All At Sea Mystery Cache

The Area

St John's Point is one of Ireland's longest promontories and gives unparalleled views of Donegal Bay, The Blue Stack Mountains and Slieve League. The point has a limestone landscape giving it the distinction of being called "Donegal's answer to the Burren". The area is therefore rich in plant life and is particularly noted for its range of wild orchids that thrive in the marchy conditions. In the locality, you will find the remains of times long gone. Everything from standing stones to an old castle. From an old Friary, to no less than twelve ring forts.

From Donegal Library.ie:

St. John's Point is at the end of a narrow peninsula which juts into Donegal Bay, south of the village of Inver. The Lighthouse at St. John's Point provides a vital service to the fishermen of southwest Donegal, along with its sister lighthouses on Rathlin O'Beirne Island and on Rotten Island at the entrance to Killybegs harbour.

The lighthouses of the Irish coast have been automated for some years, but Kinnfaela (T. C. McGinley) in his book The Cliff-scenery of south-western Donegal published in 1867 gives us an entertaining account of what it was like to visit here in a more gracious era. Having arrived at the St. John's Point Lighthouse he tells us that "we need not be backward in ringing the bell, for Mr. Brunelle is exceedingly courteous to visitors" and then enters

"the front yard, beautifully paved with fine brown sandstone, and kept at all times scrupulously clean. In this yard stands the lighthouse, a lofty circular tower, with a balcony round it near the top, and roofed in dome-like form. The walls near the top supporting the dome consist of large plates of glass, through which the blaze from the reflectors within are transmitted in all directions".

St. John's Point is the most southerly part of southwest Donegal and from the precincts of the Lighthouse on even a halfway decent day one can take in all that Donegal Bay has to offer. To the south is the costline of Sligo and North Mayo, with the island of Inishmurray, rich in archaeological remains, and Streedagh Point where the Spanish Armada came to grief. Looking north one can see right into Killybegs Harbour, and watch the modern trawlers, Irish and foreign-owned, making their way to and from Ireland's premier fishing port. To the west the coastline ends in the massive sea cliffs of Sliabh a'Liag, and to the east one can see past Doorin Point towards Donegal Town at the head of the Bay.

Immediately below the Lighhouse the land ends in a fork, with a narrow inlet known as Fox's Hole in between. It would be hard to better Kinnfaela's description of a stormy day here, when

"the wind blows strongly from the south, it is a grand sight to behold the foaming swell of the surges, as they dash up the storm-beaten rocks, and break into the finest dust-like spray".

Getting There

The nearest village is Dunkineely which is on the main Donegal Town to Killybegs road. Watch out for the small signpost on the left just after leaving the village. If you miss this turn then take the next left as the two roads meet after approximately 1km.

Parking is available along the grass verges above the beach and at the rough area at the end of the beach. The lighthouse is on private land but permission allows access by foot or by car along the road to the lighthouse. However, parking is not allowed along this road.

On a clear day the views across Donegal Bay make the lighthouse road a very worthwhile walk and it is quite popular with locals.

The Cache

The container is a medium sized tablock box in a hollow in the ground covered by a large flat stone. To find the coordinates you need to solve the puzzle below.

When placed the cache contained an assortment of swap items, a logbook, pencil and a FTF prize.

PLEASE ONLY TRADE UP OR EVEN.

TBs MOVE BETWEEN CACHES AND REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF THE PERSON THAT RELEASED THEM. I DO NOT COUNT THEM AS TRADE ITEMS.

IF YOU WISH TO TAKE SOMETHING FROM THIS CACHE PLEASE DON'T LEAVE A TB IN IT'S PLACE. THANK YOU.

The Puzzle

Use the following numbers to identify the coordinates:

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