Are you Suir she's coming? Traditional Geocache
Are you Suir she's coming?
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Ormond Castle, Carrick On Suir, County Tipperary.
Displaying features of both Plantaganet and Tudor architecture, the Castle served as a residence for the Butler family in Carrick on Suir from the early 1300s until it was deserted in 1688. The site of the Castle was first built on in 1309 by Edmond Butler, Earl of Carrick, and the remains of its two towers are still to be seen rising up behind the Elizabethan manor. But it is for the magnificence of the 16th Century structure, and the events surrounding it's construction, that Ormond Castle is well known.
Black Tom, 10th Earl of Ormond, built the mansion in 1565 in which he hoped, it was said, to entertain Queen Elizabeth. The Castle has steep gables, beautiful mullioned windows and was decorated on the interior with oak panels, carved limestone and elaborate stuccowork plaster. It was in many ways in direct contrast with the structure that had preceded it; austerity gave way to elaboration, and the concept of defence was forgotten. The new Castle was designed to be admired. The very fact that Thomas could build such a structure was testament to the security he felt in both financial and military terms.
Cache Guard
One of the more interesting features of the decoration of the building are the less-than-subtle references made to the Queen in the plasterwork and paintings. There can be seen in one decoration the letters "T.O." (Thomas Ormond) and "E.R." (Elizabeth Regina), and it was no secret amongst the gentry that the Earl wished to make Elizabeth his wife. This idea, it seemed, appealed to her, and she fondly called Thomas her "black husband". Rebellion, however, was to break out in Munster and Elizabeth never visited the Castle that Ormond had, apparently, so lovingly created for her.
The cache is a small camouflaged canister. Please replace the cache carefully and ensure it is secure before departing. BYOP . To open press lid with palm and turn. Click close when finished.
Note - I have provided coordinates below for two access points to the pathway which passes the cache site.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Hc onax.
Onfr bs gerr.