Ghoulway girls (and boys)
★ AS we gear up to celebrate St Patrick’s Day on Sunday pause for a moment from taking a sip of Guinness as it’s all about the ghouls.
★ Here KIM CARR reveals spooky stories from the Emerald Isle that’ll make you want to hide behind the nearest shamrock…
LOFTUS HALL: This 1300s mansion in County Wexford hosts the poltergeist of Anne Loftus, who went mad after a visit from the Devil and was locked up by her family till her death in 1775. Satan arrived in disguise as a passenger off a ship and she fell in love with him. One night as they played a game of cards it’s said Anne saw his cloven hooves and as she screamed he burst into a ball of fire through the roof.
LEAP CASTLE: A partial ruin in Coolderry, County Offaly has an elemental – something which attaches itself to a certain place – known as “It” which boasts a decaying face and is said to be the size of a sheep. Leaving a scent of sulphur it’s said to have risen after Mildred Darby dabbled in witchcraft there in 1909. There’s also the Red Lady ghost, who carries a dagger, and two young girl spooks, one of which drags a deformed leg behind her after falling from the castle walls.
ST KEVIN’S ASYLUM: Considered the most haunted place in Cork, this former mental institution has reported sounds of footsteps along with an eerie feeling of being watched. Ghost hunters have struggled to stay longer than a few hours before the thick air affected their breathing.
ST COLUMB’S CATHEDRAL: When renovations in 1867 disturbed the grave of a former bishop, spooky stuff began happening. His tomb was taken into the cathedral and the organ would play by itself and apparitions were recorded in photos.
MALAHIDE CASTLE:
It’s no joke to say a murdered jester called Punk continues to find entertainment at this medieval fortress on the coast of Dublin. History says he fell in love with a castle prisoner and was stabbed in the heart when his secret was discovered. In his final words he vowed to haunt the castle forever.
DUCKETT’S GROVE: At this County Carlow ruined 19th century former home of the Duckett family – descendants of William the Conqueror and King Edward I – balls of light and the shadow of a figure were caught on a video clip and said to be the ghost of former owner William Duckett.
KILKENNY RIVER: Running through the city in County Kilkenny the stretch of water was flooded in 1763 and 16 people died while crossing John’s Bridge as it collapsed, sending them into the icy depths. Since then locals have reported seeing ghostly figures scratching at the banks.
KILMAINHAM GAOL: This former prison in Dublin was turned into a museum in the sixties. During the renovations lights would mysteriously turn on and off in the prison chapel and a bloke painting the dungeon area was blown against a wall by a gust of wind, which came out of nowhere. Poltergeist activity continues to be reported to this day along with apparitions and disembodied voices.