The posted coordinates will not bring you to the cache. They will show you an information board which is adjacent to the trailhead. There is ample car parking available near to the posted coordinates.
The information sign marks what is believed to be the gravesite of more than 250 Irish and British enlisted sailors who lost their lives when the HMS Saldanha sank in 1811. This was during one of the worst storms of the century and many vessels were sunk around the NW coast of Ire;land.
The Saldanha was built in Jarrow and was named after a naval victory against the Dutch in 1796. Captain William Pakenham was aged 29 and legend has it that he was found alive but died after receiving some poitin from local people in an attempt to revive him! He is buried at the Abbey at Rathmullan. The ship's parrot escaped by flying over the huge waves but was shot by a gamekeeper near Buncrana.
Fanad lighthouse was built in 1816 as a result of the Saldanha tragedy.
The Cache
To obtain the final coordinates of the cache look for the date of the sinking of the Saldanha.
The date is: C /AB /1811
The cache can be found at: N55 AB.C0C W7 (A+B)(A+B+C) C0C.
N.B. Dogs are not allowed on the Blue Flag area of the beach from 11.00am to 7.00pm June 1st to September 15th.