A Ghost In Cork.
For the past three or four nights the residents in the vicinity of North Gate Bridge have been kept in a state of excitement from an idea that a ghost had taken possession of one of the houses. The house in question is situated on Kyrl’s Quay, and occupied by an old lady named Cahill and her servant maid, whose name is stated to be Ahern, and who, beyond a doubt, is the real ghost.
The deflt ware business is carried on in the house. It appears not only the shop, but every room contains a large quantity of the marchandise. This it was that furnished the material for the performance of that awful individual – the ghost.
The attention of the public was first attracted by a crash as if a large quantity of ware had been dashed about the house. That continued for several nights. It was not until Saturday night, however, that any particular notice was taken of the noise. It should be mentioned that it was only in the night time it took place.
On Saturday night about half-past nine o’clock a large crowd collected near the house attracted thither by the noise. After every crash the screams of a female were heard. The occupants of the neighbouring houses complained of annoyance the proceedings were causing their families, what was to be done they could not tell.
A number of the Constabulary entered the house and searched it all over, but could find no trace of the intruder. Subsequently Constables Clarke and Rusk, of Shandon street station, got out on the roof of the next house and into the other house through the skylight. They searched every room from the top downwards. When they came to the old lady’s bedroom they found Miss Cahill and her servant trembling. Their fears were increased at the unexpected appearance of the constables. The latter satisfied them to some extent by explaining their mode of entrance.
The constables then set to look for the ghost in company with the servant, leaving Miss Cahill in the room. Before leaving the room, however, they noticed that there were several heaps of ware, and that nothing could be easier than to throw some pieces from one place to another and thereby cause the noise referred to, while they calculated that the maid could have added to the effect by screaming.
They, therefore, as an experiment, had the woman to accompany them to the lower part of the house. After waiting there for nearly an hour, during which time the noise was not heard, they asked the woman where the ghost was then. The only reply they got was a look which told that she was not altogether ignorant on that point. The constables then left, and no noise has since been heard.
The servant was only a few months in the house. What object she could have in creating such a sensation is not known.
The cessation of the noise does not appear to have satisfied the people, a great number of whom collected even last evening on the quay to “hear” the ghost. Stones were frequently thrown from the crowd at the windows, breaking several panes of glass. – Cork Examiner.
Leinster Independent, 23rd September 1871.