The Ivy Tree
The Quoile River begins its life as the Ballynahinch River which
flows from west of the town of Ballynahinch to Annacloy where it is
known as the Annacloy River. This then becomes the Quoile proper,
which flows through Downpatrick and the Quoile Pondage before
finally emptying into Strangford Lough. The
Quoile Estuary was once an important transport route. Quoile Quay,
built in 1717 was a busy port for over 200 years and in the
1830’s a paddle steamer service operated from Steamboat
Quay.
Flooding was a problem in this area and floodgates were built in
1745, 1802 and 1934 near the Quoile Bridge. However, by the
1950’s flooding in Downpatrick was again serious. The problem
was solved in 1957 when a new tidal barrier was built 2 miles
downstream at Hare Island, creating the Quoile Pondage. This
created an area where floodwater can gather safely before being
discharged into Strangford Lough at low tide. Soon after the
barrier was built, plants began to grow on the former seashore as
the environment changed from that of a marine one to a freshwater
one. First grasses, then bushes and eventually trees arrived as
natural succession progressed creating the wildlife rich reserve
you see today.
The Pondage is now rich in plants, fish and birds. The combination
of river and woodland is ideal for otters, but the Quoile is better
known for the wildfowl – ducks, geese and swans. Up to 2000
birds spend the winter here; many stay and breed in summer. The
Quoile Countryside Centre, next to the Quoile Castle, is a good
starting place for exploring the reserve. There is a small
exhibition, and information is available about the area. A
riverside path follows the Quoile River for nearly 1.5 miles from
the Old Floodgates at the Downpatrick end to Steamboat
Quay.
This cache is a well camouflaged micro with only a log book and
pencil. As this
is an area which can be quite busy at times please ensure that you
are very discrete in retrieving and replacing the
cache. Also please put it back exactly where you
got it from. Take care not to damage the camouflage when hunting
for the cache and follow any guides to accessing the
cache.
Parking
for this cache can be in two places. The main car park at the start
of the river walk N54° 20.625 W005° 42.217 if you would prefer a
longer walk or N 54° 21.086 W 005° 41.968 if you would prefer a
shorter walk.