I don't believe in them, but they are there!

Ireland is a land of Celtic twilights, half truths and things part-seen. For all the march of progress there are still men who say "I don't believe in them but they are there." Yes. Ireland's ghosts are there, some tape-recordings of the past, others not so easily explained. I believe that some events in history generate such a high charge of emotion into the atmosphere that this leaves a permanent impression on the immediate surroundings. Under certain conditions and to certain 'receivers' the recorded events then get replayed, and the unfortunate witness is convinced he has seen a returned spirit. Such is probably the explanation for what happened at Ballyheigh Castle.

In June 1962, a Capt. O'Donnell from England was photographing the remains of the castle, a picturesque ruin dominating a remote and beautiful bay in Co. Kerry. When the film was developed, the unmistakeable form of an 18th century swordsman appeared in the print. This naturally prompted Capt. O'Donnell to investigate the history of the castle and the story he turned up would have provided the plot for an Errol Flynn movie. It seems that in 1730 the chatelaine of the castle, Lady Margaret Crosbie became involved in the local ploy of 'Wrecking' - luring ships to their doom by means of bobbing lights on the shore. A Danish vessel, the 'Golden Lyon' became their victim. After rescuing her crew and their chests of silver, the local populace then raided the castle, where they had taken refuge with a supposedly sympathetic Lady Crosbie. The crew led by their master, Capt. Heitman, died in defence of their treasure. It was upon the anniversary of this raid that Capt. O'Donnell took his extraordinary photograph.

Ghosts are not confined to isolated castles. In Molesowrth Street in Dublin there is a terrace of Georgian houses, many now used as antique shops. Late one night my husband and I were returning to our car, when our eyes were simultaneously caught by a figure standing at the long window of a first floor room over a shop. She was a young woman wearing a dark dress with a fichu and mob cap. Her arms rested on a crossbar of the window. We both stood and watched her for several minutes. She dropped her head onto one arm and her body appeared to shake with sobs. It slowly dawned on my husband that we were experiencing something most unusual and he insisted on us driving away at once. I returned next morning. No - the antique shop owner could not explain it. His shop and store rooms above had been locked up all night - Another video tape recording?

The supernatural has always fascinated Man and the sprigs of the 18th century Irish Aristocracy were no exception. Several young men from prominent Anglo-Irish families joined to build the notorious Hell-fire Club, the ruins of which still stand upon the hill overlooking the Dublin suburb of Rathfarnham. Only the initiated knew what went on within these walls, but it was generally believed to be some form of Satanism, in imitation of the Hell-fire Club in England. It took a special Act of Parliament to close the club after a particularly fiendish orgy which culminated in a footman being set alight and dying in agony as he fled the scene. There is a marvellous painting in the National Gallery in Dublin of the founders of the club drinking a toast from a human skull.

Death warnings and banshees have long been a part of Irish lore. The strangest story of all concerns the Viscounts Gormanston. A long time ago, the current Lord Gormanston was said to have saved a vixen and her cubs from the hounds. Ever since, upon the death of the head of the family, real flesh-and-blood foxes congregate at the Castle in Co. Meath. They sit for several days around the building, ignoring the domestic livestock. Once the funeral is over they take their departure.

There have been countless claims for the appearance of departing souls to those they love at the moment of death. A famous story has been passed down in Ireland about Lord Tyrone and Nichola Sophia Hamilton who married Sir Tristan Beresford of Gill Hall in Co. Down. Both orphaned in the 18th century, Lord Tyrone was lady Beresford's foster brother and they were raised as Deists by their guardian. When young they made a pact that whosoever died first would return to the other as proof of life after death. Years went by and then one night Lady Beresford awoke beside her sleeping husband to find her foster brother standing at her bedside. He told her he had just died and forecast many events in her life including the year of her death. As proof that she was not dreaming he touched her wrist which immediately shrivelled, making it necessary for her to wear a black velvet ribbon over it for the rest of her life. Everything he forecast came to pass and she died on her birthday in the year he said.

Unfortunately there are many families with a tale to tell who dare not tell it for fear of local gossip. Somehow though, the neighbours always seem to know. It is hard to keep a secret in Ireland. However it is rare indeed for anyone to be harmed by a 'ghost;' in fact some ghosts are even most helpful. A cottage I knew in Newcastle, Co. Down, had a most kindly spirit who would visit the baby when he cried. On several occasions his mother saw a figure disappear into his room and the crying always stopped.

However we choose to view the subject, scientifically or with a belief in earthbound spirits, the fact remains that there are far too many well documented cases of hauntings and similar phenomena for them all to be brushed aside as figments of the imagination. If we are truly honest with ourselves we too must say 'I don't believe in them but they are there.'
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