Narrow Water Castle Traditional Cache
Cuilcagh: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.
Regards
Regards
Cuilcagh - Volunteer Ireland Reviewer
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This is little more than a cache and dash located in the amienty area near Narrow Water Castle.
Don't park at the roundabout as it is dangerous and there is no access to the cache anyway. Please park in the layby near the tower (waypoint added)
Look over at the water and imagine a ship teeming with soldiers ploughing towards you. Now you know why Narrow Water Castle was built here on this rocky outcrop. At the very narrowest part of Carlingford Lough between the granite bastions of the Mournes and the volcanic crags of Slieve Foy, it's the best place to defend the approach to Newry. Even before this tower was built there were others on this spot. Marauding Vikings sailed out from a fort here to pillage local areas. Norman knight Hugh DeLacy built a castle here along with Greencastle further along the coast.
The existing towerhouse was built in the 1560s by English soldier John Sancky but was soon taken over by the Magennises, the powerful Irish clan who ruled much of South Down. They were well protected. Even if attackers could make their way over the walls they would meet arrows fired from the windows (which were smaller then) Even if they managed to breach the entrance they still risked death from rocks hurled down from the "murder hole" on the first floor.
In 1670 ownership of the castle passed to the Hall family, who built Warrenpoint. They moved after building a much grander Narrow Water Castle across the road which they still own.
The cache is a small tablock box. Enjoy 
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
gerr