Ireland Trip #63: Rock of Cashel's Haunted Hall of Vicars, Round Tower

The Round Tower next to the Cathedral

Yesterday we introduced you to the Rock of Cashel. Today in Blog #63, we'll take you into what we found to be the only haunted room, since this castle/cathedral lies in ruins for the most part. We'll also show you one of the only existing "Round Towers" in Ireland.

WHAT IS IT?  The Rock of Cashel, also known as Cashel of the Kings and St. Patrick's Rock, is a historic site located at Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland

The Vicar's Choral (Quarters)

THE ROUND TOWER- The round tower is 90 feet high and constructed of sandstone. It dates back to 1100 A.D.  It's Gaelic name means "Bell House" (don't ask me how to spell it's Gaelic name). We were told there are about 80 round towers left in all of Ireland, and this was one of the few intact ones standing. The doors were 5 feet off the ground for structural reasons, to help keep the tower sturdy. In addition, it helped with defense if no one could get into the door (they used ladders and pulled them up before attackers came).


THE VICARS CHORAL (QUARTERS)-  This is one of the only rooms that has been revitalized and rebuilt on the property in 1975. This room and structure was built in the 15th century. It was where clerics and clergyman stayed. Originally there were 8, then reduced to 5. This continued until 1836.
  In the upstairs  the kitchen and dining room were redone, too.

The upstairs kitchen in the Vicar's Choral

THE  RESIDUAL GHOSTLY ENERGY THERE- Anytime you're in a place that there was a lot of emotion, whether positive or negative, it leaves behind a "thumbprint" of energy that is either good or bad, depending on the emotions of the people and the events that dwelled there. 

When we walked into this room, I (Rob) got a headache, and sensed a lot of energy there. It was residual, meaning that it wasn't a ghost I could talk to and get answers from. It was a thumbprint of energy - and it was strong enough that I got the sense of several men (only men) in this building talking about politics (rule) and religion of the time (1500s) (which makes sense that these religious folk would be scared of invasions from England and have their cathedral and castle and land challenged.)

Rock of Cashel

I also experience tightness in my throat when I was in the room, almost like smoking (although I confess I wouldn't know what that feels like). There were no intelligent haunts there, although it is a site where a lot of people likely perished. Because the place is mostly in ruins, it wouldn't hold the energy of the ghosts that were attached to it, so they likely moved on.

NEXT: Cashel's Roofless Cathedral

Ireland Trip #62: Arrival at the Rock of Cashel: and High Cross "Chop"!

The Rock of Cashel

This is blog #62 of our Ireland trip and we're nearing the end of the 9 day vacation here. In fact, after visiting this castle we returned to Dublin for a night before leaving for home. However, there's still a lot of interesting stuff to cover. This will be the first of a couple of blogs about the Rock of Cashel! ... and there's a lot of history here, so come along!

WHAT IS THE ROCK OF CASHEL? - Well, I thought it was a big rock. It isn't. It's a site with a castle and a cathedral. The Rock of Cashel, also known as Cashel of the Kings and St. Patrick's Rock, is a historic site located at Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland. The word "Cashel" means "Fortress." According to our tour guide Seamus (A good Irish name), this site was a fortress to kings from 300 AD to 1100 AD (when it was presented to the church). By the 1730s, though, this site was abandoned and fell into disrepair (missing part of a roof, etc.). However, it was re-discovered and made into a National Monument.

Sign about St. Patrick's Rock

 
ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL & THE MURDEROUS EARL - The "Rock of Cashel" included St. Patrick's Cathedral (now roofless) which was built in the 13th century and used until 1748. 

"The murderous Earl"

   On September 12, 1647, Murrough McDermod O'Brien, 1st Earl of Inchiquin massacred hundreds of people here. (O'Brien studied war in the Spanish service. He would not convert to Anglicanism and fought against the confederate Catholics on the outbreak of the Irish Rebellion of 1641).
    Failing to make a breach with his guns, Inchiquin piled up turf against the wall of the enclosure and set fire to it.  About thirty priests and friars died. According to Ludlow three thousand were slaughtered, "the priests being taken even from under the altar." 

The High Cross

"HIGH CROSS" STONE "CHOP" - After going through the entrance, we walked back outside in a small courtyard where we met our tour group. They gathered around a stone piece called "The High Cross." It's actually supposed to be a figure that represents a Bishop. Apparently whomever the Bishop was fell out of favor with the people because the head was cut off!  

FOLKLORE OF THE HIGH CROSS - Seamus told us that if you can put your arms around the "High Cross" and touch hands, legend says that you won't have a toothache for a year." Apparently, when it was erected a lot of people had tooth problems (since there were no dentists), so that weird folklore got started. 

TROPHY MODEL - Despite the fact that the "High Cross" is supposed to be a now headless Bishop, it became a model for a trophy of the Gaelic games, according to our tour guide.

NEXT: CASHEL'S HAUNTED HALL OF VICARS

Ireland Trip #61: Why we were so "Dunne" With Cork

Tom and Rob looking for dinner in Cork

In blog #61 about our Ireland trip, we could tell you about another ghost in Cork County, Ireland, but we didn't visit Charles Fort where the ghost of a "White Lady" walks. Instead, we'll just share our brief feelings about walking around in Cork City and why after a short time we were "Dunne" with Cork and wanted to move on.

CRAZY, TIGHT DOWNHILL STREET- After leaving the really fascinating Cork City Gaol (Jail), the only way into downtown Cork (which ran west to east along the River Lee) was to drive down (and on the LEFT side of the street) a crazy, tight, winding, downhill street, that had cars parked along either side. Of course the street wasn't really wide enough for cars going up and down it, but they were supposed to!  We made it though, and our anti-antiperspirant was working overtime.

The River Lee from our Hotel in Cork

Downtown Cork City

RIVER LEE HOTEL - One of the best things in Cork, aside from the cool Cork City Gaol was the hotel we stayed in. It was called the River Lee Hotel, and overlooked the River Lee! The room was beautiful and clean, and it was a nice, quiet hotel. If you go to Cork, stay there (and thank Anne Marie Clarke of Across the Pond Travel for finding it).

Cork City buildngs along the River Lee

DOWNTOWN DINNER DILEMMA - I can't remember if it was a weekend or week night that we were in Cork, but many things were closed. Add that to the fact that Cork City appears to be in a state of bad economy, as there were some empty storefronts. We went into a pub for a sandwich (which was displayed on their menu) because we weren't that hungry... but we learned that all restaurants STOP serving sandwiches at 6 p.m. Of course it was 6:05pm when we asked. The only option was to order a full dinner at 20 to 25 Euros ($27 to $32 U.S.) and we weren't that hungry.

Eating our sandwiches on the bridge

MAKING THE BEST OF IT -   So, we opted for our famous "buy a sandwich in a market or pharmacy" trick. The downtown was basically devoid of people, and those that were out walking were smoking like fiends. Many businesses were closed or storefronts were vacant, and there was little activity. Cork did not leave a good impression upon us. So we walked back to the hotel and sat outside on a nearby bridge to eat dinner.

We are so "Dunne" with Cork City!

"WE ARE DUNNE WITH CORK" - While walking back to the hotel with our sandwiches, we saw a sign for "Dunnes Store" so we took a picture in front of it. We were both unimpressed with Cork and thought it dirty and rundown... so after several hours there, we were simply "Dunne."

NEXT: THE ROCK OF CASHEL!

Ireland Trip #60: Cork City Gaol: Our Favorite Kind of Prisoners

Tom and Rob pose in a cell made for a certain kind of inmate

This is Ireland Trip #60, when we were visiting the Cork City Gaol, Cork City,  Ireland. It was here that we noticed special cells for a certain kind of prisoner- one that we totally agree with putting behind bars to keep the public safe. 

A look out the a back window to the "yard"

In the U.S. we need prisons for these!

While walking through the prison, very few areas were marked for a certain kind of prisoner. In fact, I think there were just two specific areas. The one that we agree with was for "Republican Prisoners!" We can think of many like this who belong in bars in the U.S. (Sorry, republican friends- it excludes you of course!)

NOTE: I couldn't title the blog "Our favorite kind of prisoners and punishments" or you'd think we liked being punished. Although there are some guys we know that likely do! LOL
Here's part 2 of the blog: 

Dates in the history of the Gaol in 1868 executions were moved inside the Gaol.

Whipping was common in this gaol.

WHIPPING AND OTHER PUNISHMENTS - 
According to Cork City Gaol.com:  Prisoners were subjected to very stiff rules and regulations, and anyone who broke the law was severely punished. Part of the punishment was a trip to the yard outside, to do time on the Treadwheel. This was forty feet long, operated by five prisoners, working in shifts, usually twenty minutes at a time, but this depended on the speed of the prisoner using the Treadwheel. The ringing of the bell was the signal for the prisoner to take a break. The women prisoners were also able to knit, at the same time as they were doing time on the Treadwheel. In later years it was purely a form of punishment used in lieu of solitary confinement for hard labour prisoners. Prior to 1858 the Treadwheel was used to raise water, and grind flour. That same year some improvements took place in prison conditions-woollen suits were substituted for the old type coarse flax worn by male prisoners, and hot pipes warmed a number of cells.
(Source: http://corkcitygaol.com/about/educational/rules-regulations-and-the-treadwheel/

Panorama of the Gaol

NEXT: WHY WE ARE SO "DUNNE" WITH CORK

Ireland Trip #59: Cork City Gaol: Cell Experience

Entrance to a cell

In this blog, you'ss experience what it's like to be in a creepy Cork City Gaol (jail) cell. We were of course, in Cork City, Cork County, Ireland.

inside of a cell

Back of the Cork City Gaol

  One of the exhibits in this prison turned museum allowed visitors to go inside a small, damp cell (with a paltry 2 inch mattress pad on the floor) and close the door. If you're not claustrophobic before going into a cell you will be by the time you come out. 







VIDEO: https://youtu.be/e8St3j_K0WQ  




NEXT: Our Favorite Kind of Prisoners         

Great book: GRIMM (from the TV show) "Icy Touch"

I (Rob) being the avid reader (I read about a book every 2 weeks if you couldn't tell from all my blog reviews here!) recently decided to take a chance on a paperback novel about the NBC TV series "GRIMM." I just finished reading "GRIMM: The Icy Touch" by John Shirley.
  For those who don't know the TV series, Nick is a Police Officer in Portland, Oregon and a "Grimm," - i.e. a human who can see beasts noted in "Grimm brothers fairy tales" that actually walk the Earth -in human form, but can transform into "beasts" of different nature. (Some are wolves, beavers, reptiles, birds, ogres, trolls, etc.) . His job allows him and and his partner Hank Griffin to respond to weird murder cases (that always involve these beasts -known as Wesen).
  I didn't know what to expect from the book, since Tom and I have only really been watching the TV show for the last year or two (Its been on for several seasons)... but THE BOOK WAS GREAT!  
   In fact, it was fast paced, and kept me wanting to read more. I actually finished it in a little over a week.
If you know the TV show, READ IT!! If you don't know the TV show, but like some science fiction/police stories, READ IT! 
- Rob

SUMMARY: Back in the 19th century a Wesen and a Grimm fight to the death. The Grimm wins, but the Wesen’s son escapes and vows revenge. In the present day, Captain Renard sends Nick and Hank to investigate an international crime cartel named Le Touche Givre (The Icy Touch). They discover this deadly gang is run by Wesen, and is involved in various illegal activities, including forced prostitution and drug pushing. As they close in on the gang, Nick begins to realise that their charismatic and dangerous leader is just as intent on tracking him down…

Cool Dog Jobs in the News; Sniffing out Elephant Ivory from Poachers

We love reading about dogs with jobs. Dogs are a lot smarter than people think. Just look at this article! 

THESE DOGS SNIFF OUT ELEPHANT IVORY!

  "Will Powell, the director of AWF's Conservation Canine Program, just finished training 10 dogs and 14 handlers to monitor two epicenters of the ongoing poaching crisis that's devastated elephant and rhino populations. The program has been running alongside officials from the Kenyan Wildlife Service and Tanzania's Wildlife Division for the past two months, and the detection teams will soon help patrol the ports of Dar and Mombasa."
STORY: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/dogs-elephant-ivory_55b10a7ee4b07af29d57a677?utm_hp_ref=whats-working&ncid=newsltushpmg00000003

Ireland Trip # 58: A Look at the Architecture of the Cork City Gaol & a Ghost

This is a panoramic shot I managed to take!

In this blog, we'll take a look at the architecture of the creepy Cork City Gaol, because Tom is an architect and has an appreciation for it! Of course, we also ran into a ghost in one of the outbuildings.

The museum's website: http://corkcitygaol.com/about/architecture/ 
said: The Cork City Gaol was built in 1824. It is a listed building, an important part of Irish architectural heritage. A fine example of the work of Sir Thomas Deane, it dates from one of the most distinguished periods in Cork’s architectural history.

Western side of the Gaol

It is a wonderful piece of Georgian/Gothic architecture, with a number of particularly pleasant and unusual features – in fact, from the outside, it looks more like a castle than a purpose built prison. The classical proportions of the building feature Gothic details such as turreted battlements, dripstones etc. The basic shape of the main building is like the capital letter “H”, with the Governor’s House forming the central block.
At each end of the Governor’s House are circular drum galleries, 3 storeys high linking into the cell wings. These are lighted from central roof lanterns. The ends of each of the single-sided cell wings have beautifully proportioned circular towers, offsetting the austerity of the wings.

Hallway in an outbuilding

The remodelled (1870s) double-sided West cell wing, in contrast to the others, gives a remarkable sense of space with its high arched hallway and catwalks on either side giving access to the cells. Behind the main building was the Hospital and also, the Debtors Prison (both yet to be restored).

GHOST IN THE OUTBUILDING - Of course, ghosts weren't just limited to the main gaol. There was one in the outbuilding, too, and he gave me his name! 
  As we walked by the outbuilding (pictured here with the long, empty corridor) Tom said he smelled a "sickly sweet smell." Right at that time I clearly heard the name "MacGhee!" from inside the building. Of course, there was no one there... it was just a former inmate or employee calling out a name (which may or may not have been his). 

One of the outbuildings behind the Gaol

The entire Gaol complex is contained within an oval outer wall, with entry through the Gatehouse ……
an entrance door of strong oak, studded with flat nails and situated under the Gallows.

Backside of the Gaol

NEXT: WHAT IT"S LIKE TO BE IN A CELL

Ireland Trip #57: Encounters with Many Ghosts in Cork City Gaol!

A glance down a hallway

In this blog about our Ireland Trip, you'll read about our many encounters with ghosts in Cork City Gaol and you'll see a ghost walk across a hallway in two photos.

ENCOUNTER #1 - RESIDUAL HAUNT - Not a ghost, but an impression -As we walked into the front entrance of the Gaol (pictures in yesterday's blog), I (Rob) heard lots of shouting outside. In the entry way are mannequins of two women, one of which was imprisoned there for some minor crime. Across from them is a room where the warden sat. When I walked inside I suddenly had a strong headache in the front right side of my head - feeling the energy in the room. It must've been strong emotional energy of turmoil and irritation. The warden's office was called "The Governor's Office."

ENCOUNTER #2 - INTELLIGENT HAUNT - An Interactive Ghost -  In the west wing "Drum Gallery" I felt like I was being hit hard on the left shoulder from behind. I was told "I am a prisoner here. I was hit and beaten by a guard - the beating left the back of my head bleeding."  Suddenly the back of my head felt painful and warm, as if I were feeling the sensation of warm blood oozing out of my skull after being hit in the head. I asked him his name and why he was in the Gaol. He said "My name is Daniel. I stole horses and sheep." Apparently, he also died in the jail, most likely from his head injuries. He still walks around.

Wax figures of a former prisoner

ENCOUNTER #3- Residual Haunt - Near Thomas Raille's Cell - I felt very light-headed. There was a 'thumbprint" of bad energy left behind from that prisoner. I don't know what he did or who he was, but he wasn't a nice man.

Ghost #4 at top of stairs

The Northern Corridor where I photographed the ghost (barred door)

ENCOUNTER #4- INTELLIGENT HAUNT -  At the top of the stairs on Level #2, we both got intense headaches on the tops of our heads. We confirmed it with each other. We both heard the name "Gaed" - perhaps someone calling for the guard, or "god"?  We aren't sure.  What we BOTH sensed was that prisoner had a nasty disposition, he was a thief and a drunk. He also died in the prison and was beaten to death by a guard. He still walks the second floor and shared the pain of his death (beating to the head) with us.

ENCOUNTER #5 - RESIDUAL HAUNT- On the second floor in the Eastern Corridor, I felt dizzy. I suddenly was filled with fear and anxiety, I felt the misery of being locked up in there.

ENCOUNTER #6- CATCHING A GHOST ON CAMERA!!!
This is the big one. I actually caught a photo of a ghost walking across one of the corridors. We stopped at the Northern Corridor, which housed more cells. This corridor (pictured right) was sealed off with bars.
   I felt some presence in that corridor, so I put the camera through the bars and took three photos. I the third photo there is a figure (it appears to be a man hunched over) in kind of a green glow. The figure did NOT appear in the other two photos that I took immediately beforehand. You can see for yourself as I put the photos together in sequence below. In addition, the one photo with the figure is below that, too, and enlarged.

Photo with the Ghost at the end of the hall (green)

ENCOUNTER #7 - INTELLIGENT HAUNT - As we were walking out the front door, I got a feeling of being shot or hit on the left side of my head. Then I realized that there was a ghost there and he was telling me that's how he was executed, and it was done on the front lawn of the Gaol. Since that was the last time he saw the outside (he was in prison for so long, he stayed after he died..

HERE'S A COLOR ENHANCED VERSION OF THE PHOTO (RIGHT) WITH THE GHOST IN THE HALLWAY: 

NEXT: Prison Architecture and ONE more GHOST

Ireland Trip #56: Behind Bars in the Cork City Gaol (Jail)

Backyard of the Cork City Gaol

After leaving Blarney Castle we drove southeast to Cork City, located at the southern end of the country. We'll walk you through Cork in a later blog.  Here in Blog #55 of our Ireland trip, we'll begin to explore the famous or infamous Cork City Gaol (Jail), now an historic building that tourists can explore. This blog is of course, loaded with experiences in the supernatural. My (Rob) senses were in full-swing here and we even caught a ghost on camera (which we will show you later).

WHAT IS CORK CITY GAOL? - It's a former prison, now a museum, located on Convent

Entrance into the West wing

A look into the backyard

Ave, Cork City, Ireland Cork, Ireland. According to the website (Corkcitygaol.com):

Three levels of small cells

 This Gaol once housed 19th century prisoners. Visitors get a fascinating insight into day to day prison life at a time when the high walls ensured no escape and denied law abiding citizens the opportunity to see one of the finest examples of Ireland’s architectural heritage

West wing of the Gaol

WHAT IS IT LIKE INSIDE? -  Stepping inside visitors are taken back in time to the 19th century. Wandering through the wings of the Gaol, the atmosphere suggests you are accompanied by the shuffling feet of inmates, each representing their particular period in Irish history from pre –famine times to the foundation of the state. The cells are furnished with amazingly life like wax figures; original graffiti on cell walls tell the innermost feelings of some inmates while a very spectacular audio visual tells the social history and contrasting lifestyles of the 19th century Cork and why some people turned to crime, and some ended up in Australia

NEXT: LOTS OF GHOSTLY EXPERIENCES IN THE GAOL

25 SECOND .VIDEO PEEK: https://youtu.be/Nn6wVOntEkU