Famine, death and fairy tree tales

Famine, death and fairy tree tales

1 October 2014

THE ghostly goings-on of Downpatrick’s former workhouse, murderous tales of organ theft and the apparition of a child in a Tyrella cottage are some of the tales included in a new book that will be launched this weekend.

Tales from the wider Downpatrick area dominate Irish Ghost Stories and Mysteries from County Down, which will be launched on October 4.

Society treasurer Pauline McCrory said the book had been compiled following extensive research, including pieces taken from Down Recorder archives.

Several of the stories are centred on the former Downpatrick workhouse, which was built in 1842 and housed many who died as a result of the famine.

Hundreds of unknown paupers were buried in a field situated behind the workhouse and although it has now been demolished, it was used as a leather factory after the Second World War.

Former factory workers often reported chilling experiences including apparitions of a small old man wearing a flat cap who disappeared out of a window to the terror of one worker and the image of a little girl dressed in Victorian clothes who appeared to be waiting to cross the road before disappearing.

Night shift workers also reported believing they were being burgled because doors were opening and closing. Despite searches, they did not find any intruders and believed the noises were caused by workhouse ghosts.

Irish Ghost Stories and Mysteries from County Down includes the story of a family evacuated to an old cottage in Tyrella during World War Two.

One of the family’s teenagers, who stayed on in the house for the summer with older siblings after their parents returned home, reported the apparition of somebody watching him from the corner of his bedroom.

He was not particularly frightened by this apparition but was very curious about it and later discovered that the figure was that of a young girl who had drowned on a Sunday School excursion to the beach several years previously.

Her body had been left in the same cottage overnight before being removed.

One of the other stories came from Downpatrick in the early 19th century and is about a young man called George who was asked to dine with his new wealthy employers.

George had asked his son, who was a trainee doctor, to get some liver at the butcher’s shop to bring with him to the meal.

The story tells of the son’s anxiety when he missed the butcher’s opening hours, and instead goes to the local graveyard where a relative has been buried to retrieve his liver.

The story end with a gruesome discovery by George’s family.

Pauline McCrory, treasurer of Annaclone Historical Society, which compiled the book, said this was the second publication by the society and would be launched due to the success of the first edition, which sold 600 copies.

“We decided to gather some more ghost stories, mysteries and strange tales,” she said.

“We did quite a bit of research through newspapers and books, we also have first hand reports and stories spread by word of mouth.

“There were quite a few fairy tree stories from the Maghera and Newcastle area and one from Annacloy.

“It has taken us more than a year to put this together. This edition includes a chapter on banshee death warnings, haunted buildings and haunted places.”

Everyone is invited to the launch of Irish Ghost Stories and Mysteries from County Down by Annaclone Historical Society on Saturday at 7.30pm at Drumballyroney Old Church in Annaclone when guests can chat to fellow historians, listen to music and enjoy a light buffet.

For further information about the launch check check the facebook page of Annaclone Historical Society or telephone Kieran on 028 4063 1378.