Kayaker's Cache - Islandmore

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.

Islandmore

Islandmore lies in Strangford Lough just to the east of Ringhaddy. It is 128 acres and is a town land in itself. Its name in Irish is An tOilean Mor meaning ‘Large Island’. It is the only year-round inhabited island, without a causeway, in Strangford Lough and is only accessible by boat. Mr Michael Faulkner and his wife Lynn McGregor live in the Blue Cabin on its shore overlooking Ringhaddy. Michael who is the son of the former Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Mr Brian Faulkner, is the author of two books (‘The Blue Cabin’ and ‘Still On The Sound’) both about life on the island and Lynn is an artist.

The island is also inhabited by livestock and we were given kind permission to place our cache by the landowner, Mr W. McFerran .

Access Points - Strangford Canoe Trail

For Islandmore:

Ringhaddy (GR536 585)

Other access points are:

Cunningburn (GR538 704)

Island Reagh (GR525 645)

Killyleagh (GR531 525)

Whiterock (GR524 627)

Delamont Country Park (GR513 601)

Castle Ward (GR574 498)

Strangford (GR589 497)

Portaferry (GR595 503)

The Cache

The cache has been placed with the kind permission of The Landowner Mr. W McFerran The final cache itself is a regular tab lock box wrapped in black tape.

The cache is a two stage multi-cache placed across the island. At the first stage you will find a micro container with the co-ords for the final cache. The second cache has a log book and swaps. Please replace the cache carefully. Remember to check on the weather conditions before attempting this cache.

Other Caches in the series

Kayaker's Cache - Salt Island

Kayaker's Cache - Darragh Island

Kayaker's Cache - Island Taggart

Kayaker's Cache - Chapel Island

Kayaker's Cache - The Launches

Kayaker's Cache - Horse Island

Kayaker's Cache - Islandmore