Melleray Grotto Traditional Cache
Deise Boys: unlike the nearby statue, this cache just keeps moving.
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
A beautiful location for a grotto, in woodland by a riverbank, Melleray Grotto achieved world-wide fame in August, 1985, following an apparation of the Blessed Virgin.
The phenomenon of moving statues occurred in the Summer of 1985. First it was Ballinspittle, west of Cork City, in July. Then on August 16th, local children visiting the grotto reported seeing the statue move, and receiving messages from Our Lady. Word spread rapidly and the crowds started to gather. I was passing by the Cats pub on the road between the Vee and Clashmore that evening, and inquired as to the reason for the hundreds of cars parked on the roadway. On being informed, I joined the hordes of pilgrims to the grotto located at the base of the hill below the renowned Mount Melleray Abbey. Although failing to witness the statue moving or otherwise changing appearance, I did witness thousands of persons fervently praying, with hundreds publicly proclaiming movement and transformation to the Sacred Heart, St. Joseph and a host of other manifestations.
As word went out that the devil was to make an appearance the following evening, the crowd exploded to mega proportions. Again, no personal sighting of old Nick, but it was hard to ignore the visions being experienced all around me.
The huge crowds have since disappeared, but busloads of pilgrims, many from Belfast, maintain regular allnight vigils.
If the cache appears to have moved a couple of metres from GZ, it may or may not be a vision. The cache is at the start of the sloped path to the Grotto, to rear of top of wall, and is a small tupperware box.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
yrsg unaq fvqr