A time capsule has been found during construction work at Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebr, Co. Mayo

The heavy lead box was placed there by Dominick Sidney Browne, then captain of the 3rd Battalion of the 21st Royal Scots Fusiliers.  It contained an envelope sealed with the Browne family crest holding two letters – one outlining his family history, and the other detailing the case’s contents, including copies of the Illustrated London News and The Irish Times. Also included were copies of the Western People, the Connaught Telegraph, an edition of the humorous weekly Punch and the London Times. There were sketch plans of his home, including details of an addition in 1904, and a small cloth purse with a set of Victorian currency and the currency of the reigning king, Edward VII.

“To whoever shall open the sealed leaden box containing these papers, I commend this envelope and its contents for preservation. DS Browne, February 6th 1905,” the letter said. His handwritten family history described how the Brownes of Breaffy were said to have come to Mayo during the time of King Henry VIII, and settled initially in The Neale. The family is related to the Brownes of Westport House, recently put up for sale.

The time capsule was discovered during renovations at what is now the Breaffy House Resort, outside Castlebar, Co Mayo, which was purchased by a consortium, including Liam Healy of the Healy Mac’s Irish bar and restaurant chain, in August 2014. During work on the new bar, the construction team came across the lead case in a wall. Advice is to be sought on preserving the contents.