GC1YNXR Olpherts Grave (Traditional Cache) in Ulster, Ireland created by Banprionsai

This cache has been archived.

Cuilcagh: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.

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Cuilcagh - Volunteer Ireland Reviewer
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GC1YNXR ▼

A cache by Banprionsai Message this owner

Hidden : 9/13/2009

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Olphert's Grave at Ballyconnell House

This fine 18th century house stands in the heart of a magnificently wooded park of 500 acres, about a quarter of a mile from Falcarragh. It is the former residence of the Olpherts, a landowning family of Dutch extraction who first bought land in Cloughaneely in 1619. Ballyconnell House was built around 1763. The Olphert motto "Dum Spiro Spero" (While I breath I hope) is still legible over the front door. The house was occupied by the Irish Republican Brotherhood in 1921 also the Free State Forces in 1922. The Olphert lands (15,611 acres) were purchased by the Congested Districts Board for £20,620 in 1917 and the house and estate by the Commissioners of Public Works for £7,000 in 1926.

The House and Estate were offered to the Loreto nuns and was opened as a preparatory college, Coláiste Bhríde, for girls who wanted to become primary school teachers in 1927. The Loreto nuns were there until 1961.

It was bought by the Diocese of Raphoe and reopened as a boys' secondary school in 1965. A new 3-storey dormitory wing was added and Ballyconnell was used as a residence for boarding students attending Falcarragh Community School (PCC) until 1986. In 1987 Udaras na Gaeltachta bought the estate and various educational courses were run there until the mid 1990's. A very popular school of music was held in there in the early 2000's.

In recent years the main building hasn't been used, but the old church has been converted and it used as a clubhouse by the Falcarragh Golf Club who have designed a 9 hole golf course on the grounds of the estate.

The Cache

The cache is a 470ml tab lock container with a log book, pencil and some small swap items.

Close to the cache site is the grave of John Olphert, the last of the Olphert family to live at Ballyconnell House. He died on 11 March 1917 and at his own request was buried in the garden amongst his flowers and trees.

His burial place is quite overgrown at the moment but still worth a visit at N 55.08.682 W 008.05.495

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

onfr bs gerr - zr thfgn

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)