#3 of 3
Cache is outside the graveyard and does not require access - but please look around the graveyard before you leave!
Cill-Ruaidh (Church of the red). It is thought that this area is mentioned in the Annals of Ulster which references a battle in 1199.
Inside the bawn stands Kilroot House and graveyard, an early Christian ecclesiastical site and later medieval Church. There are several features that outdate the construction of Killroot house, for example a coffin burial and possibly a garden.
The ruin of the house itself is dangerous and should not be entered.
In 2002 the retaining wall of the burying ground collapsed and this was seen as a opportunity to excavate part of the grounds. I have provided the link at the bottom of this cache page to the details of the archeological dig, completed by Queens University Belfast in 2003. It is incredibly interesting and a great read for any history buffs.
A replica of a small basalt Bullaun stone can be found here, whilst the originally transported to St Colmans Church.
There are thought to be four bastions at the corners of the bawn walls. For a clue as to what a Bastion is - read the hint before you google it! Two are still partially intact and I urge you to have a nosey - but be careful and watch for nettles!
Plenty of parking spaces along this quiet road or you can park at the top and walk through to caches 1,2&3!
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/CentreforArchaeologicalFieldworkCAF/PDFFileStore/Filetoupload,180995,en.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwi1w7adx5PqAhXOMMAKHdYfDZUQ_BcwBXoECA4QPg&usg=AOvVaw1Xwi7KM0vBWh_QLjTRKuBO