About the area
Castlemartyr or Baile Na Martra 'town of martyrdom' hints at the village's eventful history. Tales of sieges, hangings, wild boars, lepers, knights, Earls, illustrious and infamous names such as Sir Walter Raleigh, the Boyle Family and Oliver Cromwell have all occurred and passed through here. The area around the ruins of Ballyoughtera Church, on the bounds of this woodland, is where the original site of the village of Baile Na Martra is believed to be.
The woodland itself was once part of a larger demesne which originated around the latter end of the 17th century - a legacy to the Boyles. Further landscaping work was carried out in the late 18th century using the style of Lancelot 'Capability' Brown - a distinguished English landscape architect. Much of the ruined structures, such as the folly, were develpoed around this time. The Mansion House, now a hotel, was also built, this is visible across the golf course.
The old names of Mitchell's Wood, Barn Wood and Pigeon Wood refer to when Castlemartyr Woods were divided into various spaces, each with its own characteristics devised by different types of planting patterns but characterised by sinuous bands and clumps of trees. Today, there is a good variety of species to be found including; beech, spanish chestnut, oak and sitka spruce, hazel, alder and willow. Mammals inclue red squirrel, badger, fox, rabbits and hedgehogs along with a number of bat species.
Take some time to walk the waymarked trail that circuits the property and lets your senses absorb the sights and sounds of nature. Enjoy!
About the cache itself
The cache is located in the Castlemartyr Forest Recreation Area. Take the R632 road towards Ladysbridge from Main Street, Castlemartyr in East Cork. The entrance to the woods is just after the entrance to the Castlemartyr Resort Hotel. The cache can be found at the ruins of Ballyoughtera Church (see map at entrance to woods). It is a regular sized container.
GOOD LUCK!