(Between 1660 and 1899, Birr was called Parsonstown).
Singular Occurrence in Parsonstown.
On Sunday evening news reached the constabulary of Parsonstown that the windows of the keeper’s lodge at Parsonstown new cemetery were broken with stones thrown in the noon day. The men under Sub-Inspector Fulton proceeded to the place, and found the news to be too true. While examining the place more stones were thrown and further damage inflicted, but the constabulary failed to discover the cause. It is also reported this morning that the keeper was severely injured by another volley last night.
Freeman’s Journal, 10th October 1876.
The Singular Occurrence in Parsonstown.
Parsonstown, Wednesday. – The singular and mysterious occurrence which took place at the new cemetery near Parsonstown, on Sunday, still continues to cause profound sensation in the locality. On the day above mentioned the Constabulary were informed that the windows in the cemetery lodge kept by a man named Martin Kennedy, were broken in several places by some invisible means, as no person could be seen on the premises at the time of the occurrence. The Parsonstown men, accompanied by the men of Crinkle Police Station, under Sub-Inspector Fulton, proceeded to the scene in order to ascertain the truth of the reported occurrence. After looking over the premises carefully, it was unanimously believed that no human being could be concealed about the place. The men were then placed on guard in and around the house, when to their utter dismay a regular fusilade was kept up during the remainder of the day, until no fewer than twenty-four panes of glass were completely demolished. The report quickly spread through the district, and hundreds of persons are daily visiting the place, and giving various opinions as to the origin of what is now considered a most mysterious affair.
Yesterday the officers of Birr garrison and several of the Town Commissioners visited the place, and, while examining the apertures made by the stones, several panes of glass were smashed in their presence. A large stone struck one of the party in the leg, but fortunately without inflicting any serious damage. Many of the spectators naturally grew terrified, and immediately took flight. Last evening the stone throwing was kept up with unabated vigour, the number of broken panes reaching some three dozen. A large force of Constabulary is placed around the house for the purpose of protecting Kennedy and his family.
The house is situated within the burial ground boundary, and was built about eight years ago. The affair has caused the wildest excitement throughout Parsonstown and neighbourhood, and at present forms the general topic of conversation.
Irish Times, 12th October 1876.
Practical Spiritualism in Parsonstown.
Whether the “fetch” of the persecuted doctor, who, up to a few days ago, held such high revel amongst the spirits of the Saxon metropolis, has paid a flying visit to our neighbourhood, or the shadows of some of those zealous and determined opponents to a certain local measure, have risen up in awful vengeance to visit once more the scenes and objects of their former triumphs and defeats, seems an insolvable riddle, but anyhow the public mind in Parsonstown has been strangely exercised owing to the vagaries of what it asserts positively to be neither more or less than “real live ghosts.”
The incident which has given rise to the discussion of such wild theories in our otherwise staid and sensible little town may be shortly narrated, and as the circumstances partake so strongly of a melodramatic tendency we may be pardoned for clothing the statement in a semblance of theatrical parlance.
The Scene – A lonely cottage standing on the verge of a graveyard, situated about half a mile from Parsonstown.
Time- About one o’clock, p.m. (quite unfavourable for rambling ghosts or peripatetic spirits.)
Dramatis Personae – The cemetery keeper and his family, puzzled police, awe-struck civilians, and the audacious, yet invisible “individuals.”
At the hour named on Sunday last, a report reached the Crinkle police station that several panes of glass in the windows of the Clonoghill Cemetery house had been demolished in a most unaccountable manner. Constable Brophy, the intelligent officer in charge, with Sub-Constable Walker at once proceeded there, and found that several of the panes (which are diamond shape) in the window looking out on the high road had indeed been most scientifically broken. Stones were produced with which it was said the deed was done but strange to say, instead of being of a sulphuric or brimstone nature, which it is only reasonable to suppose would be the weapons used by the “gentlemen down stairs,” they presented all the appearance of having been picked off the gravel paths of the Cemetery.
Much agitated, the Constables laid their heads together to seek for the cause productive of this wonderful effect, but lo! while deeply engaged in their cogitations, bang went one of the diamond panes. With an instinct peculiar to policemen, over the adjoining hedge bolted the two Constables, certain of finding their prey whether natural or otherwise, safely ensconced behind the bushes, but to their utter astonishment the covert was blank.
The Sub. acutely suggested that possibly their quarry was located in some of the surrounding trees, but the Constable expressed the fear that the supernatural vagrant had succeeded in sending them “up a tree.” Sundry and puzzled were their ideas when bang, bang, with the decisive sharpness of a breech-loader went another brace of teh diamonds. This time the R.I.C. positive in having their victim, charged at a “double” in the direction of the grove, but alas! for human shortsightedness the grove was undisturbed, save by the capers of a herd of wondering cattle who gazed in astonishment at the excited appearance of the two “men in green.”
Now, indeed, it was time the perplexed constable thought to invoke other aid and to Prsonstown they sent, not for spirit layers or charmers, but more police. Quickly enough out went a posse, led on to death or glory, with a determination worthy of the wearer of a Crimean Medal, by Head-Constable Enright. On the arrival of this detachment the Crinkleites picked themselves up considerably and (policemen again) set about searching for tracks. Close indeed was the scrutiny, when suddenly a junior member of the force fresh from a study of Jack the Giant Killer, Ali Baba, &c., proclaimed that he hit on “a trail,” which sure enough was the legitimate cloven foot. Great then was the rejoicing, in the midst of which loomed the three golden stripes before the lynx eyed subs.’ heated brain. But alas! again, humanum est errare, out walks a harmless goat, which shortly before had been patrolling on the gravel path, and whether to impound him or mete out summary judisdiction was debated, but, fortunately for the wearer of horns, and while the discussion went on a crack was heard, and another diamond went before the Head-Constable’s gaze. This was the first since his arrival and the party had almost concluded that the appearance of their burley good humoured leader had exorcised the demons, that it was not the case, however, was quickly demonstrated, as in the course of a few minutes the glaziers bill was increased by further diamonds.
In the midst of the commotion Mr Fulton, S.I. arrived, but with an audacity unabated the destruction of the diamonds still went on. Ingenuity was now almost exhausted, and as a last resource, the Head-Constable ordered the shutters inside the windows to be shut, when curiously and significantly enough the smashing, it is said, ceased instantly. Further investigation showed that the great quantity of glass fell outside the windows, suggesting that the missiles must have come from inside.
The caretaker, it is said, admits that some stones have been thrown from the inside, denying, of course, any participation in the outrage. On the cessation of the smashing the police retired to sleep and dream on the extraordinary circumstances of the day in the hope that some invisible agency would prompt them with a solution of what is still a nine days wonder.
That evening and the early part of next day passed without any excitement beyond the crowds of visitors who flocked out to gaze open-mouthed on the ghosts’ work. But on Monday evening one of our most respected Town Councillors, whose experience in the management and subjugation of spirits (old and new) is unquestionable, paid the place a visit and while he was immersed in thought a pane was smashed over his very head, when the worthy burgess (it may be repeated without reflecting on his character for intrepidity) took to his heels and covered the distance from the cemetery gate ot the Big Tree on John’s Mall in a shorter space of time than it has ever before been done in. It is further stated that fiery bolts or stones were shot after the retreating Councillor, but such statements must be accepted with caution.
After this ebullition, the angry spirits appear to have been appeased until Tuesday afternoon, when amongst other visitors were the Rev. Dr. Bugler, P.P., and the Rev. Mr Phelan, R.C.C. , with some officers of the garrison. During the time those gentlemen were on the ground nothing unusual took place, but they had not long left when they were overtaken by Martin Kennedy, the caretaker, running as if a pack of spirits were in full cry at his heels, he informed his hearers that “they” had begun again, and he was on his way to seek the protection of the police.
Another investigation proved that the windows were undoubtedly smashed, but the destructive power was and is up to this moment shrouded in mystery. The police say “they have their eye” on some one or something, but policemen always say that, it raises them a peg or two above ordinary individuals; they may have their eye on some one but let us hope that certain One has not his eye on them, should he have we would not give much for their comfort in this world – that is if we are to place credence in all we were told in our juvenile days as to the powers of these mighty though unseen agents.
Of course rumours without limit are afloat, every old woman has a version and every new version outsteps its predecessors in absurdity. One asserts that the spirit of a departed anti-Burial Rater who was interred there against his will, is now “taking it out” of the man who laid the last sod over him. Another will have it that the fresh issue of summonses which took place last week in the Burial Rate controversy is causing such commotion “down stairs,” the inhabitants of that region adopting this as the most effectual method of displaying their “undying” hostility to the obnoxious rate. None appear, however, to have yet hit the mark, and we would gladly offer a prize to such of our readers as could solve this strange puzzle.
Leinster Reporter, 12th October 1876.
Spiritualism at Parsonstown Burial Ground.
An unusual amount of sensatino has been caused in Parsonstown by occurrences which have taken place at the new cemetery, near the town. Information was given to the constabulary that the windows of the house in which the caretaker lived were smashed. Two fo the local constabulary were sent out to make inquiry, and in the afternoon, while they were at the very premises, in company with Mr Fulton, their Sub Inspector, a series of stnoes were thrown, and the windows again broken.
The place is quite open, and all the exertions fo the police have been unable to discover where the stones came from. During the day police patrolled the locality, and yet occasionally a shower of stones dropped into the windows till they were riddled. It is now currently reported that some unearthly influence is at work. Numbers visited the scene during the day. There has been a good deal of litigation between the ratepayers of the town and town commissioners about the levying of a burial rate.
Longford Journal, 14th October 1876.