Delgany (Irish: Deilgne, meaning "Thorny Place") is a village in County Wicklow on the R762 road between Greystones and the N11 road at the Glen of the Downs. Delgany is mentioned occasionally in the annals of the 7th and 8th centuries. After the Danes began their raids, they founded Dublin in 841 and its satellites Dalkey and Wicklow very soon afterwards.
The first stop is at N53 07.967 W006 05.334 Christ Church Church of Ireland Parish Church, built by Peter La Touche at a cost of £5,000. It was designed by Whitmore Davis and is a light Gothic building with a steeple rising 30m. over the Western entrance, containing a clock and bell. A stone tablet bearing the La Touche family arms is inserted beneath the dial plate of the clock. The interior is of a very pleasing design and contains a splendid monument to the memory of David La Touche, Peter’s father. Fashioned in white marble, it was executed by the famous Irish sculptor, John Hickey. (Clue: The plaque over the main doorway bears a date: the 2nd number = "A").
The Old Burial Ground at N53 07.953 W006 05.562 is an early Christian settlement dating back to the 7th century. (Note: the grounds are only open to the public during daylight hours (about 10am-5pm); but this does not affect the cache. However, it is worth a quick visit if you get a chance to go in) Delgany’s medieval relic, a monumental high cross stands here, head missing, standing granite shaft with inscription of a prayer survives. The ruins of the 13th century church, which was used until 1789 and the baptismal font can still be seen. St. Moghoróg, a contemporary of St. Augustine, is reputed to have had a religious cell here in the 6th century. It is recorded that he attended St. Kevin on his death bed in Glendalough in 618. Tombstones throughout the burial ground, all ranging from the 1700’s are mostly in limestone and Wicklow granite and all tombstones face east and are easier to read at 12 noon. (Clue:the number of intact spikes on the double gates = "B")
Carmelite Monastery Delgany at N53 08.094 W006 05.472 has been home to a community of Carmelite Nuns since 1844. Due to an historical need, a National School with places for 200 was opened at the Monastery in 1846. Teaching is not a normal activity of a Carmelite Monastery. However, due to prevailing circumstances, the nuns became the teachers. The average attendance was 70-100. The charge being 1 penny per week “for those who could afford it”. The school remained open until 1896. A new Monastery was opened in 2005.The Church was built in 1851 and opened on the Feast of St. Teresa on October 1st 1853. (Clue: The number of statues under the giant crucifix in the grounds = "C")
St. Laurence's National School at N53 08.464 W006 05.154 was founded in 1977 as the population of Greystones was growing. New estates such as Kindlestown, Applewood Heights, Rathdown Park, Hillside and Kenmare were being built at the time. The school was co-educational, and had 24 boys and 24 girls in its first year. Since then there has always been more boys than girls. The school currently caters for over 500 children and has about 30 Teachers. (Clue: Ciara O'Flynn's memorial reads "19DE - 200F")
Kindlestown Castle at N53 08.505 W006 05.330 A Medieval castle possibly dating back to the 9th century although no datable finds have been made to confirm this. The castle appears to have been occupied into the 18th century. Excavation also established that the south and west walls represented a replacement wall built in the 19th century. Kindlestown has connections back in 1020 with Ugaire, son of Douling, King of Leinster and Citric, Norse King of Dublin. In September 1649, Cromwell arrived. His soldiers stayed in Killincarrig Castle. The locals stole Cromwell’s favourite horse which enraged him, this being easily achieved. He stormed off to Kindlestown Castle and ransacked it. (Clue: Number of vertically shaped holes/windows, of all sizes, on the top storey only, in the front wall of the castle ruins, as visible from the gate on the road = "G")
Co-ordinates for the cache location: N53 '08.(D-E)(A)[(F-D)+1] W006 '05.(G-1)(B)(C+1)
When you have found the cache, you can go back the route you came; or follow the road you are on to the "T" junction at the end and turn left: this is the main road back to the village. Note: there are no footpaths for most of it, so walk on the righthand side so you are visible to oncoming traffic
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