ABOUT THE AREA
KNOCKRAHA VILLAGE
Knockraha is part of the parish of Glounthaune which came into existence in the late eighteen hundreds, being an amalgamation of the ancient parishes of Kilquane, Ballylucra, Killaspugmillane or Ballyvinney, and Caherlag. A church council held in the twelfth century formed these parishes. The parish of Kilquane stretched from Glenmore Bridge to the centre of Watergrasshill village and was centred around the church in what is now Kilquane Cemetery. The name Knockraha, which means “The Hill of the Forts” was a collection of forts, which stood on top of what we now know as Carthy’s Hill between Knockraha East and Knockraha West. The village of Knockraha was then known as Gogginstown. In 1640 James Barry held the title of “Chief of Knockraha”. It is recorded that O’Neill’s forces burnt Knockraha and surrounding villages in reprisal for Lord Barrymore’s failure to support him against the British forces in Kinsale. The church of Kilquane was in ruins when Bishop Dives Downs visited it in 1700. The old school was closed in 1968, when a new three-roomed building was erected.
SING SING PRISON
Kilquane Cemetery is a well kept small graveyard near the East Cork village of Knockraha. But it has a dark centre. For here there is a vault, known as Sing Sing as it was used as a prison during the War of Independence from 1916 to 1921. It was highlighted in 2013 in a TV3 documentary called In the Name of the Republic. And, sadly, it seems the vault was more of a death row than a prison.
During 1919 the IRA’s struggle for independence became intensified. The British court system was breaking down all across Ireland and with the IRAs allied organisation Sinn Fein, a local system of court procedures was being formed. Members of the British Forces, spies and informers were being rounded up by the IRA and the secure holding of these parties became a considerable problem. Ned Maloney, a blacksmith in Knockraha, knew of a vault in the area which might prove useful for the detention of prisoners, this vault became the official prison of the Cork No.1 Brigade. The prison became known as ‘Sing Sing’ after the famous American prison of the same name, and Ned Maloney became the Governor of Sing Sing. Many members of the British Forces such as Black and Tans and the Cammeron regiment were held in Sing Sing. It is estimated 17 members of the Cammerons regiment, 7 Black and Tans and 11 other spies and informers were ultimately taken from Sing Sing, executed and buried in a nearby bog.
ABOUT THE CACHE
STAGE 1 - The Old Schoolhouse (now a creche in the village) - Take note of the year the old schoolhouse opened. You will need this number later.
STAGE 2 - Knockraha Church - Take note of the year the church opened.
STAGE 3 - Sing Sing Prison - Take note of the date in July 2001 that the prison was unveiled.
STAGE 4 - St. Cuain's Holy Well - Take note of the date in August 2001 that the first mass was celebrated.
You can now work out the coordinates of the final stage.
The numbers are N 51°57.A8' W008°B.6C'
You might need a piece of paper!
A = The date on the old schoolhouse MINUS the date on the church then ADD EIGHT to get A.
B = The date the Sing Sing was unveiled MINUS TWO to get B
C = The date the first mass was celebrated at the Holy Well
The cache is a small to regular sized container and is located very near Stage 4.