Ireland Trip Part 22: The Ghostly Soldier and O'Brien's Bridge

Former residence of the ghostl y

Today's Blog of our Ireland Trip is Part 22: The Ghostly Soldier and O'Brien's Bridge. Galway appeared to be a small city, but there was a lot to see. There are a lot of ghostly legends in the town, too. As we walked near St. Nicholas Church,our tourguide told us about a ghost who has been seen quite often in the vicinity.
  
THE GHOSTLY SOLIDER- On Bowling Green Street, people have reported seeing a ghostly soldier walk back and forth. The sightings have happened for over 100 years, apparently. The soldier is said to be a 14 year old boy who lived in one of the houses on the street. He was told not to drink the water from the nearby river, because it would cause sickness. Yet, he did drink it, and as a result, he fell ill and died in that street. So, next time you're in Galway and you walk past Bowling Green Street, look carefully.

THE LEGEND OF O'BRIEN'S BRIDGE - The first bridge over the Corrib River was the "West Bridge," where O'Brien's Bridge stands today. The town side of the bridge was heavily fortified, and it was here, on an arch that the legend "From the ferocious O'Flahertys O Lord deliver us" was reputedly carved.

O'Briens Bridge

SUICIDE BRIDGE - O'Brian's Bridge also has
the weird distinction of being known as suicide bridge. Several teenagers have jumped from this bridge into the roiling river below and committed suicide. What's odd, is that the suicides have always happened in the winter months. There's a myth that says these teens are driven to suicide because of the "presence in the river" - like a water elemental of sorts, that draws them in and convinces them to jump. 

NEXT: WE ENCOUNTER GHOSTS AT THE GALWAY MALL, NOT ON THE TOUR