Patroness of Ireland Multi-Cache
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This multi cache brings you to St. Brigids Shrine in Upper Faughart a few miles north of Dundalk
St. Brigid was born in Faughart, two miles north-west of Dundalk around the year 450. Her father was a chieftain named Dubhtach and after the birth of Brigid her mother was sold into slavery. When Brigid reached her teens she lacked the priceless gift of a mother's care and love at a very important time of her life. As Brigid grew older she became a very beautiful and holy young woman. After St. Patrick, Brigid was the most famous of the Irish saints.
Her feast day is February 1st. In pagan Ireland Brigid was the Goddess of fire and song
St. Brigid devoted all her energy to helping the poor.
To do this, she needed contributions from anyone lucky enough to have more than the rest. Brigid had her church in Co. Kildare and the wealthiest man in that part of Ireland was the King of Leinster.
Unfortunately for the King he was also the meanest. After much pleading, he would grudgingly give her little, and only then, to be rid of her. One particular day, he refused to give her anything at all. The Saint needed help for her poor more than ever so she asked the King "At least give me as much land as my cloak covers".
This seemed to the King to be a reasonable price to pay to be rid of the pest, so he agreed. The four sisters of Saint Brigid each took a corner of her cloak and in turn each walked in the different point on the compass. Magically the cloth expanded at their feet. As they kept pulling the cloth, it kept expanding more and more. Soon the cloth covered an area of almost an acre. The King could not believe his eyes and asked for an explanation. "Stop said the King. "Call your Maidens back and I will get you a decent plot and more help in the future". The Saint agreed. The King gave her some acres, fearing a repeat of the cloak’s miraculous qualities
In Faughart today St. Brigid's Shrine is visited by hundreds of people from all over Ireland.
There are various large shaped smybolic stones, that people touch and pray around. They firmly believe that St. Brigid’s powers are within those stones and can cure their ailments. People often visit the old church, to pray to St. Brigid. People fetch Holy Water from the running stream for it is clear and pure, just like St. Brigid was.
This water will keep them healthy and safe forever in their family homes
The cache
This is a multi cache which will give the finder the opportunity to explore this shrine in honor of our patroness
Stage 1 There is ample parking outside the shrine. The coordinates bring you to an alter honoring St Brigid. On the way up to it count the number of statues surrounding the steps. Call this number A
Stage 2 Go to N54 03.264 W006 23.787 This will bring you to the top of the Shrine. At this stage add the numbers on the 3 railings together. Call this number B
Stage 3 Follow the small path downhill to N54 03.178 W006 23.890 following the stations of the cross. What is the number of the last station before you cross the road. Call this number C
The stage 3 coordinates take you to the alter at the bottom of the shrine. Find the number of the "headstone" in this area (you'll understand when you get there) Call this number D
Stage 4 The final location is at N54 03.(B-A)(D-C)(C-5) W006 23.((D+A)-B)C(C-A)
The cache is a small tablock box. The cache is hidden behind greenery, you DO NOT have to move any stones. St Brigid's Shrine is a very popular destination for all manner of people so please be discreet when logging the find.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
va gur vil, jurer gur jnyy trgf gnyy
Treasures
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