Route 9 to Acton Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Cuilcagh: The cache owner is not responding to issues with this geocache, so I must regretfully archive it.

Please note that if geocaches are archived by a reviewer or Geocaching HQ for lack of maintenance, they are not eligible for unarchival.

Cuilcagh - Community Volunteer Reviewer for Geocaching HQ (Ireland)

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Hidden : 12/10/2004
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

A longish walk by the old Newry canal, to Lough Shark in County Armagh. 3m/5km (round trip), asphalt pathway throughout, no gradients. Cycle-friendly, and should be suitable for enterprising wheelchair users. PLEASE REPLACE AS YOU FOUND IT BYOP

The Newry canal dates from 1731. Lough Shark - as it is known to everyone except the Civil Service, who prefer to call it "Acton Lake" - was (and still is) the header supply, and lies between the villages of Scarva and Poytnzpass. It is a designated ASSI, being an important wintering and passage site for wildfowl.

Directions: There are two possible starting points...

(1)The Heritage centre in Scarva: N54º19.900 W6º21.986. Park here, cross the canal by the footbridge behind the centre and turn South. This is a slightly longer walk than...
(2)Poyntzpass: Park on the verge E of the level crossing at Canal Bank Road: N54º17.525 W6º22.307, cross Railway Street (carefully) and find the clearly-signed cycleway heading North.

Click HERE for a map of the area (Multimap.com).

NOTE: It is NOT possible to access the cache location by parking on the A27 Tandragee Road to the west - the main Dublin/Belfast railway line interposes and cannot be crossed to this point.

The setting: Now disused, this waterway was the first summit-level canal in the British Isles. There is an excellent article on the canal and its history by Brian Cassells HERE.

The walk to the cache is along part of NCN9 - a route in the Sustrans National Cycle Network. Although nominally traffic-free, the path IS used by agricultural and other vehicles for access, so be aware of this, whether walking or cycling to the cache.


The lough is an important wintering ground for Whooper Swans cygnus cygnus. Great Crested Grebes, Mute Swans, geese and other wildfowl can be seen at various times of the year.
The path and the canal do not form part of the ASSI area, but please respect the resident wildlife and avoid undue disturbance nonetheless.

There is a visitor centre about 200m north of the cache location, on the site of the original lock-keeper's cottage at Acton. As with all such facilities in Northern Ireland, its times of opening defy prediction.

The cache: The Cache has been replaced with a smaller container as the old one seemed to find legs and walk. When replacing the cache, please make a final check that it is not visible from any direction.

 

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Jverq..

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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