The Tower
The Guinness Tower was built by B.L Guinness in 1864 and is approx 20m high. It is completely hidden by tall trees, even in winter, and as such is not all that well known or visited by tourists or locals. The tower has a steep spiral staircase which twists its way right to the top.
Warning - Please note the top of the tower is open to the elements but there is now a surrounding fence on top to increase safety. Be very careful climbing the stairs as it is dark and the stairs are normally wet!! If you have small children with you please don't let them climb the tower unaccompanied. Also don't mention you can't see anything from the top of the tower.... The trees have grown since it was built on open farmland in 1864.... ;-)
The Cache
There's many different ways to get to the cache.
Park in Cong and walk in crossing the river. The entrance passes the old abbey in Cong and you can see The Monk's Fishing House on the river.
Park at N53 32.521 W009 18.530 and then continue on the path into Ashford Estate by a tunnel under the road next to the original Ashford Estate Gatehouse.
Or drive and park at the Riding Centre Stables: N53 32.164 W009 17.503
The cache is a small plastic container,, hidden at the base of a tree near the tower. It contains a log book and small pencil. Thanks to carrowkeel who replaced the original micro after it was lost.
Difficulty rated as 2 due the the tower being in a wooded area and as such there will be problems getting a good GPS signal. However there are places which allow a clear view of the sky and will point you in the right direction! If you have problems you may want to start from the Riding Centre.
To find the tower from the riding centre stables walk past the driveway entrance to house behind stables and head up the muddy path immediately adjcent to it for approx 250m. You will not need the GPS, just follow the path.
To find the cache use the clue below or climb the tower to get a satellite fix.
Note
In the tourist season there tends to be a charge to enter Ashford Estate from either road entrance in Cong Village and also if walking in along the river bank. The grounds are openly accessible and completely free to visit in the tourist season if you don't enter via these methods. So if visiting in the charging months you could walk in from the village over the river or drive in approaching the stables from the road West of them