Ballinvreena Thyme Traditional Cache
Cuilcagh: The cache owner is not responding to issues with this geocache, so I must regretfully archive it.
Please note that if geocaches are archived by a reviewer or Geocaching HQ for lack of maintenance, they are not eligible for unarchival.
Cuilcagh - Community Volunteer Reviewer for Geocaching HQ (Ireland)
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Ballinvreena Lime Kiln
The original container and now current container, was a Thyme Herb Container...hence the Cache title & word play on "Time". For another interesting Thyme Reference see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BNE7gIerwg.
On the main L1511 Kilfinane to Garryspilane road there is a crossroads with signs for the Ballinvreena community centre which you take, follow the road untill you come to the Lime Kiln and Community Centre, there is ample Parking. Be sure to read the Information display and have a look at Davy's Cottage which was built before 1841.
Lime burning once provided an important role in providing fertilizer and building materials in rural areas. Usually Associated with limestone areas, the Ballinvreena Lime kiln is unusual because this is considered to be a red sandstone area. However, local folklore, passed to Mike Reilly from Jimmy Lehane, indicates that it was quarried from the area 1km above the kiln stream where today a large chasm exists and which is alongside you on the waymarked & stiled walk uphill .
Its worth recording the same folklore that it was a wealthy local man with a lot of strong horses, who in order to take the path away from drinking was advised by his doctor to find a occupation and so he built the kiln and used the horses to draw the stone down to the kiln and sell/transport the lime. Limestone was quarried into small stones on the mountain and transported by his horses to the top of the kiln, where it was unloaded into the top with layers of fuel wood and stones and a fire lit beneath it from the "eye" of the kiln from where the air was drawn, which is the arch at the front. The burnt stone, now turned to lime from the heat of the fire was drawn. Normally the kiln would have been kept burning for days.
The lime was used as a fertilizer and mixed with sand to make lime mortar for building or whitwashing the local cottages. The limekiln was erected for local use. By the middle of the 20th century , limekilns had largely gone out of use because the bulk availability of lime through hardware and agricultural stores. The local community now owns the limekiln in Ballinvreena. For more info on lime kilns, see https://ballincollig.wordpress.com/limekilns/.
Slievereagh 465M Mountain
There is also nice walk uphill (Dogs must be on leads as there is usually livestock in the fields) with stiles, steps etc just at the right hand side side of the Kiln, feel free to follow the path upto the forestry road and back down again or take the a loop back around by keeping right all the way around to the Limerick Animal Welfare compound and right again to the Kiln (5km). You can also reach the Slievereagh Geocache (approx 3km) by going left at the forest Road and follow it around untill it comes to a dead end but you will see a Ballyhoura Bears arrow pointing to a path to the right, follow this narrow path for approx 2km and it will bring you directly to the Pinnacle and Trig Point. There is a sign in Book in a Biscuit Tin just underneath the Kings Throne. You will need Boots and in wet or winter conditions you may need wellies.
Rambling House
2nd Wednesday of each month from September until May @ 8.30 pm. Storytelling, songs etc.
Crossroad Dancing
Crossroad Dancing in Ballinvreena runs from May through till September; 8pm until 10pm on Sundays. There is an outdoor stage at the rear of Davies cottage and if the weather does not permit out door dancing then the stage in Ballinvreena hall is used. "Dancing at the Crossroads" was a popular cultural activity where Irish music, song and dance was performed in the open during summer months. These crossroads dances were held throughout Ireland until the 1960's and represented the popular entertainment for country people. Crossroads dancing was revived locally by the people of Ballinvreena , who were led by such community-spirited people as Jimmy Lehane. Now during the summer months, people gather at Ballinvreena for crossroads dancing and to continue to enjoy a tradition begun by their ancestors many generations ago.
Cush Earthworks
For an extra attraction, continue on past the Hall approx 1km to N 52° 23.105 W 008° 26.698 and you can park at the entance to the Cush Earthworks on your left, again in wet or winter conditions you will need wellies or at a minimum boots to walk the 1km approx upto the ring forts.
Between1934 and 1935, a team of archaeologists under Professor Seán Ó Riordáin excavated a nationally important complex of field enclosures and mountains in an area about 300 metres west of here known as Cush. Overlooking the fertile plains of East Limerick; their discoveries unearthed a group of iron age agricultural communities dating from about 1000BC to 400AD. On the southern side, six ring forts (ancient enclosed farmsteads) were joined with a large rectangular enclosure. Seventy rotary querns, a Bronze Age urn, glass beads and iron slag were found , as well as cremated burials and a burial ground containing cremated remains in decorated urns were also found from the Bronze age (3500 to 5500 years ago)
Their discoveries provided evidence of a sophisticated farming society - some of whose descendants , perhaps, still farm in the area today. The country - folk once commonly believed that Cush was a focal point for strange lights at night. Other pre historic ring forts in the fields below were believed to have been inhabited by leprechauns, and by some by mystical means, provided by access to the Otherworld
Staker Wallace
On 21 April 1798, Staker Wallace (Martinstown GAA Club are known as the Stakers) was publicly flogged at a cattle fair here at Ballinvreena. He was hanged, drawn and quartered in July 1798 in the nearby town of Kilfinane, see http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/history-heritage/pages-in-history/an-mangaire-sugach-the-li/local-historical-events/kilfinane-1st-feb.-1947/ Faction Fighting
Faction Fighting also occurred here on Fair Days.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Vs lbh qner gb srry gb gur yrsg...gurer or 'gulzr' va gur rlr bs gur yvzr.
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