loftus hall

Jessica xxx · 15-09-2013 1:20am

So the house is now open to the public? Jeeze....where have i been? Last time i was in that place it was a wreck.....

xzanti · 24-09-2013 3:59pm

I was there in August.. they have family tours during the day and Adult Only tours at night.. I think the adult only tour would be great fun, especially around Halloween..

There's a decent enough restaurant and a little gift shop.. the tour only takes you around the ground floor as upstairs is as yet unsafe..

They hope to have it completely renovated within the next 15-20 years :eek: as funding is very tight and it would cost millions apparently..

It is a fascinating place.. our tour guide was very good, quite an animated chap.. which added to the atmosphere

I recommend the tour.. great way to pass a Sunday.

Oryx · 24-09-2013 4:00pm

I thought the tour was a little idiotic, and full of crazy made up stories. But a bit of craic.

xzanti · 24-09-2013 4:42pm

Oryx wrote: »

I thought the tour was a little idiotic, and full of crazy made up stories. But a bit of craic.

Yeah some of the stuff they were telling us sounded a bit hairy alright

but as you say... good craic all the same!

maccored · 25-09-2013 12:06pm

i find it amazing they tell the ghost story about Anne Tottenham as that happened in 1775 (apparently, even though its identical to the story told of the hell fire club) and the present house wasnt built until 1870 - almost a century later.

xzanti · 25-09-2013 5:34pm

maccored wrote: »

present house wasnt built until 1870 - almost a century later.

The Tour Guide assured us that what presently stands is not a new building, but the original with some extension work done to the facade to make it look new.. done in preparation for a Royal visit which never came to be, apparently..

He showed us some 'before and after' images of the house and it did look like the same building but with some bits added on and moved around.

Having said that.. he also told us that the beautiful mosaic floor in the reception hall was designed and handcrafted by 2 Italian Brothers who subsequently had their hands chopped off upon completion of their work... to ensure that the floor would be a 'one off' piece..

Sure who cares if it's true or not.. it's entertaining and an excuse to get inside a very old and pretty spectacular building

maccored · 25-09-2013 6:38pm

The building that exists today was built between 1870 and 1871 by the 4th Marquess of Ely.

One cant deny history. Im sure theres historical records.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loftus_Hall

xzanti wrote: »

The Tour Guide assured us that what presently stands is not a new building, but the original with some extension work done to the facade to make it look new.. done in preparation for a Royal visit which never came to be, apparently..

He showed us some 'before and after' images of the house and it did look like the same building but with some bits added on and moved around.

Having said that.. he also told us that the beautiful mosaic floor in the reception hall was designed and handcrafted by 2 Italian Brothers who subsequently had their hands chopped off upon completion of their work... to ensure that the floor would be a 'one off' piece..

Sure who cares if it's true or not.. it's entertaining and an excuse to get inside a very old and pretty spectacular building

AI · 26-09-2013 8:43am

There were three structures on the site. A fourteenth century fortified residence called Redmond Hall, a late 17th century/early 18th century house (Loftus Hall 1) and the structure which currently occupies the site built in 1871 (Loftus Hall 2). Redmond Hall was largely demolished to make way for Loftus Hall 1 but when you look at pictures of Loftus Hall 1 and Loftus Hall 2 it is clear the structure is mostly the same.

Externally the ground floor windows were lengthened and the attic story of the earlier house changed to a full third storey. You can also see the changes on the first edition maps (circa 1840) vs second edition maps (circa 1900) where the main body of the house is the same. So you could say that the house where the devil supposedly appeared is the same house that exists today.

I went on the tour and thought it very cheesy but the guide knew this and all in all it was a bit of a giggle. There is a lot of total nonsense on the tour with made up stories etc I guess they are just trying to entertain you.

A friend was recently passing Loftus and saw the lights on so went up for a look. The cafe joined to the side of the house was filled with leather clad folk in various states of undress - it was a bondage party in full swing!!

For what it’s worth I have diary entries from the antiquarian artist Gabriel Beranger who stayed in the house in 1780 less than eight years after the supposed devils visit and he records various things about the house but nothing about its ghosts. Surely he would have mentioned something about the devil/ghosts if there was anything factual in the story.

xzanti · 26-09-2013 10:58am

AI wrote: »

I went on the tour and thought it very cheesy but the guide new this and all in all it was a bit of a giggle. There is a lot of total nonsense on the tour with made up stories etc I guess they are just trying to entertain you.
.

Exactly.. and by taking the tour you're contributing towards the preservation of a magnificent piece of heritage..

I would love to see the entire building restored! It would be amazing.

kylith · 04-10-2013 10:09am

xzanti wrote: »

I was there in August.. they have family tours during the day and Adult Only tours at night.. I think the adult only tour would be great fun, especially around Halloween..

There's a decent enough restaurant and a little gift shop.. the tour only takes you around the ground floor as upstairs is as yet unsafe..

They hope to have it completely renovated within the next 15-20 years :eek: as funding is very tight and it would cost millions apparently..

It is a fascinating place.. our tour guide was very good, quite an animated chap.. which added to the atmosphere

I recommend the tour.. great way to pass a Sunday.

Glad to hear it's been reopened and is being put to good use. I was there many years ago, before it started to go to ruin, and thoroughly enjoyed having a look around.

MelissaLoftus · 30-10-2013 6:03pm

Can anyone tell me the current ownership situation with Loftus Hall? Even though it is not the original building, my husband still feels a connection with the property with his ancestors. Thanks!

Milly33 · 30-10-2013 9:19pm

in saying still feels a connection what do you mean. is he related

MelissaLoftus · 30-10-2013 9:19pm

Yes, hence my name

Milly33 · 30-10-2013 9:22pm

I see I see. But sure would there not be something in the family to tell you this? no sorry not being smart but if twas loftus land as such.. I know years ago I got onto the wexford library and they gave me loadsa details about it so maybe they might be worth a go that or just ring and ask

MelissaLoftus · 30-10-2013 9:24pm

That's the thing, we live in the US so don't have easy access to some of the resources in Ireland. I had heard the Hall was now owned by a haunted house company, but did not know if it was true or if they were still the owners.

Milly33 · 30-10-2013 9:27pm

Ah all the way from America jaysus tis a popular spot boards

Id say if you popped them an email and ask they are on facebook too and are quite quick to come back, I am sure they would provide you with some information

mac.the.hat · 02-12-2013 10:01am

The Hall was bought in late 2011 by a Wexford property developer and it now operates as a business, drawing very much on the legend and the stories. The owner has (by his own admission) brought in a multimedia company to "enrich" the experience for visitors. Yes, there are sound effects, projectors and apparently refrigeration units to provide "ghostly" chills and excitement. There is also apparently a hole in the roof which is visible for all to see, although when a local ghosthunting team Wexford Paranormal spent a night in the hall under previous ownership, there was no hole in the roof.

There was plenty of paranormal activity documented by very reliable sources in the original building up as far as 1869 and it was knocked to the ground in 1870. The Tapestry Room is where all the hauntings were documented and it was upstairs in the original building. There is also a "Tapestry Room" downstairs in the present building. Interestingly enough, the activity was by all accounts reported to Queen Victoria who apparently replied that she did not believe in such things but not to tell Albert as he did. The present building was completed in 1871 and it is not in the same location as the original. Comes reasonably close at one point alright, but it is definitely not the same building.

Fabulous building and very disappointing to see it turned into what can be described as little more than a circus, combined with a rewrite of history. By the way, there is another version of the story (and a far more likely one at that) that suggests a handsome stranger, a bored young lady, a liaison and a pregnancy that had to be covered up at all costs. Who knows?

The Wexford Paranormal video is here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_T5OKE1Zwk on Youtube if anybody fancies a watch. Interesting to see the inside of Loftus Hall at night in the dark but the footage of the Hall is all nightvision video.

History Press are due to publish a book entitled "Haunted Wexford" in mid-2014 and I understand that Loftus Hall gets quite a mention.

face1990 · 07-12-2013 11:52pm

mac.the.hat wrote: »

Fabulous building and very disappointing to see it turned into what can be described as little more than a circus, combined with a rewrite of history.

It's far better than such a nice building to fall into even worse condition. Also I believe they are now doing historical & architectural tours (though I have been on one yet).

As for rewriting history, they're embellishing a ghost story for entertainment (like almost every ghost story ever).
If it pays the bills to restore the house, then fair play to them.

Green Hornet · 07-12-2013 11:56pm

Yeah, it's a stunning building, in a stunning location. From what I hear from some locals, the intention is to put money back into the place so its a win, win for me.

mickmackey1 · 08-12-2013 10:18pm

mac.the.hat wrote: »

The Wexford Paranormal video is here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_T5OKE1Zwk

Well the 'unexplained object' at 4.44 is nothing but the reflection from the bloke Michael's torch! I didn't bother with the rest of it :rolleyes:

Gumbi · 18-12-2013 2:51am

Why was it filmed in the dark? Surely this adds to their tentativeness, and their lack of sensory perception is asking for the mind to play tricks (how often do any of us think 5-6 foot trees lining a driveway at night are people for a split second?). Not to mention the classic "seek and ye shall find" probably one of the most accurate the hing the Bible... You go in with the mindset of expecting "strange" activity and every flash, sound etc becomes paranormal activity.

maccored · 18-12-2013 12:54pm

Gumbi wrote: »

Why was it filmed in the dark? Surely this adds to their tentativeness, and their lack of sensory perception is asking for the mind to play tricks (how often do any of us think 5-6 foot trees lining a driveway at night are people for a split second?). Not to mention the classic "seek and ye shall find" probably one of the most accurate the hing the Bible... You go in with the mindset of expecting "strange" activity and every flash, sound etc becomes paranormal activity.

I think thats part of the reason why tbh. Ever since most haunted hit the screens, people like the dark as its spookier. Doesnt help in researching the paranormal ... in fact some state that using infrared itself inhibits any kind of paranormal activity.

The biggest rip off ever is the full spectrum cameras. they arent even based on the multi spectrum ones used in ghost hunters/GHI/Fact or Faked etc.

Idbatterim · 07-04-2014 6:32pm

was down here over the weekend, having been in the bar about 20 years ago... A bloody travesty that it was allowed to get into the state it did, the roof has now been replaced, but the parquet floor around the grand stair case and a lot the ceilings were damaged.

mac.the.hat · 11-04-2014 10:21am

Wexford Paranormal found absolutely nothing in Loftus Hall. In fact they have described it as one of the quietest places they have ever visited and other investigation teams from around Ireland have said exactly the same. Fantastic building but that's about it.

macslash · 07-08-2014 6:02pm

Heard a piece on this on The Last Word just there. Some paranormal team from America did an investigation last night. There will be a 2 hour documentary made about apparently. Not sure on the details. Apparently they said it was the most interesting place in the world they had investigated!

mac.the.hat · 07-08-2014 6:52pm

macslash wrote: »

Heard a piece on this on The Last Word just there. Some paranormal team from America did an investigation last night. There will be a 2 hour documentary made about apparently. Not sure on the details. Apparently they said it was the most interesting place in the world they had investigated!

Zac Bagans and Ghost Adventures are well noted for hyping things up to the last as well as using equipment incorrectly and getting spectacular results. Brings to mind the old adage about birds of a feather flocking together and wasn't there also one about a goose laying golden eggs??:

Milly33 · 08-08-2014 10:43am

Ohhh now I have the hump we wanted to do one there but they said ne

Not2Good · 08-08-2014 3:15pm

Milly33 wrote: »

Ohhh now I have the hump we wanted to do one there but they said ne

Sorry to hear that. Maybe now they will be more responsive??

mac.the.hat · 08-08-2014 6:32pm

Not2Good wrote: »

Sorry to hear that. Maybe now they will be more responsive??

Times must be hard. They're flogging the goose!

PrettyRad · 10-08-2014 4:05pm

A few weeks ago, my sister and her boyfriend headed off to Paris so my mam and I were charged with looking after their 3 year old, my goddaughter. We had read online that tours of the hall were family friendly, and recently I have had a heightened interest in the paranormal so we decided to drive down with my niece. The reception area felt a little gimmicky, with a lot of devil emblems around, and the tour had a similar feel, but I enjoyed myself all the same. It's designed to put you on edge and make you feel a bit uneasy as you're guided throughtge house. Not entirely factual-more focused on the legend, something I didn't mind one bit!

My niece was a bit unsettled once we entered the actual hall itself, which we originally put down to the dimly lit rooms and banging, until, that is, we entered the tapestry room.

Of course, this is not the original tapestry room but it is still reputed to be home to te ghost of Anne Tottenham. Ellie got noticeably more agitated in this room, and kept glancing at our tour guide, who I had told her was "only pretending" in an attempt to put her at ease. She then kept looking behind him and then away rather quickly, and squashed herself in between me and my mother. She asked me "is the girl in the back there pretending too?" and while I could see no-one, I assumed her imagination was overstimulated due to the surroundings. After that she became incredibly restless and kept gesturing to us that she wanted to be picked up. She looked ready to cry so I obliged and when she was right up next to me ear, she mumbled "she's coming over I don't like her, she's not nice like you"

Of course there are many logical explanations, but it still freaked me out a little.

Milly33 · 10-08-2014 8:35pm

Oh sounds very spooky..I know when we went on the tour the tour guide mentioned a similar story involving a kid again. They were in the tapestry room and the child kept looking in the corner and eventually piped up saying mum the lady in the corner is scaring me and she doesn't look friendly

PrettyRad · 11-08-2014 3:23pm

Milly33 wrote: »

Oh sounds very spooky..I know when we went on the tour the tour guide mentioned a similar story involving a kid again. They were in the tapestry room and the child kept looking in the corner and eventually piped up saying mum the lady in the corner is scaring me and she doesn't look friendly

Oh really? Our tour guide never mentioned anything like that, did say that the guide dog won't go into the tapestry room though. Creepy indeed.

Milly33 · 11-08-2014 3:46pm

We went for the night tour so maybe that was it if there are kids there they don't say anything that might scare them. I am nearly sure he said the girl saw whatever she saw in the corner of the room. It was odd when we went in there, we could smell matches burning as if someone had lit one and just blown it out, and himself thought he felt something on his neck. We defo smelt the matches and the guides didn't seem too surprised they said lots of odd things happen in there.

Yep he mentioned the dog alright.. I would love to get in there properly to spend more time there.. Would love it, grew up with the story thanks to an uncle and just loved the place..Even if tisnt haunted I would love to wonder around it properly to see it all

PrettyRad · 11-08-2014 3:55pm

I'd love to spend a night in there, or even take the tour again without Ellie (as terrible as it sounds). The tapestry room has a completely different feeling to the rest of the house, even I felt quite uneasy in there!

Milly33 · 12-08-2014 9:29am

Yeah I would love to get around the rest of the house, hopefully one day they might do it

Sephiroth_dude · 12-08-2014 10:08am

I didn't know they did tours up there,what state is the place in?

Milly33 · 12-08-2014 10:12am

yep it has been open quite a while now. They do a day time tour and a night time one for the older kids

It isn't in too bad a state at all. They have a nice welcome area before you go in and then they lead you through the bottom rooms of the house. It is a shame that you cannot go upstairs, it is not suppose to be in a bad state.

The gift shop aswell me thinks (it was when we were there) is closed in the evenings but id say If you asked they would let in. You can pick up a deck of cards..

I wont say much as it would spoil it but it isn't bad at all..I was just excited with finally getting into the building.. Tickets are cheaper too if you book online..Tis might windy up there too

Sephiroth_dude · 12-08-2014 10:23am

Are they renovating it atm too? Someone posted pics earlier in the thread and the place looks really shoddy and messed up.

Milly33 · 12-08-2014 10:33am

http://www.loftushall.ie/gallery.html

PrettyRad · 12-08-2014 11:49am

According to our guide, most of the structural work is done, although going upstairs is apparently not yet safe. They say the place is in a "Marie-Celeste" kind of state regarding decor, as in everything is more or less where they found it, but one can assume they've at least scrubbed off any signs of vandalism-I didn't see one spot of graffiti in there.

The staircase has been fixed up beautifully, judging by the terrible old pictures I've seen of the place when it was derelict.

The not-so-neat-and-tidy appearance of the place adds to the atmosphere, I think, although it'd be nice if they'd put actual windows back in.

Reebrock · 18-08-2014 2:11pm

6th wrote: »

Its going by Auction so thats not really an option.

Could all pool our money together :P;)

byhookorbycrook · 28-08-2014 9:08pm

Had been in the pub years back and finally got to do the tour recently. It is like a "haunted house" Disney would spend millions on- peeling wall paper, big old fireplaces, windows boarded over, whether you believe the stories or not, the tour is either a) good fun or b) cary. . You're not allowed to take photos inside ,but the stairs and entrance hall are worth the price of the tour alone.

Wouldn't stay overnight there ,though.

gouche · 28-08-2014 9:10pm

There's a story doing the rounds at the minute regarding a photo supposedly showing a little girl in one of the downstairs windows.
Here's the link: http://metro.co.uk/2014/08/27/ghost-of-little-girl-photographed-in-notorious-haunted-mansion-loftus-hall-4848380/

And here's the photo:

Doesn't seem a whole lot in it to me.
Could easily be a reflection.
Possibly just a publicity stunt - the tours seem to be doing quite well at the moment.

maccored · 28-08-2014 9:15pm

pity there isnt a larger picture as it looks like reflection to me. are we that desperate in this country to see ghosts?

Oryx · 28-08-2014 9:16pm

Its a reflection. There's the reflection of another person's head below the girl and you can see the top of their actual head just at the edge of the frame.

They'd make a story out of anything.

gouche · 28-08-2014 9:19pm

Seems to be getting a lot of traction on 'news' sites.
You'd know it was silly season anyway.

Can't see how anyone would think it's anything other than a reflection tbh.

maccored · 28-08-2014 9:38pm

this one is even scarier

byhookorbycrook · 28-08-2014 9:42pm

It must cost a fortune to do all the work that needs doing, so I don't begrudge the owners the odd photo on social media!

29-08-2014 12:09am

gouche wrote: »

Possibly just a publicity stunt - the tours seem to be doing quite well at the moment.

Nail / Head , you hit it.

maccored · 29-08-2014 3:03pm

has anyone noticed that the Loftus Hall wiki has changed from saying:

"Loftus Hall was built by the 4th Marquis of Ely in 1870-1871 on the ruins of Redmond Hall, which had existed since 1350. Redmond Hallbecame the property of the Loftus family in 1666, and afterwards the old mansion became known as Loftus Hall."

to:

"The building that exists today was not built between 1870 and 1871 as many people believe. The Hall was in fact renovated extentively before a visit by Queen Victoria."

Jaysus, talk about hood winking.

loftus hall

Comments