Clonfeacle
In 1597, field commander Lord Burgh on behalf of the Dublin government had built a new fort on the river Blackwater. The fort was intended to facilitate later military excursions into county Tyrone. Soon after it was built the Earl of Tyrone (O'Neill) laid siege to it. In 1598, with the besieged garrison still intact but running precariously low on supplies, the Dublin government debated at length whether to abandon the fort, for the reason that its location was too far into O'Neill's home territory to be sustainable. Commander Henry Bagenal, experienced at fighting Ulstermen, argued the fort should be re-supplied and was appointed to lead the expedition. About 4,000 troops were assigned to the expedition, a large number in those days.
St. Jarlath's church is built on an early ecclesiastical site which according to the Tripartite Life of St Patrick was visited by Patrick himself, who installed St Jarlath as Priest. The monastic site is believed to have been founded in the 6th century Lugaidh. Clonfeacle is mentioned in the Annals of Ireland by the Four Masters for the year 1003. Most of the Irish who fell in the battle would have been buried here.
The cache is a 30mm long cylinder hidden from view and is close to St Jarlath's church along the footpath outside the church. Bring a pen, parking is right alongside the cache.