PLEASE NOTE: This cache is very near another cache, "The Workhouse" by sarahmur. To find my cache, you will be in a forest, beside a river. If you are on a road, you are in the wrong place!
FOR SAFETY REASONS, THIS CACHE IS NOT ADVISED AT NIGHT.
The cache is hidden in Loughlinstown Wood, a proposed Natural Heritage Area consisting of semi-natural woodland along the banks of the Shanganagh (or Loughlinstown) River.
Shanganagh River
The Shanganagh river system is the largest river catchment in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, draining an area of about 40 km2 between the eastern slopes of the Dublin Mountains and the sea. The northern branch includes the Ballyogan Stream, the Carrickmines Stream and the Foxrock Stream; the southern branch is the Bride's Glen stream. These two branches pass separately under the N11 road at Loughlinstown to meet here in this woodland setting, before continuing the last 1.5 km to flow over the rocky shore to the sea between Killiney and Shankill.
The river is fast-flowing following rain, and has been known to burst its banks and flood houses and gardens on the other side of Common's Road (most recently in 2011).
Loughlinstown Wood
Along the sandy floor of the valley (the narrow flood-plain of the river) is an example of wet alder woodland. Semi-natural woodland consisting of deciduous trees such as beech, elm and sycamore line the sloping sides of the valley. The wood is a proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA).
Unfortunately, because of its proximity to a housing estate, the area suffers from dumping and burning of litter.
Access
If you come here by car, please don't try to access the cache from the N11. There is nowhere to park on the southbound N11. If you do find parking across the road on the northbound side, do not attempt to cross the road except at the traffic lights as it is extremely dangerous. If you use the suggested parking waypoint (access via Loughlinstown Drive) do not leave any valuables on view. Not recommended at night.
If you come by bus or bicycle, the handiest way is to use the pedestrian gate from the N11.
The Cache The cache is a simple two-stage multi. If you follow the waypoints, you'll be on paths to within a few feet of each stage. You shouldn't have to get your feet wet. If the area is flooded come back another day! Please be careful with pets and children as the path to Stage 1 runs right along the water's edge, and the river can be quite fast-flowing after rain.
Stage 1
The first stage is at the meeting of the waters, where the northern branch (St Bride's Stream) and the southern branch (Bride's Glen Stream) of the Shanganagh River join. It's a black cylinder hanging from the ivy, sheltered under a broken overhanging branch of a big ash tree (see picture). This contains the co-ordinates for the final.
Final
The final stage is upstream, same side of the river. The cache is nestled in the ivy in the low fork of a beech tree (see picture).