The Rocky Road Traditional Geocache
Boltblue: Current work situation doesn't allow anymore to maintain this one.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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The road known to Ennis people as the Rocky Road, can be dated back as far as 1306. The road was initially used as a pilgrimage track from Ennis to Killone, where St. Johns Holy well is situated. This pilgrimage stopped in the mid 1600 when due to enforcement of the penal laws, Catholicism was outlawed, and the majority of worshipers went underground, so pilgrimages when largely forgotten about.
The rocky road became the route into town from the west, and many cattle farmers brought their stock to the two annual fairs in town, via this road. The fair were held on what is now Carmody street, and on the fair green. Farmers watered their cattle at a place called the Hawn, the current start of the rocky road.
The Hawn used to be lower than it is now, but due to recent development the banks of the river had to be raised, so it is now difficult to get down to the water. In the 70's towns people used to come here to wash their cars, but of course that is no longer done, or even possible.
The area directly adjacent to the road is called the Carteagh, it is very much like the limestone cragg seen in north Clare. The Carteagh, pretty much boasts the same flora as the Burren. The limestone from this area was quarried to build the spire of Ennis Cathedral, which was finished around 1877. As you are walking back from the cache, you can see the spire above the trees.
At the moment the Rocky road is cut in two by the development of the Western Ennis Bypass, the right of way will be upheld, by means of a pedestrian bridge, whilst a tunnel will provide thoroughfare for the wildlife.
The cache :
Start at the Hawn (N52 49.831 W8 59.455), this is now the entrance to the Rocky Road. If you have come by car, you should be able to find somewhere to park close by, for example in the estate next to the Hawn.
The trail is a mere 700 meters, that is all that is left of the rocky road, so it is a 1.4 Km round trip, it won't take all afternoon.
The cache consists of a lock & lock see through container.
Give your GPS device time to adapt since signal can be jumpy due to surrounding trees.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Pnpur vf fyvtugyl bss gur genpx, orgjrra qel fgbar jnyy naq gerr.