GC3EZ5D The Gearagh-do you know what is pignut? (Multi-cache) in Munster, Ireland created by ilucic&armmo

This cache has been archived.

Cuilcagh: The cache owner is not responding to issues with this geocache, so I must regretfully archive it.

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Cuilcagh - Community Volunteer Reviewer for Geocaching HQ (Ireland)

GC3EZ5D ▼

A cache by ilucic&armmo Message this owner

Hidden : 3/19/2012

Difficulty:

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Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:

We created this cache to show you really unusual and interesting place- The Gearagh- former alluvial forest which was formed in the basin of the Lee at the end of the Ice age. Enjoy the walk in this different woodland and we hope you will be amazed by beauty and wide variety of flora and fauna there. (This is going to be like a little introduction course into wild plants of Ireland too- that’s part of this cache idea!)
Finding the cache should take around 1 hour and will be quite exciting experience.It consists of 3 parts all together. Enjoy!Don’t forget to print the pictures of plants- so that you can recognise them in the nature for a little wildlife school! Good walking boots or wellingtons recommended!
Little info about first part of the cache- you will be looking for a seed pod! Further information about cache- in the first find!Good luck with hunting!

The Gearagh

Three miles from Macroom on the Road to Inchigeelagh, there is an area of former alluvial forest which was formed in the basin of the Lee at the end of the Ice age. This is called the Gearagh, an old Irish name for a wooded river.This site is located on the River Lee in County Cork, extending westwards and southwards from the Lee Bridge, which is about 1.5km south of Macroom. It extends for about 7km of river, to Dromcarra Bridge. The Gearagh occupies a wide, flat valley of the River Lee, on a bed of limestone overlain with sand and gravel. The adjacent valley walls are of Old Red Sandstone. This unusual area has formed where the River Lee breaks into a complex network of channels (2 to 6m wide) weaving through a series of wooded islands. It is the only extensive remains of Alluvial Forest found in western Europe. It was described by a 17th historian as " an immense plain covered with trees and divided by the River Lee into 1,000 islands". It is a unique place of streams, narrow channels and small islands. Here are found some very rare plant and insect specimens which have been investigated and recorded by famous naturalists and scientists since the 19th century. There are 100's of species of flowers, plants and ferns. During the autumn and winter months migratory birds arrive in vast numbers and flocks of wild duck, snipe, woodcock, curlew, lapwing and swans can be seen on the islands. With foxes, stoats and otters in abundance the area is a treasure trove of wildlife.
It is said that a thousand people could spend a week in the Gearagh without meeeting each other.The most famous inhabitant was a man named Sean Rua na Gaortha (Red Sean of the Gearagh) who "robbed the rich to help the poor" and whose daring exploits and miraculous escapes are part of the folklore of the area. However it is certain that he was hunted continually by the Militia, but always seemed to elude them in his home territory of the Gearagh, and by all accounts he lived to a great age and died in bed. In latter years the Gearagh has achieved a certain amount of fame as a source of poitÍn or Irish Mountain Dew. This is an illegal and highly potent alcoholic brew.
Nature Reserve
In 1987 the area was declared a statutory nature reserve with the co-operation of the E.S.B. who own the land. The water level in the Gearagh is controlled by the hydro-electric dam at Carrigadrohid. There are several well signposted walks through the Gearagh and it makes an ideal location for those seeking relaxation and peace. Despite the fact that about half the original area has been destroyed the Gearagh still represents the only extensive alluvial woodland in Ireland or Britain, or indeed Western Europe west of the Rhine. The international importance of the site is recognised by its designation both as a Ramsar site and as a Biogenetic Reserve. The reservoir is also a Wildfowl Sanctuary.
Native trees grow extensively on a dry alluvium of limestone overlain with sand and gravel.Species include ash,pedunculate oak and birch,with the understorey of holly, hawthorn, hazel and water-loving species such as alder and willow.
The ground vegetation includes wood anemone, ramson, bugle, pignut and Irish spurge.
The Gearagh is different experience from other woodland walks as it carries mainly native species.While some areas are inaccesible, it is worth seeking out and there are a number of waymarked walks.

The information taken from Donal Magner book „Stopping by woods” and www.2009.inchigeelagh.net

How to get there- Take the N22 southeast of Macroom for about 2km and veer right on yhe R584. The entrance is on the left after 2.5 km. (OS Discovery Map No. 79; grid reference W 329 713.)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

1.Uvag sbe fgntr 1-Vg'f abg n frrq bs gur npghny cynag (ovt rabhtu cynag) jurer vg'f ba-naq gur frrq vf tbbq fvmr! 2. Uvag sbe svany fgntr- cvpgher "gur orapu" zvtug or urycshy! Naq gur ahzore bs vgrzf zragvbarq va qrfpevcgvba (jura lbh trg gur yrggre sbe svany fgntr) pbhyq or 6 be 7 vafgrnq bs 5. Qrcraqf ubj lbh pbhag gurz!

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)

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The Gearagh-do you know what is pignut? Multi-Cache

This cache has been archived.

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Geocache Description:

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