The Power of the Hollow
Down in The Hollow was made famous in Van Morisons song Brown Eyed Girl almost 50 years ago.
The Hollow was recently refurbiushed as part of a £40 million revamp as part of the Connswater Greenaway Project.
It is at this point that the Connswater meets the two tributaries, the Knock and Loop Rivers. It is also here that the Conn O’Neill Bridge can be found.
When visiting the Hollow why not cross the Conn o'Neil bridge.
There is a small parking area on Abetta Parade for a quick park and grab. Wheel chair users will require assitance to reach the cache itself.
Little bit of history - Van Morrison - ‘Van the Man’, as he is affectionately known, was born August 31, 1945. He attended Elmgrove Primary School until 1956, then Orangefield Secondary School for Boys. His journeys through east Belfast often feature in his work, but it is the tree-lined Cyprus Avenue which Van has turned into the most famous street in east Belfast, thanks to the track of the same name. Van’s lyrics are peppered with references to his east Belfast roots: ‘On Hyndford Street’ immortalises his childhood home; Orangefield is captured in the song ‘Avalon Sunset’ and Saint Donard’s Church of Ireland and the Connswater River are also mentioned in his songs.
Conn O’Neill Bridge - The O’Neills were for one thousand years great warriors in Ulster and Conn O’Neill was the last of these great O’Neill chieftains. Conn was something of a rogue and like to hold great parties at his stronghold, Grey Castle, also named ‘The Eagle’s Nest’ due to its situation on the Castlereagh hills. Conn O’Neill gave his name to the Connswater River, Connswater Bridge and the Conn O’Neill Bridge. This bridge is recorded as being built in the late 1800s however local legend would suggest that Conn and his clansmen used it to travel from the Grey Castle to Belfast town in the early 17th century.
Cache is a magentic nano container - so bring your own pen and tweezers. Remember no sign means no log and entry will be deleted by the cache owner,.