Month: May 2016

Haunted Loftus Hall Celebrates 666 Years

Haunted Loftus Hall Celebrates 666 Years

Or, Learn More About Ireland’s Most Hunted House

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Ireland’s Most Haunted House Celebrates 666 Years

Written by IrishCentral in March 2016

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Loftus Hall

Isolated on the Hook Peninsula in Wexford, the once stately Loftus Hall is said to have been haunted by the devil and by the ghost of a young woman. This year the house is celebrating its 666th birthday with a series of spooky events.

The mansion, with a history of ghostly occurrences and misery, opened its doors to the public for the first time in 30 years in 2012. Would you be brave enough to take the tour?

In August 2014 a tourist snapped a shot of a ghostly female figure in the grounds. Thomas Beavis, 21, from Lewisham, snapped this shot while he was on the the tour.

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Is that a ghost in the window?

It wasn’t until he’d left the Loftus Hall grounds that he noticed the figure – who is believed to be the spirit of little Anne Tottenham – and the face of an old lady at the window.

Loftus Hall is a 22-bedroom period mansion on Hook Peninsula in County Wexford. The house is set on 60 acres, overlooking a lonely stretch of the southeast coast. Since it was abandoned over three decades ago, the grand building has only had structural repairs.

Owner Aidan Quigley now hosts guided interactive tours, which he says are not for the fainthearted.

Built over the remains of Redmond Hall, and home of the Redmond family since around 1350, in 1666 it became the home of the Loftus family and was renamed Loftus Hall.

The ghostly tours are based on the story of Anne Tottenham and a visitor to the house in the 18th century whose body, during a game of cards, went ‘through the roof’, leaving a hole in the ceiling which is visible to this day, and left young Anne in a state of terror.

She was put into a room known as the Tapestry Room to rest, and it is here that she stayed completely silent until her death in 1775. The Loftus family abandoned the house in the early years of the 20th century.

Over the years since, servants claimed to have seen a dark, mysterious figure roaming the halls, causing disturbances.

On March 1 Quigley unveiled a new program of events for Loftus Hall’s 666th anniversary year, including an incremental restorative walled garden project launch, the opening of a new interactive visitors center and the Raymond Le Gros Norman Festival.

Quigley and his family purchased the Hall in 2011 and have been working on reviving and consolidating it as a unique tourist destination ever since.

“We didn’t have a blank canvas, as such, to work with when we purchased Loftus Hall, as it came with over 600 years of history, intrigue and some rather unexplained spectral phenomenon. However, we were determined to make the Hall’s 666th year rather special with a broad appeal to people of all ages and interests,” Quigley said.

Whilst Loftus Hall has provided hugely successful house tours and paranormal investigation lockdowns, particularly popular at Halloween, Aidan and his team are determined to showcase the other elements of the hall.

“The gardens and grounds of the hall are hugely significant. In the 17th century Henry Loftus took great care in enclosing the gardens to preserve newly planted fruit trees with high stone walls,” said Quigley. “We plan to progressively restore the five-acre garden in the spirit of the period and aim to plant trees, flowers and shrubs that would have been available to Henry Loftus in the 17th century. Fortunately, the walls are in a reasonable state of repair and some of the original garden ornaments remain on the property.”

Quigley also revealed the plans for the new visitor center which will open to the public on June 6. The new center will give visitors the opportunity to discover more about the fascinating heritage of Loftus Hall. A historical timeline will chart key moments in the hall’s history, such as the invasion by Norman knight Raymond Le Gros, the Redmonds’ Cromwellian battle, and the 4th Marquess of Ely’s extensive renovations in anticipation of a visit by Queen Victoria.

Quigley, who is currently in his final year of a Conservation and Restoration Diploma, is focused on broadening the historical appeal of the area and is working closely with Wexford County Council, The Three Sisters Bid Team and Failte Ireland’s Ireland’s Ancient East initiative to showcase the culture and appeal of Wexford.

“Wexford has a rich and varied offering, it’s coastal and rugged, lush and beautiful, historical and contemporary. By working together with local authorities, tourism providers and neighboring counties, Wexford and the southeast has the potential to become the go-to tourist destination for national and overseas visitors.”

“If we, collectively, can offer an experience that is unique, exciting, fresh and appealing, the region is destined to flourish.”

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Want Exclusive Book Loot?

Want Exclusive Book Loot?

Or, My Conference SWAG Arrived And I Want To Share!

I’m so excited to attend both Comic-Con and Romance Writer’s of America’s national conference (I can’t stop smiling!), I ordered new promotional goodies. If you’d like to receive the pictured loot, send me an email at [email protected] or leave a comment on my blog and I’ll ship a personalized care package to the first 10 responders. Good luck!

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My goody bag includes two postcards, an adorable purple pen, and a Spell of Joy temporary tattoo.
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Ghost Caught On Camera

Ghost Caught On Camera

Or, Footage Shows Ghostly Shape Over Haunted Organ

Click here to see the original article or scroll down to read the whole story.

Spooky footage shows ‘ghost-like’ object floating above organ in ‘haunted’ ancient cathedral

Written by Ruth Halkon in March 2016

Ghoul-at-Lincoln-Cathedral 1

[The Lincoln Cathedral] is said to be haunted by the ghosts of plague victims, a spooky cleric and a chaotic imp that caused havoc until it was turned to stone.

And now a daytripper may have captured one of those strange apparitions in the flesh.

Paul Jackson took the bizarre footage while visiting the ancient Gothic building with his son on February 6.

The 46-year-old IT engineer caught what appears to be a sprightly spirit passing across the width of the Willis Organ while on a roof tour.

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He explained: “We didn’t spot anything strange at the time but when I was reviewing the footage I noticed this orb and thought, ‘What on earth is that?’ I didn’t know what it was.”

Paul shared the mysterious video on his his YouTube channel ArcturanMegadonkey where it has been viewed 14,215 times.

Several users commented on the spooky clip, offering their ideas for what the ghostly shadow could be.

Dean Edelsten suggested it was a ghoul that “guards the church grounds for night hawkers” while David Hopper wrote: “Wow very spooky.”

Others were more sceptical of the sighting, with some claiming it was a reflection, a pigeon or even a hoax.

One quipped: “Its a crisp packet. walkers would be my guess. cheese and onion late 2015.”

Paul told the Lincolnshire Echo he himself was not convinced it was a ghost, but said it was certainly a bit of a laugh.

He said: “I personally think the best explanation is that it’s a high powered torch from the tour group below the organ.

“I love the cathedral – it’s a stunning building so I hope the video will encourage more people to go on cathedral tours and see it for themselves.”

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Flirty Friday (Captain America)

Flirty Friday (Captain America)

Or, I’m Sharing My Favorite Montages With You!

Because of the release of Captain America: Civil War this month, I’m dedicating May to one of my favorite ships–Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes, AKA Stucky. Enjoy!

Video created by aceiel

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<3 Anna

World’s Most Haunted Jail

World’s Most Haunted Jail

Or, Step Inside The Essex County Jail–If You Dare

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World’s Most Haunted Jail

Written by Jack Williams in March 2016

haunted jail 1

With its long history of haunting and a ghost that is not afraid to go bump in the night, it’s a wonder anyone would want to spend time in this former jail.

But that’s exactly what an abandoned location photographer has done, spending time in this haunted facility capturing a series of spooky images.

Will Ellis visited the creepy cell block, which still contained the remains of furniture and messages in graffiti.

The Essex County Jail , in New Jersey, USA, opened its doors in 1837, and contained a total of 300 cells.

It is a hot bed of paranormal activity with many reports of cold spots, shadowy figures and disembodied footsteps.

And according to Ghost Eyes blog while it was closed down for public use years ago – there’s still a few remnants left over from the past.

It says: “A former security guard tells the story of an “Old Man Brown” who still watches over the cell blocks.

“It is believed that this is the spirit of a former warden. There are many places where people get the feeling that they are not alone in small spaces, or that they are being watched, and these instances are usually attributed to the ghost of Old Man Brown.

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“Perhaps concurrent with this haunting, people can often hear phantom footsteps close to the old warden’s quarters, which was always patrolled regularly by guards.

“The most flamboyant story about Essex County Penitentiary is the inmate in the Central Hall who managed to commit suicide by lighting himself on fire.

“How the man managed to pull this off is still a mystery, but fire had consumed 90% of his body.

“There is still a charred mark on the concrete outside the cell in the shape of a man in the fetal position, which is typical in burning deaths.

“The spirit that is said to haunt this section of the jail seems to be angry and violent, as this is where abusive EVP’s has been captured and pushes and hair-pulling have occurred.”

The jail was closed in 1970 and has since become a haven for abandoned photographers who document its decaying state.

Photographer Will, 26, said: “The place is completely overgrown, so you really can’t get a good look at the building from the outside, and half of it is in ruins.

“But when you first enter the cell block, it’s breath-taking.”

Essex County was designed by British architect John Haviland – who also designed the renowned Eastern State Penitentiary.

The jail – which was also known as the Newark Street Jail – is the oldest building in the county, and was once used to shoot scenes in the 1991 movie Malcolm X, which starred Denzel Washington.

A fire broke out in the abandoned jail around 10 years later, and today it is a location for squatters and drug dealers.

Will added: “You could immediately tell the place was inhabited, and most of the cells had evidence of squatters – clothing, junk food wrappers and garbage.

“I was inside for several hours and I did run into several men who were living there, for the most part they were friendly and respectful.

“I can understand why a place like this would be more attractive to someone in their situation than living on the streets or the shelter system – here, at least, they have some degree of privacy and freedom, and a space they can call their own.

“For me it’s also about capturing the mood and spirit of the place.

“That mysterious atmosphere is what initially drew me to these buildings, and that’s ultimately what people are responding to.

“Once I draw people in with the visuals, they’ll usually stick around long enough to hear a bit more about the history, which is often just as compelling.

“In a place like this, I want to tell the story of the structure itself, as well as the people who lived within it.”

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<3 Anna

Flirty Friday (Captain America)

Flirty Friday (Captain America)

Or, I’m Sharing My Favorite Montages With You!

Because of the release of Captain America: Civil War this month, I’m dedicating May to one of my favorite ships–Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes, AKA Stucky. This video isn’t so much about them making eyes at each other as it is about them punching each other in the eyes, but still good. Enjoy!

Video created by Kate Rogers

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<3 Anna

My Twilight Trip to Forks, WA!

My Twilight Trip to Forks, WA!

Or, I Walked In The Footsteps Of Vampires (Or So They Say)

Last summer, I was in Washington and visited Forks. It was so much fun! I’ve been a fan of vampires for a long time, and I couldn’t wait to visit the setting for Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series.

First, it’s very long drive from Seattle through some of the most beautiful, green forests I’ve ever seen.

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The coast outside Forks, WA. Near the beaches Bella and Jacob strolled in the books.

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Our first stop was the city’s visitor’s center (well worth the visit!).

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Bella’s truck!

From there, we used the city’s handy map and found the Swan House.

swan house
Bella’s windows are on the 2nd floor.

Our third stop was Dr. Cullen’s office at the local hospital.

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Lunch break!

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Finally, my favorite spot–the Cullen residence complete with a note from Esme! I was in fan heaven. 🙂

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The Cullen House is a bed and breakfast.
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Esme’s letter to friends and fans.

If you’re a fan of vampires, too, I highly recommend a trip to Forks. It’s a bit out of the way, but it’s like walking through the books. It’s well worth the drive. And the town, which saw a huge tourism uptick during the height of Twilight hysteria, could use a boost now that most people have moved on to new fandoms.

I had so much fun!

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<3 Anna

Top 4 Most Haunted Dehli Sites

Top 4 Most Haunted Dehli Sites

Or, Only Visit These Places During The Day

Click here to see the original article or scroll down to read the whole story.

Don’t Try After Sunset: The Most Haunted Places in Dehli

Written by Arjun Pandey in Feb. 2016

Delhi, the capital city of India, has more than 1300 monuments. Some of them have deep dark secrets. It is also widely believed that many of them are haunted, harbouring in their shadowy recesses djinns, ghosts, spirits and more. So hold your nerve as we at Delhipedia take you on a tour of the most ghostly corners of the city in our first episode of “Haunted Places in Delhi”.

Agrasen ki Baoli

Agrasen ki Baoli

Built by Maharaja Agrasen during in the mid-14th century, this monument is a 60m-long and 15m-wide classic step-well (baoli). It has 130 steps made of red stone that lead to a water reservoir. The well, though it has now dried out, is said to exert a mesmeric effect that compelled many people to jump to their death. Many swear that the intensity of ‘unnatural vibrations’ increases around you as you go further down near the reservoir. It is also referred to as the ‘Baoli of the Unseen’.

Presently, the rooms considered dangerous are secured with gates. When the baoliwas filled, it contained filthy black water, which fascinated mostly dejected and depressed admirers. The murky, mystic waters apparently exerted a hypnotic pull, compelling those fatally attracted to its dark depths to jump.

Dehli FEROZ-SHAH-KOTLA-FORT
Feroz Shah Kotla Fort

Feroz Shah Kotla Fort

Situated in the heart of the city behind ITO Press Lane and just next to Kotla Cricket Stadium, our [next] stop is Feroz Shah Kotla Fort. As you near the structure — once the headquarters of a dynasty which ruled over north India — the buzz of the city seems to fade into an eerie silence. Built in 1354 by Feroz Shah Tughlaq, it is said to have djinns residing amid its ruins and dark alleys.

Every Thursday, locals can be seen lighting candles and incense sticks in select dark spots, offering bowls of milk and grain to appease the djinns and hoping for their wishes to come true. At times, you can also see mentally disturbed people coming here to find solace. Unlike ghosts, djinns are supposed to be shapeless beings who can marry and also bear children. Distinct from us humans, they are formless and can ‘live’ for many centuries. But like humans and ghosts — and unlike angels– they can be bad and moody. Legend has it that when Iblis, a djinn, refused to bow before Adam, Allah cast him out as the devil. The bad djinns prey on young women, especially if said young women are left unguarded or drying their hair on the roof!

Dehli Jamali-Kamali Masjid
Jamali-Kamali Masjid

Jamali-Kamali Masjid

Notable Sufi saints Jamali and Kamali were buried here in 1535. Today it is believed that this tranquil masjid is haunted by djinns, and many claim to have experienced paranormal activities here. In addition to hearing screaming voices coming out of the graves, on many occasions visitors have complained of being slapped by ‘invisible hands’ or being chased away by ‘mysterious wind’. It is advised not to venture here after sunset, although the screams can apparently be heard even in broad daylight.

According to legend, djinns live in a parallel world to that of humans. It is believed that God created humans out of sand and djinns out of fire. Some djinns are known to be good and others bad. While humans can’t see them, djinns have the power to cross-over between both worlds. Sometimes, djinns step into the human world and decide to stay permanently in abandoned places. This, it is said, is what happened in Jamali Kamali. For so long was the site abandoned that djinns decided it was a safe place to set up house. When annoyed by uninvited human guests, they are not averse to delivering the odd slap.

Dehli Khooni Nadi
Khooni Nadi

Khooni Nadi

Khooni Nadi (Bloody River) in Rohini is believed to be haunted. It is said that the river tries to pull inside whoever enters and many have died. The lives lost here have often been assumed to be suicides but the cases are still mysterious. If you’re ‘lucky’ you may hear crying noises and other spooky sounds near the river.

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