IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS TODAY, YOU'RE SURE OF A BIG SURPRISE…
IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS TODAY, YOU'D BETTER GO IN DISGUISE
FOR EVERY CACHER THAT EVER THERE WAS, WILL GATHER THERE FOR SEARCHIN'
BECAUSE TODAY'S THE DAY THE CACHERS GO A HUNTIN'!
IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS TODAY...
YOU'RE LOOKING WHERE A CACHE MAY BE,
IT'S IN THE WOODS, THAT I'LL SAY
TRY ROOTING ROUND 'NEATH A TREE!
The TRAIL BLAZERS invites every cacher that ever there was to gather here and explore the colourful and curious Massey's Woods. Beneath the trees where nobody sees, a series of caches awaits. There’s lots of marvelous things to see and wonderful games to play. Bring your Teddy, Picnic, Waterproof Hiking Boots and play Hide and Seek for as long as you please.
The trail starts inside the barrier entrance to Massey's Estate, which is located just 50 meters below the Hell Fire Car Park, on the opposite site of the road. The trail runs alongside the gurgling banks of the Owendoher River. A network of meandering paths allows visitors to explore their surroundings along its leafy paths.
HISTORY
The wood has an interesting past historically. The vast Kilakee mansion, which was built by Luke White in 1806, once stood in the woodland and was the center of a 3,000 acre estate. In 1854 the Kilakee estate was inherited by John Massey, the 6th Baron. The Massey family sold off most of their estate in the Land Acts of the late 19th century and then squandered the proceeds. The banks took possession of Kilakee house. In 1941 the slates roof timbers and floors were removed and sold for salvage and the remaining structure was demolished.
If you go down to the woods today you’ll see evidence all-around of its history. Sir Ninian Niven, whom had previously been a director of the Botanic Gardens in Dublin, laid out two Victorian formal gardens with gravel walks, terraces and exotic trees, these were reported to have been lavishly decorated with statues of Greek and Roman gods. Remains of the lavish abandoned walled garden, enormous greenhouse, stone bridges and other relics of the estate can still be seen in the woodland park. Additionally there is a disused, ice-house, which was once used to store lamb. There are also numerous points of historical importance, including a ruined Bronze Age tomb.
The Massy (de Massey) lineage can be traced to Normandy where they were landowners in the ninth century. According to Frank Tracy’s book "If Those Trees Could Speak", the estate collapsed due to the extravagant lifestyle of the sixth Baron Massy. In 1924 Hamon Massy, who had a serious drinking problem, was evicted from Killakee House and deposited by the road on his mattress, much to the amusement of the locals. The Massey’s initially moved into the Stewards House, which can be seen across the road from the entrance, Later on this house was renamed Kilakee House. Hugh became known as the “Penniless Peer”, and was said to have been seen collecting firewood in the woods of his former family estate until his death in 1958.
This series of caches was placed in Massey's Woods with the understanding that all particpants will follow Coillte's "Leave No Trace" policy.
The principles are:
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Travel on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave what you Find
Minimise Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of other users
Please Note:
Those leaving their car in the Hell Fire Club Car Park should note that it has limited opening hours and should check the posted notice before leaving the car. A barrier system is in operation. At the time of publication, the following opening and closing times applied:
April to September: 7:00am to 9:00pm
October to March: 8:00am to 5:00pm