Whispering Stones

Ireland is filled with ruined castles, but few have a story quite like Brittas Castle in County Tipperary. In this episode of Whispering Stones , Bernice Cooke explores the remarkable history of Ireland's finest unfinished Medieval Revival castle. Discover the visionary architect William Vitruvius Morrison, the Langley family, the tragic accident that ended construction, and why this extraordinary...

Journey to the hidden ruins of Ballynakill Castle in County Tipperary , one of Ireland's most unusual fortified houses. In this episode of Whispering Stones , Bernice Cooke explores the history of this remarkable Butler stronghold near Roscrea, its impressive 17th-century architecture, vast defensive bawn walls, and the families who once called it home. Discover the stories behind one of Ireland's...

Join Bernice Cooke on Whispering Stones as we journey to Ballynahow Castle , a remarkably preserved 16th-century tower house in County Tipperary , located just outside Thurles on the banks of the Farneybridge River. Unlike most Irish tower houses, Ballynahow Castle's rare circular design makes it a fascinating example of medieval Irish architecture . In this brief but engaging episode, discover th...

Hidden deep in the countryside near Cashel, Athassel Abbey is one of Ireland’s most remarkable medieval ruins — and few people have ever heard of it. In this episode of Whispering Stones , Bernice Cooke explores the haunting remains of Ireland’s largest Augustinian priory, founded in the 12th century by William de Burgh. Once home to thousands of people, Athassel Abbey survived fire, destruction,...

Discover the haunting ruins, Norman history, abandoned mills and hidden heritage of Ardmayle, a quiet village beside the River Suir in County Tipperary. In this episode of Whispering Stones , artist and writer Bernice Cooke explores the hidden history of Ardmayle, County Tipperary. From the crumbling remains of a 19th-century woollen mill to the ruined Ardmayle Manor destroyed during the Williamit...

In this episode of Whispering Stones , Bernice Cooke journeys to Ahenny in County Tipperary, home to some of Ireland’s oldest and most remarkable High Crosses. Discover the rich history of the Kingdom of Ossory, explore nearby megalithic tombs like Knockroe and Baunfree, and uncover the symbolism carved into these early medieval masterpieces. A short, engaging dive into Irish heritage, folklore, a...

Step into the rich history of Westport, County Mayo—one of Ireland’s most beautifully planned Georgian towns. From the legacy of Gráinne Mhaol and the powerful Browne family to the architectural splendour of Westport House, this episode explores centuries of heritage along the shores of Clew Bay. Discover the influence of the 1916 Rising, the Irish War of Independence, and Civil War events that sh...

Step into the rich history of Turlough, County Mayo, home to one of Ireland’s best-preserved round towers and the National Museum of Country Life. In this episode of Whispering Stones , Bernice Cooke explores early Christian Ireland, the ruins of St. Patrick’s Church, ancient burial traditions, and the dramatic life of George “Fighting Fitzgerald.” Discover Irish heritage, folklore, archaeology, a...

In this episode of Whispering Stones , Bernice Cooke explores the fascinating history of Strade Abbey in County Mayo , a medieval Dominican friary with a dramatic origin story. Founded in the 13th century and famously transferred from the Franciscans after a bold act of persuasion, the abbey holds stunning stone carvings, a rare Pietà sculpture, and centuries of hidden stories. Discover Ireland’s...

Nestled along the banks of the River Moy near Killala Bay in County Mayo, Rosserk Abbey is one of Ireland’s best-preserved Franciscan friaries. Founded in the 15th century by the Joyce family, this remarkable medieval site holds centuries of history—from its unique Third Order Franciscan community to its destruction during the Elizabethan era. In this episode of Whispering Stones , we explore the...

Step into the windswept shores of Clew Bay in County Mayo as we explore Rockfleet Castle, the historic stronghold of Ireland’s legendary Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley (Gráinne Mhaol). In this episode of Whispering Stones, we uncover the fascinating story behind this 16th-century Irish tower house, from sea battles and political intrigue to Grace O’Malley’s famous meeting with Queen Elizabeth I. Disc...

In this episode of Whispering Stones , host Bernice Cooke explores the quiet village of The Neale in County Mayo , a place filled with extraordinary history and mysterious monuments. Just kilometres from Cong, Cross and Ballinrobe , The Neale sits on a limestone plateau surrounded by archaeological treasures including prehistoric cairns, stone circles, ringforts and crannogs . Yet it is the villag...

In this episode of Whispering Stones , Bernice Cooke explores Murrisk Abbey in County Mayo , a 15th-century Augustinian friary nestled along the shores of Clew Bay beneath Croagh Patrick . Founded in 1456 and steeped in legend, reform, and Reformation-era upheaval, this medieval Irish ruin may stand on the site of an earlier church linked to Saint Patrick himself. Discover the stories behind its f...

Step into the windswept ruins of Moyne Abbey in County Mayo , one of the finest surviving examples of a Franciscan monastery in Ireland . In this episode of Whispering Stones , artist and writer Bernice Cooke explores the abbey’s medieval origins, its links to St Patrick , the powerful MacWilliam Burke family, and the dramatic events that unfolded during the Tudor conquest of Connacht . From hidde...

In this episode of Whispering Stones , we explore the haunting ruins of Moore Hall in County Mayo, Ireland — a Georgian manor burned during the Irish Civil War and wrapped in stories of curses, famine relief, rebellion, and restless spirits. From the powerful Moore family to chilling ghost sightings in the forests around Lough Carra, this episode uncovers the tragic history and paranormal legends...

Discover the haunting ruins of Inishmaine Abbey in County Mayo, a once-island monastery on the shores of Lough Mask. Founded in the 7th century by St. Cormac and later rebuilt as a Benedictine nunnery, this peaceful medieval site holds centuries of Irish history, folklore, and spiritual life. In this short and atmospheric episode of Whispering Stones , artist and writer Bernice Cooke explores the...

On the remote coast of Doonamoe , County Mayo, history, geology, and art collide. In this episode of Whispering Stones , artist and writer Bernice Cooke explores Dún na mBó , an ancient promontory fort overlooking the Atlantic, a dramatic natural blowhole carved by the sea, and a powerful contemporary sculpture marking a Celtic “thin place.” A short, atmospheric journey along Ireland’s Wild Atlant...

Nestled between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask , Cong in County Mayo is a village shaped by water, faith, and folklore. In this episode of Whispering Stones , artist and writer Bernice Cooke explores Cong’s layered history — from its 12th-century abbey and the exquisite Cross of Cong , to its links with Ireland’s last High King, underground rivers, Oscar Wilde’s family, and Hollywood’s The Quiet Man...

In this episode of Whispering Stones, artist and writer Bernice Cooke explores the layered history of Castlebar, the county town of County Mayo. From medieval Gaelic clans and Norman castles to rebellion, famine, industry, and refuge, Castlebar reveals a powerful story of survival and transformation. Discover Barry’s Castle, the Races of Castlebar, the Linen Hall, the Land League, and the remarkab...

Nestled beside Clew Bay, just outside Newport in County Mayo, Burrishoole Abbey has witnessed over five centuries of faith, rebellion, and quiet resistance. In this episode of Whispering Stones , artist and writer Bernice Cooke tells the dramatic story of a Dominican friary founded by the Burke clan, protected by pirate royalty, scarred by English occupation, and remembered for a miracle that save...

Hidden beneath the rolling green landscape of County Mayo lies Ballintober Abbey , a place where history, legend, and faith have endured for more than 800 years. In this episode of Whispering Stones , artist and writer Bernice Cooke explores the remarkable story of an abbey founded by kings, shaped by fire and famine, and sustained by a community who never abandoned it — even when its roof was gon...

Hidden beneath ivy and brambles near Newmarket-on-Fergus, the ruins of Urlanmore Castle tell a haunting tale of power, rebellion, and folklore. Built in the 15th century by the MacClancy clan, this once-imposing tower house is believed to be the birthplace of the legendary Máire Rua — one of Ireland’s most infamous historical women. In this season finale of Whispering Stones , we explore collapsin...

Journey to Tuamgraney , a quiet East Clare village where myth, memory, and stone intertwine. In this episode of Whispering Stones , artist and writer Bernice Cooke explores the haunting legend of Grian, Ireland’s oldest church still in use, Viking raids, Brian Boru’s lasting footprint, and the sacred landscape of Lough Derg . A short, atmospheric history rich in folklore, medieval architecture, an...

In this episode of Whispering Stones , artist and writer Bernice Cooke journeys to Scattery Island (Inis Cathaigh) on the Shannon Estuary in County Clare . From the legends of Saint Senan and the sea monster Cathach , to Viking raids, Norse kings, Napoleonic defences , and the island’s last families, this short and engaging history uncovers one of Ireland’s most fascinating monastic islands. A sto...

Step into the haunting beauty of Quin Abbey , one of County Clare’s most captivating medieval sites. In this episode of Whispering Stones , artist and writer Bernice Cooke uncovers the dramatic story of this Franciscan friary—built on the bones of a Norman castle, shaped by battles for Thomond, shattered by Henry VIII and Cromwell, and wrapped in myths of hidden gold, ghostly guardians, and myster...