The cache location is known as the “Meeting of the
Waters”, where all three of Killarney’s Lakes meet,
although it might be more appropriately called the 'Parting of the
Waters' as the water flowing from the Upper Lake via the Old Weir
Bridge divides into two here, flowing leftwards through the
‘back channel’ to the Lower Lake (Lough Leane) or
rightwards directly into the Middle Lake (Muckross Lake).
Although it has had recent works carried out on it, the Old Weir
Bridge is an ancient bridge. Early origins are unclear, but in the
Fisher Print of c.1780 (shown above) the bridge is already depicted
as semi-ruined.
For over 200 years a boat trip through the Lakes of Killarney
has been regarded as the ‘must do’ trip on any visit to
the area, and boats may be seen passing through this area en route
to and from the Upper Lake.
Upstream from the cache site, close to the ‘Eagle’s
Nest’ mountain, it was common for a small cannon to be fired
to create an impressive echo. This practice was discontinued in the
nineteenth century after a tourist was killed in what was described
at the time as “a most unfortunate
incident”!
Returning from the Upper Lake the shooting of the rapids at the
Old Weir Bridge was always regarded as an exciting part of the
trip, sometimes quite justifiably, as during times of high water
the passage was quite hazardous and there have been several
tragedies over the years, notably in 1938 when five tourists were
drowned after their boat capsized.
In his 1797 book “Sketches of Some of the Southern
Counties of Ireland”, George Holmes writes:
“When we arrived within a quarter of a mile of the Old
Weir Bridge, we felt ourselves gently urged on by the current; the
boatmen drew in their oars, and we committed ourselves to the
guidance of the stream; trimming the boat well, and observing our
balance, we found ourselves hurried on towards the arch with
increased velocity; till, with the torrent, we were swept through
the arch and down the fall, with a force that must alarm any person
looking at us from the bank”.
Thankfully, since the advent of outboard motors control of the
boats in fast water has been greatly improved and the passage is
now much safer!
Close to the cache site, the cottage at Dinis was originally
built as a hunting lodge by Henry Herbert of the Muckross Estate.
It now serves as a Tea Room during the tourist season and is well
worth a visit if you have time.
The windows of the lodge are notable for having names etched
into the glass, going back many years. Local tradition has it that
a newly engaged girl would etch her name into the glass with the
diamond ring, partly to mark the occasion but also to make sure
that the diamond was genuine!
The cache is easily accessible from the Muckross Lake circuit
track, which is a good quality surfaced track open to walkers and
cyclists, although cyclists should note that there is a one-way
anti-clockwise system in place –
it is forbidden to
cycle this track in a clockwise direction.
The full circuit of the lake is 10km, which is a worthwhile
activity in itself for cyclists, or walkers with a couple of hours
to spare, and can be combined with a visit to Killarney Lakes
Series #3 Cache (Rosie's Beach).
For walkers the most convenient option is to use the Dinis car
park on the N71 (see additional waypoint) and follow the Muckross
Lake track westwards from there.
You will need to leave the surfaced track for the last few
hundred metres and follow rough paths instead as you approach the
cache.
A cross-country approach to the cache from the South is
definitely not recommended!
This cache is suitable for children, however close supervision
will be necessary as you approach the cache due to deep water and
rocky outcrops.
The hint will be helpful.