Cave near Water Rock House, Midleton ?

[richieoflynn]

Lads, I was in with a customer today just 15 mins drive down the road from my house. He runs a garage at the back of a place called Water Rock House. It's a pub / restaurant owned by his family. They have a nice garden around the premises with a small stream running along the side of it. At the moment, there's a big rock breaker in there hacking away at the rock face so I asked him what they were up to. He told me that they're constantly getting flooded and that where ever the stream goes must be blocked with silt etc. from all the rain. I told him he should get some cave divers in for a look :-) He did say that Pawel (posts on here as bigplik) called last year with maps etc. wanting to explore the site but never came back. Hey Pawel, he's still waiting, when are you back in Ireland

So, after a bit more chat he tells me that 30 or so years ago, the locals were able to go into the cave here and come out on the other side of the main Cork to Midleton rd. To anyone that doesn't know how far that is, I've a shot of it in the pic below. The map isn't great but it gives an idea, maybe half a mile, I don't know. Either way, if this was opened up, it would be one hell of a walk ! Anyway, I can imagine how much the rock breaker is costing him everyday so I told him I'd put a post up here to see if anyone had any interest. He'd be delighted to see someone down there with the dive gear on so if anyone is at home scratching their arse looking for something to do then it might be of interest. The water is shallow enough there but the excavator can pull out big bucket loads of silt close to the entrance if someone wants to go in. He did go in himself yesterday for a look but said he shit it when he went in so came back out.

Of course the locals could be bullshitting and there might be nothing to see  

Any takers ?

Just trying to add pics but it's telling me the upload folder is full. Will try another way...
Ok, here's the pics...

[Andy]

And Arthur is off and running!

[richieoflynn]

And Arthur is off and running!

I was thinking the same ! I did say to the guy today (about Arthur) that there could be a guy pull up with a load of gear, a shovel and a tent  By the way Arthur, if you're reading this, they have an excavator on site... happy days 

Hey Bob, you could get in on this one. Only up the road from you.

[admin]

Just trying to add pics but it's telling me the upload folder is full. Will try another way...

Fixed. Don't forget to tell your friendly neighbourhood admins - sure its what we live for 

[arturconrad]

Jaysus lads.......only 2 days ago , I SWEAR,  I was reading about Water Rock House sink and rising in a book The Caves of County Cork by Tony Oldham
Here's the entry:

Water Rock House sink and rising

In the grounds of Water Rock House a stream enters a fissured crag which is polluted with sewage from a nearby milk factory. There are two entrances in the cliff nearby  and 100 ft of passage leads to stream. Nearby is Pipe Cave. About 2000 ft to S.S.E at smithy on Main Midleton -Cork road is a rising.

Sure I'd love to take a plunge down there but I only came back from the area on Sunday!!! Though water on the pic looks invitingly murky..


Bob must be very busy or on holidays - yesterday a CAVE opened spontaniously next door to him and still, no reaction.... I the news is SO INTRIGUING that I'm posting it as a separate tread)

Back to WATER ROCK  - I could go down there on ...Tuesday - Wednesday? There's a job to be done ( in case SWO was tracing me, I'm speaking purely metaphorically) in Old Desmond Cave near Mitchelstown , after Saturday visit I think we might be on a verge of a big breakthrough there ( http://forum.technicaldiving.ie/index.php/topic,1232.msg11634/topicseen.html#msg11634)

I will call Bob as well, it might be interesting, you never know...

So Richi, can you actually enter the cave at the sink?

Artur

[arturconrad]

Looks like Jim wants to take a look at it tomorrow,
Good luck!

[richieoflynn]

Hi Artur,

That's some coincidence you reading up about the cave there, what are the chances ! I haven't actually been into the cave myself but Dennis said he was in there the other evening. I'm not sure if the rock breaker is still there today but my guess is that it is. I've seen the water flowing there before and it looks clear but as for in the cave ? We'll you'd probably have to check that one out for yourself 

If anyone wants to turn up for a look, go into the garage at the back of the pub and ask for Dennis. Tell him I sent you in, he'll be happy to see you and he's sound out. Like he said to me, they'd be delighted if they could find out what was causing the build up of water and where the blockage is. And it would be good publicity for the pub if they could find an entrance or drum up a bit of drama around it.

I can help with logistics if anyone wants any help with anything. Better wire up the compressor just in case !

Richie.

[bigplik]

Hi Richie, nice to hear someone missing me:)

I was there, that's true. Was trying to find entrance place (sink) and resurgence too.
Denis told me that earlier water was swimming by the first, old entrance but after some time (possibly about this blockage Denis told about) water started to swam into the second one, on the right hand side. When I was there cliff was looking a bit different than now after excavator work Richie:)

When I was trying to find the main sink I jumped there and fell, made wet my boots, trousers etc. but couldn't see much.
Water is murky there. I went to the other side of the main road and found I believe same spring but it was coming from small concrete whole under the road, looks like small bridge. On the other side was pit where was possible that water was coming from there. However it was badly overgrown by weeds and access in drysuit was risky. If I could have some other clothes I would try.
Place is worth to visit as we don't know much about it but I don't expect any huge passage there, after reconnaissance I've done. I think side mount is good choice there.
Good luck Artur, tell us what you will find there.

[warny jim]

Hi Lads

I was supposed to work in Middleton tomorrow, but it got canceled.
But i'l be heading there next week.
I'l definitely go for a look (will bring some gear just in case).
Will let you know how i get on.

Regards

Jim

[richieoflynn]

Jim, give me a shout when you're going down, I'd like to be 'onsite' for a nose around  If you need anything let me know, I'm only just up the road.

[warny jim]

Will do Richie.
Can you PM me you mobile nr. and il give you a bel when i'm there.

[richieoflynn]

Here's another few pics taken today. The excavator is still down there so I don't know how much more they intend on doing but I think they could be finished with the majority of it at the cave entrance. There's a nice flow from the stream so I think the murky water might settle soon enough. I had a major urge to jump in earlier for a look  

[BOB1577]

Lads,
 Been busy with work and my birthday lasts few days only hearing about this now. thanks Richie for the call. Jim if you coming down let me know and I will take a day off and we can check it out together. Otherwise I will try make it down there at the weeknd and see whats happening. It would be nice to have a project close to my door to check out. All this driving to Gort, Doolin Fermanagh is killing my diving and the old car.

Richie I will let ya know If I am around over the week or the wknd Ok.

Arthur if you are around or plan on coming down to check it out let me know and we can hook up ok.