Research on Ghosts in Kildare

Major Lovechild

I am currently conducting an investigation into alleged hauntings around Ireland would appreciate any info on Co Kildare. If you have any recommendations of places or buildings that would be open to research and investigation please let me know. A quick look through Google rules out the most famous Kildare cases so I'm looking for a little more off the beaten track.
PM if you wish. Discretion assured.

Thanks in advance

The Major

Major Lovechild

bump.

BuffyBot

Please don't bump threads - if someone has something to add, I'm sure they will

Major Lovechild

OK.

prusselstown

Check out Kilkea Castle. It is located between Athy and Castledermot, there are a few stories of headless horsemen. Another one worth checking out is Whites Castle in the centre of Athy. It is owned by Dooley Auctioneers in Athy and contact them for further details.

Hope this is of some help to you

Major Lovechild

Thanks a million. Will look into it.

Clare Bear

The Ghost Room in NUI Maynooth is a pretty famous one at this stage.

Links: http://www.spellfyre.com/html/stories/storydisplay.php?storyid=11

http://www.maynooth.org/?p=919

Joe Public

I had a ghost of a pigeon visit me two weeks ago

Tilt Gone

Aren't they doing something like this in the old castle on the main street in Athy this week??

Major Lovechild

Joe Public wrote: »

I had a ghost of a pigeon visit me two weeks ago

No. That's probably where you tried to clean your window with your underpants.

Vim Fuego

Have a few stories, they may or may not be of use to you.

My Aunt's family were living in a recently-built estate just outside Kildare Town, jut over the railway bridge heading toward the Cill Dara golf club, don't know the name of the estate, it was built a few years after I had moved out of Kildare.

But anyway, they ended up selling the house and moving again within a year. They heard the stereotypical footsteps-up-the-stairs, banging doors and so on. Neighbours had similar experiences as well. They're not people prone to random hysteria either, they were pretty spooked about it.

I've heard some stories about the R.A.C.E centre as well. There's a house which is now the offices/admin building but at one stage, my Gran and Granddad lived there, think he was a caretaker of sorts at the time.

Anyway, my Gran has experienced hearing the heavy, locked front-door open up, thinking it was her husband, to find the door wide open and no-one around. My great-grandmother wouldn't go in the house on her own, she said something like 'I'm safer out here than I am in there'. This would have been around 1949/1950. I doubt you'll get anyone from R.A.C.E to talk to you about this, I've never heard any other reference to it being haunted outside my own family.

My own family home is in an old stable yard. We have never experienced a thing in it but any time extended family have stayed in it and been creeped out. I think it's jut because it's an old house and has all the bumps and noises that I would be completely oblivious to having lived there my whole life.

Weird story when my parents bought it, it had been in another family for generations. The house was falling into disrepair and the remaining family member slept in a little room under the stairs, on a camper bed with his shotgun next to him (no idea why). The upstairs bedrooms were filled with junk like empty food cans etc. When the sale went through, he said something like 'I'm sure the "Murphy" spirits will be glad to have you here'.

The only other event with the stable on the Curragh is to do with the lads coming back from the races really late at night. In those days, if you sent a horse to the races, you were normally paying the guy with the horse box who would drop horses back to different stables around the area. One night, they're coming back from Tralee or somewhere, they drop a horse into the yard around midnight and the head lad is just packing things up. Maybe a minute or two after the horsebox drives away, he sees someone running after it out of our yard, like someone got left behind. He calls them up to tell them that they forgot someone but no, everyone is accounted for so we have no idea who was running out of the place.

I remember another friend telling me a story of a soldier on 'watch' (I know nothing about the army, actual military terms are beyond me) in the Curragh Camp (a guy I had gone to school with) who was very spooked about something which prompted him to load his weapon. Now, again I know nothing about the army, but my friend said that this was just so out of the usual protocol, it was considered an extreme action for him to load his gun. He apparently had seen some sort of dark figure coming towards him which had prompted his actions. I'm hazy on the actual details but I'm sure I could find out the actual location from my friend and so on.

I'm not sure if any of this is in any way useful, I just saw your thread and my mind immediately jumped to these stories. I would love to hear more of this sort of thing from around Kildare Town in particular.

Gregsor

I love all this paranormal activity,keep us updated;)

Not

Vim Fuego wrote: »

But anyway, they ended up selling the house and moving again within a year. They heard the stereotypical footsteps-up-the-stairs, banging doors and so on. Neighbours had similar experiences as well. They're not people prone to random hysteria either, they were pretty spooked about it.

If the two houses were attached then it was probably down to poor sound insulation from the party wall, or possibly even a cracked party wall. That can transmit sounds from one house into the neighbouring house such that it would seem to the neighbours that the sounds were generated in their own house. Believe me, for a while after I bought my house, everytime the neighbour went up or down his stairs I was frantically searching for an intruder in my house. Same with doors closing in the neighbouring house. And phones ringing. And people knocking on the front doors, could never tell whose door they were knocking on. Even the sound of water running in the pipes from the neighbours house was coming through like it was originating in my house (which it definitely wasn't as I had the water turned off at that time). Old houses built from mass concrete are particularily prone to this.

slumped

There's a story that goes around in Prosperous about a man (ghost) that people have seen over the last 50 or so years.

Prosperous was central to the 1798 rising - I think it has something to do with that.

Anywho, the story goes that this man, who is nameless (but locals have nicknamed Limping Liam), was killed in action during the rising and his corpse was brought back to Prosperous on horse drawn carriage.

Apparently, the story goes, that the corpse fell off the carraige on the main street of Prosperous (around where the church is) and "Liam" magically got up and limped on up to the crossroads where he collapsed after limping the 50 yards or so.

He died there.

People claim to have seen a man limping around the church/main st area on and off for the past number of years - and apparently this has been doing the rounds for years.

I've also heard stories about a ghost in the old building up at Donadea Forest Park, but nothing as detailed as the Prosperous story.

Major Lovechild

Thank you so much guys. If anyone wishes to pm me with their real name I will be more than happy to thank you in any published material that may come up. Please keep them coming.

Thanks again

The Major

Joe Public

Major Lovechild wrote: »

No. That's probably where you tried to clean your window with your underpants.

A pigeon actually crashed into the window in full flight and this was the mark left behind. The poor pigeon died and will probably come back to haunt the place.

djimi

Ive heard quite a few stories that the Rathasker area of Naas is quite haunted. Something about it being built on the sight of an old workhouse or Cromwell mass grave.

paranormal

i see whites castle athy is having an open investigation on Halloween night Keith and Angie Freeland are doing it.might be one for you to look at or not.never heard of anything going on in there before but you never know i suppose.
http://www.kildare-nationalist.ie/tabId/201/itemId/5549/Ghost-hunting-in-Athy.aspx

fonda

Used to hear stories about Conolly's Folly between Leixlip and Maynooth about the devil appearing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conolly%27s_Folly

Major Lovechild

paranormal wrote: »

i see whites castle athy is having an open investigation on Halloween night Keith and Angie Freeland are doing it.might be one for you to look at or not.never heard of anything going on in there before but you never know i suppose.
http://www.kildare-nationalist.ie/tabId/201/itemId/5549/Ghost-hunting-in-Athy.aspx

Thanks Paranormal,
True. I'm from Kildare and only just heard of alleged hauntings in White's Castle. Never a peep before. I'll wait until the Freelands have left as I am only into serious research and not the pantomime nonsense that they provide.

Thanks again. Keep 'em coming guys!

Major Lovechild

Joe Public wrote: »

A pigeon actually crashed into the window in full flight and this was the mark left behind. The poor pigeon died and will probably come back to haunt the place.

Maybe the pigeon though you were Nikola Tesla.

Major Lovechild

fonda wrote: »

Used to hear stories about Conolly's Folly between Leixlip and Maynooth about the devil appearing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conolly%27s_Folly

Hi Fonda. Had a look at the Folly. Very impressive. Can you tell me more about what you heard please?

fonda

Major Lovechild wrote: »

Hi Fonda. Had a look at the Folly. Very impressive. Can you tell me more about what you heard please?

Was quite young when I used to hear it but it was that if you walked backwards around it 12 times the devil would appear! And there was also supposed to be sightings of the devils hoofs under the arches! Don't know where these stories came from but definitely heard it more than once as a kid.

I grew up just down the road from it and it was quite an eerie place, it's been renovated at the moment but it used to be quite run down and the fact there is a grave under it made it all the more spooky to me when we were younger.



Just typing that made me think of another place further down the road called Kilmacredock Stud where people driving by it at night noticed strange goings on in their cars with lights coming on and off and car radios coming on and off and changing stations. One neighbor I remember was convinced she felt a presence in her car. These stories seemed a lot more believable than the devil stories above. There is an old run down church on the stud grounds that supposedly was an old burial ground.

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=18+Rinawade+Grove,+Leixlip,+County+Kildare,+Ireland&ll=53.365035,-6.537423&spn=0.007823,0.027466&z=16&layer=c&cbll=53.365037,-6.533325&panoid=-UECd5j8YMTE2_TF-LoI7g&cbp=12,222.23,,0,4.42



Moved away from there quite a few years ago so dont know if the stories still go on up there. It used to be a much more rural community but Leixlip is right up on top of it now!

Major Lovechild

Thanks a million Fonda. This is definitely worth checking out. I will keep you posted on anything I find out.

To all the posters on this thread - a big thank you. If you hear of anything else in Kildare or have more details on your original posts please throw it on here.

Best

The Major.

Major Lovechild

Thank you Sandra. Will be in touch.

gflood

There are no such things as ghosts period. For hundreds of years they are reported but never captured correctly either on film or otherwise. Its all about human brain activity. If enough people believe a statue is moving and you walk into the same vicinity then your brain will also make you think its moving. Its a kind of groupthink.

pixi11

I lived in an apartment in Kildare Town. It is where the old mondello blew up years ago and killed the owner. It was haunted. my god lots of us witnessed some freaky things. Pressure on our chest at night. Doors left open, lights coming on things being moved etc. It was so scarey and horrible.

gflood

Well if I saw an apparation I would certainly go for the fecker. Throw something at it and try to punch and grab it. I'd want to know what the thing is made of.

Seth Brundle

gflood wrote: »

There are no such things as ghosts period. For hundreds of years they are reported but never captured correctly either on film or otherwise. Its all about human brain activity. If enough people believe a statue is moving and you walk into the same vicinity then your brain will also make you think its moving. Its a kind of groupthink.

If you were to sit down fior half an hour and listen to some of the stuff my mother has encountered then you would change your mind (its mostly longford based and so of no use to the OP).

BuffyBot

Folks, if you want to discuss the existance (or non existance) of ghosts, etc then take it to the Paranormal forum

Speedsie

fonda wrote: »

Used to hear stories about Conolly's Folly between Leixlip and Maynooth about the devil appearing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conolly%27s_Folly

Never heard about the Devil actually appearing at Connolly's Folly, just the myth that you could summon him.

However, the devil was supposed to have been entertained by Tom Connolly in Castletown House.

Speeds

Seth Brundle

William Connolly who built the folly was involved with the Hellfire Club
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montpelier_Hill

Speedsie

kbannon wrote: »

William Connolly who built the folly was involved with the Hellfire Club
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montpelier_Hill

William Connolly (Speaker Connolly) built the building that is called the Hell Fire Club, but as far as I know the club only started after his death. His Great-Nephew Tom Connolly who inherited all of Speaker Connolly's estates, was involved in the Hell Fire Club.

BTW, William Connolly is believed to have been the wealthiest Irishman ever, if you pro rata'd his wealth from the early 1700s to today he would out-wealth anyone today.

Major Lovechild

Does anyone have any information relating to and alleged excorsism in Naas in the last century?

leddpipe

OP I grew up in Brownstown and living in Kildare at the moment.have heard hundreds of stories.because its all anecdotal im not sure if its of much use!The Curragh and Curragh camp would appear to be teaming with ghosts an earlier poster mentioned the soldier who was in duty in the magazine on the camp,where they store ammunition and weapons.i know him well.he did believe he saw a figure approaching the tower he was stationed at,which is about 20 foot above the ground.from a different source, I heard that the figure was able to rattler the handle of the door from the outside,despite the fact that the outside handle is removed and kept on the soldier for security reasons.he did in fact cock his weapon,and put a round in the chamber,which I suppose is serious enough in army terms.

whats interesting, is that my grandfather told me of an incident that happened at the same spot in the 60's,when he was stationed at the curragh.a man based in said tower,was out approaching the perimeter of the fence.he apparently heard waves and waves of shouting,screaming,clashing, neighing etc!he emtied a full magazine into the darkness in panic.that spot is in the very middle of the gibbet rath, an area where there was a massacre if irish rebels, I think in the late 1700's.you can look up the history online,but whats interesting is the stories that come from the spot.i recall hearing many similar stories of the sounds of battle coming from the area.back in the 80's,my uncle was travelling home to brownstown from kildare town. he reported hearing these same sounds coming from the area.he also mentioned how it seemed to come in waves.prayers have been said at the monument here in recent times, and I personally havnt heard anything since.

another area in the camp where I heard stories from was the fire station.my grandfather again told me of this, a military policeman who was on duty in the night in question told him.they got the story from the injured man after while he recovered in hospital.another man had been working on one of the engines in the lobby of the station.he heard the side door open, and footsteps walk around the engine and start up the stairs.he looked but saw no one, and assumed he had just missed them.some moments later,he heard a scream and the above mentioned injured man came over the banisters and landed on the ground.he later reported feeling a pushing sensation, and coldness , and was then forced over the banisters.other stories are a bit more vague and i cant remember the details.they relate to the golfclub,hospital,Transport yard beside centra, and a house on the terrace beside the grenade range.ill try remember more

Nhead

leddpipe wrote: »

OP I grew up in Brownstown and living in Kildare at the moment.have heard hundreds of stories.because its all anecdotal im not sure if its of much use!The Curragh and Curragh camp would appear to be teaming with ghosts an earlier poster mentioned the soldier who was in duty in the magazine on the camp,where they store ammunition and weapons.i know him well.he did believe he saw a figure approaching the tower he was stationed at,which is about 20 foot above the ground.from a different source, I heard that the figure was able to rattler the handle of the door from the outside,despite the fact that the outside handle is removed and kept on the soldier for security reasons.he did in fact cock his weapon,and put a round in the chamber,which I suppose is serious enough in army terms.

whats interesting, is that my grandfather told me of an incident that happened at the same spot in the 60's,when he was stationed at the curragh.a man based in said tower,was out approaching the perimeter of the fence.he apparently heard waves and waves of shouting,screaming,clashing, neighing etc!he emtied a full magazine into the darkness in panic.that spot is in the very middle of the gibbet rath, an area where there was a massacre if irish rebels, I think in the late 1700's.you can look up the history online,but whats interesting is the stories that come from the spot.i recall hearing many similar stories of the sounds of battle coming from the area.back in the 80's,my uncle was travelling home to brownstown from kildare town. he reported hearing these same sounds coming from the area.he also mentioned how it seemed to come in waves.prayers have been said at the monument here in recent times, and I personally havnt heard anything since.

another area in the camp where I heard stories from was the fire station.my grandfather again told me of this, a military policeman who was on duty in the night in question told him.they got the story from the injured man after while he recovered in hospital.another man had been working on one of the engines in the lobby of the station.he heard the side door open, and footsteps walk around the engine and start up the stairs.he looked but saw no one, and assumed he had just missed them.some moments later,he heard a scream and the above mentioned injured man came over the banisters and landed on the ground.he later reported feeling a pushing sensation, and coldness , and was then forced over the banisters.other stories are a bit more vague and i cant remember the details.they relate to the golfclub,hospital,Transport yard beside centra, and a house on the terrace beside the grenade range.ill try remember more

Ah the story about the magazine has got around the Curragh, I know the guy too and he ain't a spoofer!!! I knew a family on the Curragh and they were haunted by a ghost of a British Army man-they used to see him quite often.

leddpipe

Nhead wrote: »

Ah the story about the magazine has got around the Curragh, I know the guy too and he ain't a spoofer!!! I knew a family on the Curragh and they were haunted by a ghost of a British Army man-they used to see him quite often.

where was that Nhead?not exact address
just general area! <no pun intended>

Nhead

leddpipe wrote: »

where was that Nhead?not exact address
just general area! <no pun intended>

Straight across from the old swimming pool:)

flutterflye

djimi wrote: »

Ive heard quite a few stories that the Rathasker area of Naas is quite haunted. Something about it being built on the sight of an old workhouse or Cromwell mass grave.

I know this was posted ages ago.
But I live near Rathasker, and now I'm scared!
Anyone know anything more about this mass grave?

leddpipe

flutterflye wrote: »

I know this was posted ages ago.
But I live near Rathasker, and now I'm scared!
Anyone know anything more about this mass grave?

why would you be scared?its such a struggle for paranormal enthusiasts to find evidence of hauntings etc, I doubt anything will happen!if it does,let me know!:cool:

Major Lovechild

Thank so much for that info guys. PMs sent.

flutterflye

leddpipe wrote: »

why would you be scared?its such a struggle for paranormal enthusiasts to find evidence of hauntings etc, I doubt anything will happen!if it does,let me know!:cool:

Just weird things at night here since we moved in.

I don't believe in ghosts and such usually.

That said, when you're all alone in the middle of the night, and coldness and noise follows you about, logic isn't enough!

Major Lovechild

If you'd like to elaborate you can PM me if you wish.

boxerly

Castletown house in Celbridge? Cant remember the whole story but there was a card game etc and hooves were seen under the table?Im sure someone else can give better details xx



http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/history-heritage/folklore-of-ireland/folklore-folk-tales-and-c/ghosts-and-spirits/tom-connolly-and-the-devi/

maccored

is this research still on-going?

daheff

boxerly wrote: »

Castletown house in Celbridge? Cant remember the whole story but there was a card game etc and hooves were seen under the table?Im sure someone else can give better details xx



http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/history-heritage/folklore-of-ireland/folklore-folk-tales-and-c/ghosts-and-spirits/tom-connolly-and-the-devi/

i thought it was something that the devils hoof cracked the fireplace??

paul71

daheff wrote: »

i thought it was something that the devils hoof cracked the fireplace??

I remember fragments of this story, suposedly a traveller called to Castletown house one night during a storm asked for shelter. He ended up in a card game with whichever Connolly was head of the family at the time and several other guests, someone noticed he had cloven hooves cried out and the devil disappeared into the fireplace where there is still a crack.

Most likely it was an excuse invented to explain damage caused by a drunken party!

Antikythera

maccored wrote: »

is this research still on-going?

Who ya gonna call?...

GHOSTBUSTERS!

Major Lovechild

The research is still going on.

maccored

Antikythera wrote: »

Who ya gonna call?...

GHOSTBUSTERS!

After a google, I'd say http://www.facebook.com/pages/Haunted-Kildare/213971578643369 .

maccored

Reading the Haunted Kildare facebook page, its terrible to see they didnt get enough local support and interest to write the book. They got no stories. Haunted Kilkenny is being published instead.

Surely that cant be right? Surely Kildare people give a toss enough to get a book published nationally on local ghost stories?

Say it aint so Kildare people .....