A cache by TeamShannagh Message this owner

Hidden : 2/17/2012

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Kayaker's Cache - The Launches

Strangford Lough

Strangford Lough is one of the largest sea loughs in Great Britain and Ireland and is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which makes it a popular attraction for both visitors and locals. The Lough is also internationally recognised for its importance to marine life and is a Special Protection Area and is the largest Marine Nature Reserve in the United Kingdom. The Loughs old name was "Cuan", meaning "safe harbour" but the treacherous tides that flow here possibly inspired the Viking invaders to name the Lough the "Strangfjorthr", meaning a place of strong currents. (Thanks go to David Thompson from The National trust for this explanation.) The west side of the Strangford Lough is a maze of submerged drumlin hills forming over 100 islands and rock pladdies although, according to legend there are 365 islands in the Lough, one for each day of the year.

The Launches

Long Launches and Little Launches are a pair of islands east of Salt Island. People can sometimes be spotted collecting shellfish on the mudflats. From the islands' shores you have some fantasic views up the lough and also across to Salt Island and Green Island.

While placing the cache we spotted a couple of seals nearby and you may be lucky enough to spy Irish Hares running along the shores. In the spring and summer months please do not disturb any nesting birds on the islands.

Access Points - Strangford Canoe Trail

For The Launches:

Delamont Country Park (GR513 601)

Killyleagh (GR531 525)

Other access points are:

Cunningburn (GR538 704)

Kircubbin (GR596 628)

Island Reagh (GR525 645)

Whiterock (GR524 627)

Ringhaddy (GR536 585)

Horse Island (GR600 609)

Castle Ward (GR574 498)

Strangford (GR589 497)

Portaferry (GR595 503)

The Cache

This is a two stage multi cache placed on the two Launches Islands (Little Launches and Long Launches). Stage 1 is at the published co-ordinates on Little Launches and is a small container. It contains the co-ordinates for the second stage. Stage 2 is placed on Long Launches and is a small tablock box containing log book and swaps.

At low tide the Islands are dried out and it is possible to walk between the two islands to complete the cache. The cache has been placed with the kind permission of The National Trust.