"Will-o'-the-wisp" Traditional Cache

Will-o'-the-wisp

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, especially Willow 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.

A will-o'-the-wisp or ignis fatuus (Latin, from ignis, "fire" + fatuus, "foolish"), also called will-o'-wisp, jack-o'-lantern, friar's lantern, hinkypunk, and wisp, is a ghostly light sometimes seen at night or twilight over bogs, swamps, and marshes. It resembles a flickering lamp and is sometimes said to recede if approached. The will-o'-the-wisp can be found in numerous folk tales around the United Kingdom, and is often a malicious character in the stories. There is usually a fairly common cautionary tale concerning the phenomenon; however, the Ignis Fatuus was not always considered dangerous. There are some tales told about the will-o'-the-wisp being guardians of treasure, much like the Irish leprechaun leading those brave enough to follow them to sure riches. Other stories tell of travellers getting lost in the woodland and coming upon a will-o'-the-wisp, and depending on how they treated the will-o'-the-wisp, the spirit would either get them lost further in the woods or guide them out

Much folklore surrounds the phenomenon. An Irish version of the tale has a ne'er-do-well named Drunk Jack or Stingy Jack who makes a deal with the Devil, offering up his soul in exchange for payment of his pub tab. When the Devil comes to collect his due, Jack tricks him by making him climb a tree and then carving a cross underneath, preventing him from climbing down. In exchange for removing the cross, the Devil forgives Jack's debt. However, because no one as bad as Jack would ever be allowed into Heaven, Jack is forced upon his death to travel to Hell and ask for a place there. The Devil denies him entrance in revenge, but, as a boon, grants Jack an ember from the fires of Hell to light his way through the twilight world to which lost souls are forever condemned. Jack places it in a carved turnip to serve as a lantern.

This cache is a camouflaged micro containing 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.