The pathway known to Shannon residents as the Slí na Mara boreen that skirts the eastern base of Tullyvarraga Hill was the original and only routeway into the area occupied by the modern town. The 1840 first edition ordnance survey map shows a number of clusters of farm buildings dotted along its route. The 1901 and 1911 censuses tell us that families called Mc Inerney, McNamara, Jones, Hastings, Minahan, Keyes and O’Gorman were living in Tullyvarraga.
Of these only Murphy’s thatched cottage remains (formerly Power’s cottage) currently operating as a restaurant. Power’s cottage (Murphy’s cottage) in Tullyvarraga was the venue for Saturday night set dancing many years ago. Local musicians would come in or else music was played on a gramophone.
East from Powers cottage there were a number of other buildings according to the 1842 survey maps. O’Gormans Cottage which was knocked down in the 1980’s as it was derelict. O’Gormans Cottage consisted of a cottage and two out buildings. The one on the west side was occupied by a potter and the other by 2nd Clare Scouts and is shown above. This treasure trail tracks back NE towards the 1st Clare Scout hall who laid this trail down.
Our cache is located at a secret garden, its location is below but you need to complete the coordinates with the following little quiz:
N 52 42.A74 W 08 52.3B7
A: At O'Gormans cottage what is left of the property?
6: Some walls of the house
7: A large Pillar
8: Only the garden wall.
B: At Powers Cottage, they now serve mostly?
6: Fine steaks
7: Bacon and Cabbage
8: Pizza and Chips.
You can enter the garden if you wish but you need to ask for the key