The Paranormal Database

An old photograph of the lakes at Killarney.

Pale Eel-Thing

Location: Killarney - Upper Lake
Type: Cryptozoology
Date / Time: 16 September 2009
Further Comments: Cryptozoologist Jonathan Downes and his wife spotted a nine-foot (2.74 metre) long, pale eel-like creature swimming in these waters. One piece of folklore says the fairy queen of Kerry created the lake to punish a former lover.

Bess Stokes

Location: Killorglin - Ard na Sidhe Country House
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Pre-1934
Further Comments: Bess Stokes was said to take the form of an older lady in grey, and haunt the gate close to the cottage that she had built.

Prophet

Location: Killorglin - Manor Inn Hotel
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Circa 2011
Further Comments: While one newspaper reported the site was haunted by a prophet, it is unclear where this story originated. One paranormal group recorded a heavy door opening unaided.

Enchanted Island

Location: Lisneakeabree - Off coast
Type: Environmental Manifestation
Date / Time: Late nineteenth or early twentieth century?
Further Comments: Shortly before an enchanted island appeared to the population of Ballyheige, it made a brief manifestation off the coast of Lisneakeabree.

Chair Thrower

Location: Listowel - Glanuna Foka, house along Convent Street
Type: Poltergeist
Date / Time: Late nineteenth century
Further Comments: During one poltergeist outbreak, chairs and other furniture were thrown through the windows. Locals were quickly on the scene but could not find anyone in the house.

Pig-like Creature

Location: Lough Brin - Water near Moll's Gap
Type: Cryptozoology
Date / Time: 1954 and 1979
Further Comments: This area was visited in 2004 by a Japanese TV crew looking for the monster said to live here. The entity has a similar appearance to a black pig but blows water from its back like a whale. It was spotted in 1954 by a farmer taking his cattle for milking, while in 1979 two more farmers spotted a black three metre long creature swimming in the waters.

Peist

Location: Lough Leane - Waters of the lough
Type: Cryptozoology
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: This lough is said to be home to a lake monster.

White Dogs

Location: Meenogahane - Area once known as Laghtnegunbane
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: An area around here was known as 'grave of the white dogs' and thought to be haunted by the creatures.

Fairy Forts

Location: N22 - Dip in road close to Kerry Way, Curraglass
Type: Fairy
Date / Time: 2017
Further Comments: A member of parliament made headlines after he declared a dip in the road, which had cost forty thousand Euros to repair, had been caused by fairies who lived in forts which the road navigated around.

Skellig Michael, copyright R Mossman.

Stomping Boots

Location: Skellig Michael - Lighthouse and general area
Type: Poltergeist
Date / Time: 1928?
Further Comments: The lighthouse was haunted by cries, bangs, doors which slammed, and the sound of footsteps which crossed the floor as the keepers sat down to eat. The haunting drove two of the keepers away (or drove them insane, depending on the source).

Washed up

Location: Smerwick - Beach
Type: Cryptozoology
Date / Time: 18 November 1839
Further Comments: Following a storm, a sea creature (curiously described as a sea orangutan) washed up on the beach. From head to toe, the creature measured 4.14 metres, and when stretched, the creature's arms spanned 3.4 metres. A newspaper said the creature to be 'a frightful looking devil'.

Headless Man

Location: Sneem - Blackwater bridge, between village and Kenmare
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: This bridge was the traditional haunt of a headless male figure. One legend says that the headless phantom was attacked by another ghost, although the outcome of the fight is not known.

Former Judge

Location: Tarbert - Tarbert Bridewell Courthouse and Jail Museum
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 2000s
Further Comments: Prisoners housed at this jail would be subjected to heinous conditions, and are perhaps responsible for the feelings of dread felt here at night. A former judge who condemned many of those prisoners is also thought to remain.

Hilda

Location: Tralee - Ballyseede Castle
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 24 March (reoccurring)
Further Comments: Affectionately named Hilda, this phantom former landlord is reputed to appear on an annual basis.

Millicent Agnes Yielding

Location: Tralee - Blennerville Windmill
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 2009
Further Comments: The Ghost Eire team investigated this site reputedly haunted by Millicent Yielding, killed by a sail and who now stands looking from a window (or possibly not, as sometimes folklore says she is headless). The press reported the team may have made contact with a young woman.

Faces

Location: Tralee - Flat at Ballymullen
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: March 2001
Further Comments: A priest was called in to bless this flat after residents heard sounds from the fireplace and spotted human faces in the walls.

Footsteps

Location: Tralee - Osborne public house (no longer operating)
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: Despite two previous exorcisms, The Osborne remained haunted by footsteps running up the staircase and the sounds of things being thrown around.

View from Valentia Island, copyright C Mossman.

Mug Ruith

Location: Valentia Island - General area
Type: Legend
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: Mug Ruith, also known as Mogh Roith, made his home on this island. According to legend, the blind druid of Munster flew a machine known as an 'oared wheel' and drove a chariot that could blind and deafen people.