Historic Doon
"Doon Well has long since been the main place of pilgrimage for our Catholic population...a place regularly visited by young and old, from every corner of Donegal. Water is lifted from this humble little spring well, overlooked on one side by the inauguration place of the O'Donnell chieftains, and on the other, by the Mass Rock, where people worshipped in secret, during the dark Penal Days in Ireland.
Here, amidst some of the most ruggedly wild and beautiful scenery imaginable, the visitor is somehow transported back in time, to those far off days of the O'Donnell."
finnvalley.ie
Tobar an Duin (Doon Well)
Doon Well is at the heart of this complex and the name is nowadays more associated with the well than the rock. There are many other wells in Donegal some with much more antiquity than Doon but none are held with more respect or are more venerated. Doon Well's origins are much disputed and difficult to prove but local legend holds that it was founded by Lector O'Friel whose body is reputed to rest in nearby Kilmacrennan cemetary. Lector O'Friel is held to be a local man of "a saintly nature" and "sanctity of life" and blessed with the power to heal. As he neared the end of his life he was determined that his healing powers would last and he blessed the well at Doon to bestow it with the same healing and restorative powers that he had.
"Tradition tells us that in his old age, when his vigour was waning and the shadow of death was hanging over him, his legion of clients became disturbed at the thought of losing such a holy and charitable man, in whom God had implanted such powers for miraculous healing.
"When I die, my powers will live after me," he assured them. Asked in what way such a wonderful thing would be possible, he told them that he would 'bless this Well at Doon' and that 'those who drank or applied its waters' would have the benefit of his prayers of intercession."
finnvalley.ie
As with many holy wells in Ireland the bushes near the well are festoned with rags and relics left by visitors and penitants coming to the well. These represent intentions for themselves and others and should be respected as such. Other items such as sticks, crutches and bandages are left by those who felt that they were cured after visiting the well when they returned to give thanks.
Carraig an Duin (Doon Rock)
Doon Rock stands high over Doon Well and it's craggy top is clearly visible on the approach road. It was here that the chieftans of Tir Connaill were inauguarated. The plaque at the summit gives a good description of who was present and their roles in the ceremony.
The last O'Donnell to be elected at Doon Rock was Niall Garbh in 1603. He was the last Celtic Lord of the Finn Valley, and a cousin of Red Hugh. It was here too that Sir Cahir O'Doherty, just out of his teens - and the last Chieftain of Inishowen - was slain in battle in 1608. A commeration plaque is laid at the beginning of the path to Doon Rock.
Carraig an Aifrinn (Mass Rock)
A Mass Rock is a stone used in mid-seventeenth century Ireland as a location for Catholic worship. Isolated locations were sought to hold religious ceremony, as Catholic mass was a matter of difficulty and danger at the time as a result of both Cromwell's campaign against the Irish, and the Penal Law of 1695. Bishops were banished and priests had to register thereafter. In some cases priest hunters were used.
In many instances a stone would be taken from a church ruin, and relocated to a rural area, with a simple cross carved on its top. Because the activity was illegal, the services were not scheduled and their occurrence was communicated verbally between parishioners.
The practice had waned by the late seventeenth century, when worship moved to thatched Mass houses.
The Cache
To find the cache you must collect three pieces of information.
Stage 1: Doon Well (N 55° 01.477 W 007° 49.319)
The posted coordinates bring you to Doon Well. On top of the well there is a plaque. How many times does the name Mary appear in the inscription? Let your answer = U
Stage 2: Mass Rock (N 55° 01.437 W 007° 49.182)
Follow the tarmac path to the site of the mass rock. The coordinates bring you to a multi-stemmed tree. Behind this tree, at ground level and covered with a rock is a small pill bottle wrapped in black tape. Inside this pill bottle is a code. Let the code = VWX
Stage 3: Doon Rock (N 55° 01.564 W 007° 49.272)
Climb up to Doon Rock via the tarmac path. On top of the rock is a plaque with an inscription. What is the 1st number in the 3rd paragraph? Let this number = YZ
Final Location:
N 55° 01.abc W 007° 49.def
a = V
b = (Z-U)
c = (X+Y)
d = Y
e = X
f = (V-Y)
The container is a small tab-lock box with a geocaching label on the outside. GPS reception at the final location may be a bit iffy so make sure you have the clue and spoiler photo to hand.
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 ITS PLACE. THANK YOU.
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