Kanturk Copper Mine Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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A good climb to Kanturk copper mine
Description
The mine, located on the north face of Kanturk Mountain, has been long abandoned along with the ruins of a small village in the Inchavore valley at the head of lough Dan. The cache is located close to the entrance of the mine and it is not necessary to go into the mine to get this cache. Given the unstable nature of such a structure, it would not be advisable to enter or climb into the mine without an appropriate level of experience.
The accent up to the cache from the valley floor is steep and the underfoot conditions are uneven with holes in the terrain making progress slow. A hiking stick would be an advantage but not necessary. When you get to the location, there are great views of the Inchavore Valley, Lough Dan and Knocknacloghoge Mountain. On your way up to the cache you may pass another access point to the body of the mine which would have allowed the miners to crawl into the mining area and gives an insight into the difficult and dangerous lengths that the people were required to go to in order to eke out an existence. The Lough Dan House website has the following snippet of local history which gives some information into the activities of the people who lived here:
“The Inchavore valley contains the ruins of several houses, the last one was vacated as recently as 1964, on the slopes above the valley is the remains of some old copper mines, which closed in the 1850s. As you enter the Valley, on your left is the ruins of a house which was occupied by a family named “Smiths”, in 1867 the family perished in an avalanche which destroyed most houses in the settlement. They were the last people to die in an avalanche in Ireland”
When we placed this cache is was a bright November Saturday morning with deep blue skies made golden with autumnal sunshine that created an atmosphere of natural beauty and stillness. Good for the soul, good for the heart, good for the head, enjoy!
Getting there
This cache can be accessed from a number of directions and can take in a number of other caches in the area including A Walk in the Garden – Kanturk or Brown Mountain GC 2CYDQ, A Walk in the Garden – Pier Gates to Lough Dan GC11WF2. For the most direct route that doesn’t involving travelling across too much mountain heather, drive to the area known as Oldbridge outside of Roundwood Village and follow the road passing a Scouting centre on the right and park in an area further along the road on the left hand side N53 3.636 W6 16.622; this is a popular spot for walkers accessing the Wicklow hills.
Walk along the road, marked as cul de sac, heading west. When you reach the co-ordinates N53 4.005 W6 17.195, proceed through a small gate on the right hand side on the route labelled ‘Agreed Access Route Kanturk. Follow the path uphill and you will take in some excellent views of Lough Dan, you will pass a granite seat dedicated to the memory of Ronnie Petrie on your left hand side at co-ordinates N53 4.265 W6 17.178. Proceed along the path and you will reach another small gate. Approximately 10 meters after the little gate you will reach a rough country road used to access the Inchavore valley, follow this road downhill until you arrive at the valley.
Care
Hiking boots / Wellies are advised for this trip as the way can get quite muddy and a hiking stick might be a good idea. Please make sure you have proper rain clothing, maps and compass etc and ensure all gates are securely closed after accessing them.
Please make sure that the hide stones are put back in place after you have been there, thank you.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
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