Seal Rocks Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

ilucic,armmo&mini: Will have to remove this one unfortunately, not getting out to do maintenance often, so has to go.

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Hidden : 4/9/2012
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:




This traditional, small size cache is located in Blue Pool Park – Poulgorm- a beautiful public area in the heart of the Glengarriff village. It is all accessible by foot from a number of points and is an ideal place for exploring and relaxing for all ages. It takes in the two ferry departure points within the village – the pier and The Blue Pool –together with several shore side trails and loop walks. The Blue Pool is a magical harbour hidden in the middle of Glengarriff. Pedestrian access to the blue pool is beside Quills in the centre of the village. The blue pool is formed where the river meets the sea, a wonderful rocky inlet which is surrounded by lush vegetation. There are a number of beautiful walks through the woods with views of the harbour that are well worth exploring.
Of particular note is Seal Point with its magnificent stand of Scots Pine trees – the only native conifers. A regeneration programme within this area has also identified a number of ancient sites and it is hoped to develop these in the future. Seal Point is also a particularly good viewpoint for all of the inner harbour, highlighting the Seal Colony and it is a popular traditional bathing area.

Seals

Common and grey seals can often be seen basking in Bantry Bay and on the rocks around Garinish Island in Glengarriff harbour.
Common seals prefer to feed on fish, both bottom-dwelling and free-swimming, and some invertebrates in narrow channels near the mouths of bays. At low tide they haul out onto skerries (rocky islets and reefs) or sand banks to rest and digest their food. Common seals are gregarious, preferring to live in groups, probably made up of related animals. Around Ireland, common seals give birth during June and July. The single pup, which is able to swim within just a few minutes after its birth, suckles for between 3-6 weeks.
The grey seal is also a coastal species, though it may forage further out at sea than the common seal. It is sparsely distributed around Ireland and widely dispersed outside the breeding season. Grey seals feed on a wide variety of fish and some invertebrates. Adults congregate to form herds during the late summer to autumn breeding season. Unlike common seals, the single grey seal pup is born in white lanugo (natal coat). Lactation lasts for 2-3 weeks before the mother abandons the pup, around which time it begins to moult its lanugo. The pup spends another two weeks or so on land while it moults before entering the sea when it must learn to forage efficiently before its body fat reserves are depleted.
The colony is comprised of up to 250 seals resident in Glengarriff Harbour. The seals are very used to the Ferry’s and you will see them basking on the rocks, posing for photographs and swimming around without a care in the world.

Glengarriff


Glengarriff is a small traditional seaside town situated on Glengarriff Bay, an arm of Bantry Bay surrounded by rugged mountainside and moorland. Hence Glengarriff's name (Gleann Garbh in Irish, meaning "rough glen"). It is a major tourist venue being built on the N71 primary route, it boasts many natural and man-made attractions. This is one of Ireland's most beautifully situated villages and an area which is of special interest to naturalists, because of the very mild climate. The area also has areas of remnant forest.The economy revolves around a combination of tourism, subsistence farming and local services.
Attractions apart, of course, from the many shops, pubs, restaurants, hotels and galleries.

• Ilnacullin: Also called Garnish is a world famous 15 hectare, island garden designed by Harold Peto for its owner Annan Brice. The Island was bequeathed to the Irish State in 1953 by Roland Brice and it is now maintained by the OPW. A good example of a Martello Tower, built to guard against a threatened Napoleonic invasion that never materialized still stands and from the top glorious panoramic views are available over Bantry Bay. It also features maintained walks, an italianesque garden and a cafe. Ferries to the island from several locations usually detour to see seals basking on the bay's many rocky islets.
• Bamboo Park: A fascinating garden, originating in the late 19th. century as part of the huge Bantry estate, it has been lovingly tended and improved by Sergé and Claudine de Thibault. Featuring many unusual and semi-hardy palms, bamboos and other plants, many from the Southern Hemisphere. The garden also has delightful seaside walks.
• Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve: At one time the woods were part of Lord Bantry’s estate, but they were handed over to the State in 1955 for forestry purposes. However in 1991, the woods were designated as a Nature Reserve and the woodland is now owned and managed by The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) primarily for conservation and amenity purposes. The Nature Reserve covers some 300ha and forms one of the best examples of oceanic sessile oak woodland in Ireland, being rated second only in importance to the Killarney oakwoods. The reserve offers a number of easy and moderate walks.

Information sources: aran-lodge.com; 2009. inchigeelagh.net websites.

How to get there: If coming from Bantry direction, car park is located in the center of Glengarriff village, on the left side (Beside Quills).

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gurer fubhyq or nabgure ubyr!!!

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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