Castleconnell is a scenic village about 12 km NE of Limerick
City. It retains its traditional rural charm and a sense of history
partly due to the ruins of the castle that gave the place its name.
The castle was once the seat of the Gunning family. Its ruinous
state is due to the Williamite army that captured Limerick in the
siege of 1691. Suspicious that the castle posed a threat to their
rule in the locality, the Williamites destroyed it with siege
cannon, leaving the remnant that stands today on an outcrop of rock
overlooking the Shannon river.
The Shannon is Castleconnell's greatest scenic asset. The
village rests on a wide bend in the river, affording wonderful
riverine views to the North and West. The view is best appeciated
from the car park near the castle (Waypoint 2). If you stand at the
wall bordering the river you will be greeted by swans and ducks
swimming eagerly towards you. Of course, their enthusiasm is for
the food you might have for them! About 200 metres downriver is a
footbridge over the Shannon, built during World War II, connecting
counties Limerick and Clare. Crossing it provides a wonderful
visual and aural experience of the thundering rapids nearby. If you
decide to come here, bring your camera!
Waypoint 1
(Coordinates above)
This location is a cul-de-sac at the northern end of a narrow
road from the village to Worrel's End (sometimes called 'World's
End', perhaps for a reason!). The road is narrow, with two sharp 90
degree bends, requiring caution. The road ends in a car park
fronting the river. Beyond this is the entrance gate to
Castleconnell Boat Club, whose members row this beautiful stretch
of the Shannon to O'Brien's Bridge, a few kilometers upriver. While
admiring the view, check the number of seats placed by the wall
behind the car park. Let the number = A. Then take note of the
number of horizontal bars in the entrance gate to the boat club.
Let this number = B.
Waypoint 2
(N52 42.723 W008 30.324)
This car park is close to the castle and the village centre. You
are greeted not only by the swans and ducks, but also by panoramic
views of the Shannon as it sweeps in a wide arc on its final
journey to the Shannon Estuary beyond Limerick. While here, count
the number of small roof structures in the playground nearby. Let
the number = C.
Waypoint 3
(N52 42.713 W008 30.374)
Near the car park is a rough-hewn stone memorial to a famous
local fisherman, who made fishing rods used by the royalty of his
day. This stretch of the Shannon has been famous for its fishing
for centuries and still attracts anglers worldwide. Take note of
the digits engraved on the plaque in the following format:
***D-**E*. Assign the inserted letters to the numbers in their
place on the stone.
The code for the cache location is: N52 4A.BD(C-1) W008
3E.(B+1)AD