Pegasus Caving Club
aka Pegasus Club Nottingham
1st January Pluais Gabhar – Pollapooka II – A1e.
PC
11:00. Sunset 16:32: Cloud 30 %: Wind SW, F2/3 Visibility 30Nm: Temp 7°C: Gauge 21mm: Ground sodden: The Plan, Descend pot; possibly Pollapooka II. First of the Year. En-route encountered Mary Howard near Balliny; long catchup. Parked up at the Cross, walked in with ladder etc. Passing by Poulbruíon, unexpected engine noise noted from the light aircraft of ‘Wing Commander’ Geh. Frantic waving causing the aircraft to circle; likely NG took some nice aerial shots. Checked Pluais Gabhar, recent wind damage to sheltered trees, a large stream flowing beneath the ‘skylight’ in the depression. Inside, evidence of rain event/s; the shelf silt surface, on which the Stone Axe was placed, suffered from an elevated stream flow, further evidence indicating primary flow tumbled through the entrance, evident from a clean washed limestone floor channel in the leaf cover. Pleased to note external, yellow survey point in situ. Walked north twenty five metres to what was firmly believed Pollapooka II. Rigged ladder to bush, slid into a narrow rift. At –2 metres, both feet encountered soft obstruction, craning neck, could see calf or large sheep skull looking up; the stench arrived seconds later. Danced on the blockage to shift it down. Found several branches securing corpse, vegetation, and clay like humic material together. Pivoting, saw rift continue on downwards, two metres at least. CoC, 1981, p68, describes Pollapooka II a five metre long sink, too tight to follow: some 200 metres southwest of Pollapooka I. Previous scribing of this distance placed said site and A1e adjacent Pluais Gabhar. It may be that these sites titles have become switched. Whatever the reason, a pot is present at ITM 514571 x 705204, (seeming to fit the A1e description, p69,CoC). Likewise the small sink, fits Pollapooka II. I therefore believe the ITM map reference for Pollapooka II is ITM 514582 x 705223. And A1e is in fact ITM 514571 x 705204. Recovered kit. A1e entrance is beneath a minor overhang of a one metre high limestone terrace, beneath, and to the rear of a mature bush successfully obscuring the opening when in leaf. Walked twenty metres to what was also believed is the sink A1e. The water sinking here is from surface runoff. Eyeing back from the location of Pollapooka II toward Pluais Gabhar, A1e is a little off line, with this I am now confident of the precise location of all three sites. Returned to the motor via the ‘Miners cabin’, the wind chill would cut you in half. Stopped at the second gate to fix GPSR signal and assess any error present for today, left it stabilize for twenty five minutes. During which time took photos of Arkeen Point, adjacent Poulgorm, and southwesterly toward sites and resurgences S7, S6 and S5
Pat Cronin
11th January Sliabh Eilbhe
NB, PC
13:00. Sunset 16:47: Cloud 20%: Wind SSW, F3: Visibility 20Nm: Rain Gauge 11mm: Temp 9°C: Ground very wet: The Plan. Try establish Faunarooska entrances in ITM format. Picked up NB from CC’s. Parked at the Cross. Approached Faunarooska through second gate along the Drover’s Road, plan to search northwards toward Poulbruíon. Last seen NB at Popeye’s funeral, so much to catch up on. Preparation noted the linear form of the entrances from the survey in Caves of NW Clare, (1968 p141). Previous attempts to reconcile entrances had failed. Adjacent believed locations of F2 and F3 a number of depressions present confusion. From Faunarooska entrance, (A2), established a datum to check GPS error. Took compass bearing, adjusted for magnetic deviation, headed north. Winter vegetation markedly lower, enabling a clearer view. Most obvious, the series of leafless bushes, trending east of north. Entrances found in almost each. NB took photos. Relocated the rift with the builders ladder, previously noted with PMcG. In several places, near this alignment, are shallow, choked depressions. Later, unhappy plotting these coordinates. Need to repeat. Headed back, passing Poulbruíon.
Pat Cronin
12th January Poulbruíon
NB, FR, PC
13:00. Sunset 16:46: Cloud 100%, base 950ft: Wind SE, F6/8: Visibility 15Nm: Rain Gauge 2mm: Temp 8°C: Ground wet: The Plan. Dig. Arrived in rain. FR below, NB winching, PC toting spoil. Awaiting spoil removed, digging focused on creating a channel between East and West walls. At -3.7m FR exposed today’s small stream, long heard but unseen. Increased depth and width of channel, leaving spoil buttress to support north and south faces. Lowered channel depth, to -4.2m below platform, exposed base of boulder, (1m x 0.6m x 0.3m) a conservative 450Kgs. Stream pooled about FR’s feet: two drain holes made, releasing the water; the sound of it falling down through boulders, pure delight. Previous belts with the sledge of the Monster had no effect other than shrapnel whiffling past the digger. Clearing about the boulder, FR noted a hair line crack, applying Popeye’s small pick, took off a bit. Cautious optimism arose, perhaps no need of Gads, drills or others means required? Cleared more spoil exposed more of the Monster, FR to surface. PC used the sledge, reducing the Monster to pieces, large and small. All the while NB patiently hand winched the spoil to surface: sixty five kibbles in all. Debris placed upon the spoil pile within the depression, the height of the containing wall was increased, a little. NB and FR to donate to the shoring fund. A fine session. Called to his place, so FR could collect cash to treat the elderly to some nice pints in McGann’s.
Pat Cronin
18th January CL018-011000, Portal Tomb, Moyree Commons Townland.
Pius Murray, John Burke, Siobhan O’Sullivan, Mary Howard, Brian? Pascal and Margaret Duffy, Ruth?, Irene? Elaine Lynch, Louise? plus six others: PC.
09:30. Sunset 16:57: Cloud 15%: Wind SE, F4: Visibility 20Nm: Rain Gauge 0mm: Temp 13°C: Ground damp: The Plan. Clear tomb of encroaching briar and foliage. Assembled at the triangle junction, (ITM 535820 x 687944). Sorted out car sharing; headed to site. Most of the day spent snipping away the dense cover. Rewarded with a very nice, curious, arrangement of large boulders. Adjacent stonework seems a much later affair; though may be residual from a much denuded covering mound circa. Regular tea stops, in a cold wind. In conversation found SO, knows of a souterrain in Ballyteige. It may actually be Ballyteige East? If so, it may be Souterrain CL017-106002. She will attempt arrange permission with the farmer who is a friend of her friend. Pius Murray asked of a cave Glenula, in Oughtdarra? Never heard of that name nor recognize the description? NG has also been asked. PM has also offered to lead PC to a souterrain out on Tullycommon. All good fun, a Grand Day Out.
Pat Cronin
19th January Poulbruíon
PC
11:15. Sunset 16:58: Cloud 100%, base 900ft: Wind SE, F4/5: Visibility 10Nm: Raining: Rain Gauge 2mm: Temp 9°C: Ground damp: The Plan. Shoring. Took in Hilti, TB’s mini-grinder, assorted tools etc. Evidence of human presence, a mini dolmen constructed adjacent the dig: NG? Stripped a surplus ≈1.5m length of galvanized scaffold tube from the Headframe, lowered same and tools down shaft. Began, carefully to remove the buttress at the base of the North Face. A lot of thick, heavy mud, among which the stones removed were not too big; stability maintained. Prepared the area for a stemple, 0.4m below the lowest drilled both 16mm holes. Clearing mud stuck to the east wall, noted a ‘cheek’ of limestone had formed, behind which a hollow area once took a stream. This area appearing develop north-ish. As does the lowest, visible area of the west wall. Re-located both 16mm holes some 50mm above the others, attempting increase distance from this now doubtful secure anchor point. It being possible, during tightening the bolt, to fracture - break this ‘cheek’ off. Having filled large kibble with mud, stuck the rest to the west wall, for next session. Stemple length measured as 1.17m, so able to use one of the two 1.2m stemples, on site. The 1.5m left in the shaft as this sort of length will be required for the next South Face stemple, as the east wall, from where the stream issues steps back somewhat. Foresee anchoring issues hereabouts. Installed stemple tightened into place, no damage to ‘cheek’. The buttress below the South Face would benefit from temporary support during its preparation for the next stemple. Measured width between shoring; proposed PVC pipe maximum diameter can only be 1024mm, with internal working space diameter of 900mm. Cleared the drain holes, the stream swiftly disappearing without issue.
Thinking of using timber struts braced against small sheets of ply and the opposite wall, once the face has been quickly cut back from the vertical line of the stemples. The height of the buttress may permit cutting an east - west horizontal channel, lessening time required and spoil removal? Offering more control over maintaining the integrity of the predominantly silt and small stone deposit consisting the South Face?
Kibbles 153, Nets 2, Hours 3, (196).
Pat Cronin
20th January Poulbruíon
FR, PC
17:00. Sunset 17:02: Cloud 80%: Fog: Wind SE, F3: Visibility 15Nm: Rain Gauge 3mm: Temp 8°C: Ground damp: The Plan. Shoring. Carried in a 1.2m length of scaffold and some pieces of plywood. The South Face receives surface runoff from the south area of the large, shallow depression: beyond the tramway. Volume varies. Occasionally resulting in subsidence. The south face support buttress needed be cut back to permit installation of the next stemple, whilst needing maintain integrity. FR hand winching, PC below. Carefully nibbled away the face, fortunately no large boulders encountered. Clearing the east end, exposed the area below the stream entry; a complex of joints, and uneven wall surface: only one suitable anchor point, requiring a stemple about 150mm longer than that available: forgot to bring the tape measure. The tube recovered from the headframe can be used, needing a little bit cut off to fit. Fitted one of the plywood pieces up against the east side. Used a 1.2m length of scaffold to brace it against a boulder in the north face. Set to clearing the clay from yesterdays session to access the west end of the south face. No boulders encountered preparing this half of the face. Fitted this plywood, bracing it with another 1.2m length to a northern stemple. All now secure, ready for the predicted deep low approaching from the west sometime the end of the week. Need mesh, backing and scaffolding. Twenty-five loads lifted.
Kibbles 178, Nets 2, Hours 5, (201).
Pat Cronin
27th January Poulbruíon
PC
14:00. Sunset 17:13: Cloud 100%, base 900ft: Storm Herminia: Visibility 10Nm: Rain Gauge 6mm: Temp 6°C: Ground sodden. The Plan, install shoring. Stopped on the hill, above Kilmoon, by huge area of felled trees, a wall of foliage some eight metres high. Turned about to take the coast road. Found tree at Ballynalacken cleared. Damage to rooves in Fan Oír. Parked at the Cross, carried in rebar and last pieces of mesh. Could hear the stream chuckling below, changing the aspect of the bottom of the shaft. A small trickle followed the tramway. Evidence of much water falling down the shaft. The small unsupported, central, area of the south face had experienced a small slump. Repositioned the two scaffold tubes holding the two plywood supports in place: a grand idea. Cleared plughole, to reduce water level, creating loud gurgling below. Inserted the mesh; drove five lengths of rebar almost horizontally among the boulder fill, hoping to reduce risk of severe, sudden collapse: delighted. Prepared the North Face, trimming it vertically to a point just behind the stemple. Removed several boulders, none compromised stability. Lowered this area some 0.5m, using the stones and boulders to back pack the stemples and mesh, again to reduce any movement. Have taken to driving some rebar lengths so they finish an inch or so, just above the stemple. Any subtle movement should be indicted by the rebar pressed down onto the stemple. Pockets of course gravel and sand among the two tone clay; all spoil packed into the SW corner for the next session. A cavity was exposed in the NW corner: left side of the North Face. This will create a support issue, requiring drilling of the west wall, to insert bridging rebar. The floor of this small cavity, 0.5m cube, slopes to the NW. Lots of gaps in the boulder floor. The stream flows away nicely. Lifted the large kibble. Exited to driving rain.
Kibbles 179, Nets 2, Hours 3, (204 total).
Pat Cronin
1st February Tobar St. Colmáin, CL009-006001, Cahermakerrila Td.
PMcN, PC
15:00. Sunset 17:22: Cloud 100%: Wind SW,F4: Visibility 25Nm: Rain Gauge 0mm: Temp 9°C. Ground awash. The Plan: search for reported hole. MOL, PMcN, EMcN and JMcN all spoke of a hole, (Souterrain? Cave?) Adjacent the Blessed Well of St. Colmáin, (ITM 517240 x 700215). Land owned by EMcN, worked by MOL. Permissions to wander granted. PMcN offered guide to the site. Adjacent the well are two other sites. CL009-006002 suggested a penitential station, four metres north of the Well and CL009-006003 a Hut site; two metres in diameter.
Local knowledge relates the Penitential station actually a place of headache cure. The hut site is small, the exposed location suggests it a shelter for those attending the Well. A shallow gulley is situated some twenty metres east of the Well. A voice connection accomplished with PMcN between Well and Sink. The subterranean stream flows westwards. In deteriorating weather a search was made of the area. A boggy place, limestone peaking through reed, moss and grass. Numerous surface channels convey rainfall to the lower area, the vicinity of the Well, and sink.
Pat Cronin
St Colmains well and Sink
7th February Burn’s Burrow, Blakesmountain Townland. ITM 513947 x 702628.
PC
11:00. Sunset 17:34: Cloud 10%: Wind E,F4: Visibility 30Nm: Rain Gauge 1mm: Temp 3°C. Ground sodden. The Plan: Search for Cave. Had phone call from Jonathon Whelan, of a cave he’d encountered in the forestry of Blakesmountain. Received details of location; somewhat imprecise. Calculated an area described by JW; somewhat confusing, entrance described as in the area of “4”, conducted thorough search. Hampered by, large fallen trees: underfoot deep moss and many drains. Used two GPRS’s, GPSmap 64 and GPSmap 62, both checked and confirmed as reading exact same coordinates under an unobscured sky. Estimated a map ref for “4”, entered forest at “2”. Some area at the edges of the forest are trashed by Storm Éowyn: some 4000 houses remain without power and water. Most in Connemara, Leitrim and Roscommon. Headed SSE to check shallow area in the forest, a small stream encountered. Headed upstream, zig-zag search. Found another small stream on a gentle slope; recorded a sink: nothing remotely as described by JW, who had “dropped stones down an open hole”. In deference to the birthday boy named it Burn’s Burrow. Headed east to intercept the obvious maintenance road, to enable cutting back NE to area “4”. Encountered a completely choked track, dozens of trees blown down from recent westerly hurricane. Waded through deep drain, climbing up the far side. Forced further east by many more downed trees. Stabilizing GPSR’s, found was some two hundred metres south of estimated location. Resumed zig zag search pattern: no luck, the forest floor showed no sign of bedrock beneath the many uprooted trees. After two hours headed north, downhill, to cut the maintenance track, much of this area of forestry cut down. Referenced the stream to assess amount of recent cutting, which is much of the area directly east-north-east from where the stream drains from the uplands. Will contact JW to elaborate, or, ideally guide to there. Under the canopy error between the GPSR units was no more that two metres east.
Pat Cronin
Image supplied by Jonathon Whelan
Showing location of 'Burns Burrow' in relation to other known features in the area
8th February Pouldubh
Cristina Galvin, PC
11:00. Sunset 17:36: Cloud 95%: Wind E, F1: Visibility 20Nm: Rain Gauge 0mm: Temp 6°C. Ground drying. The Plan: Trip request. Further to Irish Times interview, contacted by CG asking if a trip were possible. Via emails, arranged meet in the Square Lisdoonvarna. Once introductions complete, headed off; CG’s motor left at the square. En-route noted more storm destruction. Particularly so approaching Pouldubh forestry, and interior isolated areas near South and Middle entrances. Encountered numerous uprooted trees. Route to South entrance straightforward enough; found small trees fallen into the South entrance waterfall shute. Normal low ambient light, somewhat elevated through new gaps in the canopy: quite a sensation. Pleasant meander underground, answering questions, pointing out features. Throughout, CG showed good balance; delighted at the wonders. Checked status, offered CG to exit Middle entrance, via the climb, viewing the grotto en-route. In the crawl noted the north stream had a good depth and flow. Returning to the motor noted the depression opposite the path into the forest continues to grow in dimensions. CG spoke of caves near Moycullen and series of channel connected lakes leading to Lough Corrib: a Team canoe trip springs to mind. CG to request access with cave owners. Dropped CG back at her Motor to return to Galway. CG fancies another trip.
Greater detailed data from JW ref, reported Blakesmountain cave, makes far more sense.
Pat Cronin
Awaiting your next log please. "Remember, if it's not written down it never happened"