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Battle of Knockavoe Traditional Cache

Hidden : 10/18/2015
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
4 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Knockavoe is the highest peak above the town of Strabane and provides wide views over Tyrone, Donegal and Derry.


Knockavoe was the scene of a battle.

Conn Bacach O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, was determined to bring the O'Donnells under his rule and made a great gathering, determined to march into Tyrconnell. Forces arrived from Munster and Connacht, together with English contingents, and brought into O'Neill's army itself were the Scoto-Irish MacDonnells of AntrimBissetts, MacSheehys and others. The forces laid siege to and took Ballyshannon Castle, and later devastated a large part of Tyrconnell.

While encamped at Knockavoe, near Strabane, Conn O'Neill's forces were surprised at night by Hugh Dubh O'Donnell and Manus O'Donnell. Hugh and Manus led their small force quietly up to the campsite and launched a surprise attack before the sentinels were aware of how matters stood, with the two forces fighting furiously in pitch darkness in the midst of the camp. After a long and fearful struggle, in which men found it hard to distinguish friend from foe, the completely unprepared O'Neills and their supporters were routed with a loss of 900 men; and O'Donnell took possession of the camp, with an immense quantity of booty.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Svaq fbzr furygre haqre n ynetr syng ebpx

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)