This cache has been placed in memory of our dog Toby who spent alot of his time walking, playing and exploring on this beach!
The location of this cache was chosen as it is my home area and I thought, what better place to put it then on the scenic Aughacasla beach. Aughacasla is a small townland located on the road to Dingle, inbetween Camp and Castlegregory.
Aughacasla is overlooked by Caherconree, an 835m mountain. Caherconree is the historical reference point for many places around the area including the Finglass river (Camp) and a rock feature situated on top of the mountain called 'Fin MacCool's Chair'. Fionn mac Cumhaill was a mythical hunter-warrior of Irish mythology.
Caherconree was once home to Cú Roí, a magician, who became embroiled in battle with Cúchulainn (the warrior) over a lovely lady named Bláthnat, whom Cú Roí captured and imprisoned in the stone fort. To safeguard against attack at night the magician made the fort spin around so his enemies could not find the entrance. However, Bláthnat’s love for Cúchulainn was greater than the evil Cú Roí’s magic and they plotted the demise of Cú Roí.
Bláthnat flattered Cú Roí by telling him he deserved a bigger fort so he sent his warriors out to gather more stones for the enlargement. Bláthnat hid Cú Roí’s weapons as he slept and poured milk into the stream that runs down the mountain. Cúchulainn and his men upon seeing the stream turn white knew that it was time to attack. They succeeded in their attack, slaughtering Cú Roí and reuniting the lovers.
Cúchulainn and Bláthnat, unfortunately, did not live happily ever after. Cú Roí’s poet Ferchertne, encountered Bláthnat along a mountain path, grabbed her and jumped off the cliff, avenging Cú Roí. They were buried at the foot of the cliff, at a place still known as “The Mound of Blaithne and Feirceitne”. Cúchulainn was mortally wounded by Cú Roí’s son Lugaid, and died bound to a standing stone in Co. Louth, “the Great Man’s Stone”.