The Top of the Park Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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This is one of a series of 5 caches place in Dún a Rí forest park on the outskirts of Kingscourt.
Dún a Rí forest is all designated Coillte land and as such all 5 caches have been placed in line with the "Leave no Trace" principles. Accordingly all caches are on or very close to designated walkways and will be easy finds (hidden just well enough to avoid being spotted by the casual passerby) All 5 will by found on a beautiful circular walk along the River Walk and Village Walk (starting and finishing at the carpark) The trails are all either tarmac or hardpack track with some minor elevation change and some wet areas. Following the River Walk from the carpark will get you to this cache (it will probably be your third in the series) The cache is a micro container with bright green tape containing log only so please byop. Location: Dun an Rí Forest Park is located 1.5km north of Kingscourt on the R179 to Carrickmacross. History: The Forest Park embraces part of the Cabra Estate, which was formerly owned by the Pratt family. It is situated in the parish of Enniskeen, which includes a portion of the Barony of Clonee, Co. Cavan and a smaller part of the Barony of Kells, Co. Meath. The O'Reilly family ruled the area until the end of the 16th century when they were succeed by the Flemings who built Felming's Castle at Cabra in 1605. In 1666, Col. Thomas Cooch, a forebear of the Pratt family, came into possession of the estate. The 'Romantic Glen' of the Cabra River, stretching the full length of the park is an area steeped in history and legend. It is said that Cuchulain camped here at night while conducting his single-handed defense of Ulster against the armies of Queen Maeve by day. Eilis Boland who wrote the famous ballad "Doonaree" wrote about "the wishing well, beyond the chestnut tree in a shady nook, by a winding brook..." The chestnut tree still stands and is a feature of the parkland. Habitat: The park is located in an area noted for the diversity of its geological formations. The forest itself lies in a tranquil glen. Lady's lake is an artificial lake, which was fed from water passing through the old flax mill at Cabra. The Cabra River runs through the park. Forest Walks: There are a number of different walking paths in Dun an Rí. There are four walks of approximately 1.5-2km in length all with points of interest. Tree Species: The forest of Dun an Rí is 229 hectares of which 146 hectares comprises of commercial forest. Norway spruce and oak are two important species in these commercial stands. The oak trees are managed to produce a valuable veneer crop. Biodiversity: Flora - Most of the forest around the public car park is managed as an amenity wood. On the lower levels of the wood, hazel, holly and elderberry are strongly developed. In the undergrowth herb-robert, foxglove, ferns, bluebells and snowdrops thrive in season. Fauna - The Park also has an extremely varied plant community and as a result it is rich in a wide range of wild animals. Red and grey squirrels are common, as are stoats and rabbits. Mink flourish along the river and otters have been spotted occasionally. The Irish hare is a resident of the Park as is the pigmy shrew. Facilities: There are various features identified by sign posts in the course of the several planned walks These include the wishing well, (a Holy Well called Tobar na Splinne), Cromwell's Bridge, Cabra Cottage - originally the residence of the Pratt family before they moved to Cabra Castle - the flax mill, the Lady's Lake and an old ice house. The ruins of Fleming's Castle can still be seen as well as Sarah's Well. Sarah's Bridge, built in 1801, is the starting point of many of the walks in the park. Car parking is also available
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Oruvaq gur ebbg