Aoibhell agus Dál gCais Traditional Cache

Some of the Sidhe in times of old would take a fondness for one particular family, protecting it and helping it rise in the world, and so it was with the O'Briens, who were known as the Dál gCais, or the Dalcassians. Their fairy guardian was called Aoibhell, whose name means burning ardour or beauty, depending on who you ask.

She had herself a harp of shimmering gold, whose music was too beautiful for mortal ears, and anyone who heard it would die soon after. She played that harp for Brian Ború on the eve of his great battle with the Vikings, telling him that although he would be victorious, his life would be forfeit, and so it was.

Story continued in "Aoibhell agus Dubhlaing uí Artigan"

This is the first of six caches in the twin-villages of Ballina, County Tipperary, and Killaloe, County Clare, which face each other across an 18th-century bridge. A bonus seventh one, large enough for trackables and more, can be found only by locating all of the six. Each cache contains a piece of a standard DMS (Degrees, Minutes, Seconds) latitude, longitude coordinate when combined give the location of the seventh.

1. Aoibhell agus Dál gCais
2. Aoibhell agus Dubhlaing uí Artigan
3. Aoibhell agus Cú Chulainn
4. Aoibhell agus an chúirt meán oíche
5. Aoibhell agus Cliona
6. Aoibhell agus Kincora
7. Carraig Aoibhell (bonus)

Each cache could be handled as a quick park-n-grab, or taken as a nice walk through the two villages starting at "Aoibhell agus Dál gCais'" and stopping for tea at any of the fine coffee houses as a treat after finding the final one at "Aoibhell agus Kincora". The total distance is approximately 1.6 km one way (3 km round trip) starting from the playground parking, meandering along the lake on the Ballina side before strolling across the bridge and traipsing through Killaloe.

The cache at "Aoibhell agus Dál gCais" is a small magnetic key box. Bring your own pencil. Enjoy the hunt!