Giant Murphy's Cache Traditional Cache
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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The Cache is a magnetic nano placed just outside the graveyard,
Inside you'll find the grave of Patrick Murphy the Irish giant.
Parking is available outside the graveyard.
Giant Patrick Murphy (1834-1862)
Born along the shores of Carlingford Lough at Killowen in 1834, Patrick Murphy grew to the amazing height of 8' 1? and at one stage stood as the tallest man in the world.
In a little place in the Mourne Mountains beside the shore of Carlingford Lough and the townland of Kilfeaghan, there once was a man who lived there called Patrick Murphy.
Patrick was born on the 15th of June 1834 on a farm with his father James Murphy and mother Peggy (nee Cunningham). They were proud of their son but they did not know what was about to happen.
Patrick, like every other boy and girl at the that time, progressed and grew day by day so he was normal. When he reached school leaving age, he thought it would be more profitable for him give up his education and help on the farm. However, even without his education, there were bigger and better things in store for Patrick.
Suddenly, it all started to happen. At the age of twenty when normal people have stopped growing, Patrick kept growing and growing, inch by inch, until he finally stopped at the height of eight feet and one inch. At this time he stood the tallest man in the world!
One day when passing a new house being being built at the foot of Kilfeaghan Road, the builders asked him to stand along the gable of the house. They removed a stone from the wall of the house to mark his height and this mark is still visible today.
During his short life in Killowen he moved from his home where he was born to the townland of Tamnaveigh, approximately one and a half miles away. His new house is now a listed building and can still be seen today.
He originally worked on the docks in Liverpool, England and later became a waiter at a hotel.
As an eight foot giant was a rare sight, Patrick became very popular and was invited to make public appearances, one of which was at the invite of the Dublin Corporation.
However, Patrick refused the invite on the grounds that he “wouldn’t have Irishmen pay good money to see a fellow Irishman”, and with his usual kindness added “If the people of Dublin wish to see me then I will go down there and walk around the streets.”
But with adventure in his mind, he set off on a world tour with a travelling circus, and who could blame him?! This was the tragedy of many an Irishman.
In May 1857 the Emperor and Empress of Austria invited the towering native of Ireland to visit their kingdom. While he was on tour throughout Europe, in the prime of his life, he fell victim to the dreaded disease of Smallpox and died in the faraway port Marseilles, at the age of twenty-eight. He had always billed himself as being 8'10" and in some circles as much as 9'3", though his true height was 7'3".
Patrick Murphy's grave is at N54 06.662 W006 11.132
Saint Bronagh's Well is also within the graveyard and a shrine is placed over it.
Well worth a look and a read of the Info board within the graveyard.
Very interesting spot.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)