Whispering Stones

Explore the fascinating legacy of Cornelius O’Brien, the 19th-century Irish MP who shaped the landscape of Liscannor and the Cliffs of Moher. In this episode of Whispering Stones , we uncover the story behind Birchfield House, the iconic O’Brien’s Tower — the first structure built for visitors at the Cliffs — and a network of schools, bridges, harbours, and legends scattered across County Clare. T...

Explore the historic site of Beál Boru near Killaloe, County Clare , a mysterious ringfort that once stood at the heart of ancient Irish power. In this bite-sized episode, we trace the legend of Brian Boru , Ireland’s most famous High King , and uncover the secrets of his possible birthplace on the banks of the River Shannon . From Stone Age tools to Viking resistance , and from Norman invasions t...

Explore the fascinating history of Ballynalacken Castle , a hidden gem in County Clare, Ireland , perched on the edge of the Burren region . In this bite-sized episode, uncover the layered story of a 15th-century tower house , the powerful O’Brien dynasty , and how this once-fortified structure became the elegant Ballinalacken Castle Hotel . Learn about medieval Irish clans , Cromwellian land seiz...

Step into the remote limestone landscape of the Burren in County Clare, Ireland, where the ancient stone fort of Ballykinvarga hides in plain sight. In this short but fascinating episode, we explore the unique architecture, mysterious chevaux-de-frise defenses, and the possible legacy of a medieval “cattle baron.” With massive dry-stone walls, rare upright stone barricades, and a history dating ba...

Step into the haunting history of Strokestown, County Roscommon — a town of wide Georgian streets and deeper scars. In this episode, we explore the chilling story behind the Mahon family estate , the National Famine Museum , and the brutal legacy of assisted emigration aboard “coffin ships.” Discover how landlord conflict , tenant resistance , and the assassination of Major Denis Mahon shaped this...

In this episode of Whispering Stones , we uncover the hidden history of Roscommon Town—County Roscommon’s unassuming capital that's brimming with intrigue. From a cursed castle built on stolen land to a "hangwoman" turned executioner, Roscommon’s stone walls have whispered secrets for centuries. Discover sacred ruins, famine tragedies, and a church with a missing medieval treasure. Perfect for his...

In this episode of Whispering Stones , we journey through the haunting history of Rockingham House , the once-glorious estate on the shores of Lough Key , County Roscommon. Built by renowned architect John Nash for the King family—later Lords Lorton—this grand house was marked by opulence, eccentric design, and eventually, disaster. Twice ravaged by fire and finally demolished, what remains today...

Synopsis: Explore the haunting ruins of Rinndoon, a forgotten medieval town in County Roscommon , once known as the Camelot of the Shannon . In this episode of Whispering Stones , discover the hidden history of Rinndoon Castle , its Norman founders, and the rise and fall of this 13th-century walled town on the edge of Lough Ree . From pirate lords to the Black Death, learn why this Irish ghost tow...

Synopsis: In this episode of Whispering Stones , we explore the fascinating history of Kilronan Castle , a breathtaking castle hotel in County Roscommon , Ireland. Once the ancestral home of the aristocratic Tenison family , this 19th-century estate stood in ruin for decades before being restored to its former glory. Discover how this once-abandoned Irish castle was transformed into a luxury castl...

Synopsis: In this haunting episode of Season Four, Whispering Stones travels to Frenchpark, County Roscommon — once the domain of the mighty French family, Barons de Freyne. From the grand red-brick elegance of French Park to the ruined tower of Cloonshanville Priory, we trace the rise and quiet fall of a dynasty carved into the land and lore of Ireland. Discover how fox hunts, politics, and the I...

Synopsis: In this episode of Whispering Stones , host Bernice Cooke unravels the turbulent history of Donamon Castle , one of Ireland’s oldest continuously inhabited fortresses. Perched above the River Suck in County Roscommon, this ancient stronghold has seen centuries of power struggles, betrayals, and destruction—from the O’Finaghtys and Norman invaders to the rise of the Burkes and the Cromwel...

In this episode of Whispering Stones , host Bernice Cooke takes us on a journey to Clonalis House , a magnificent estate in County Roscommon that holds the last remnants of Ireland’s royal past. As the ancestral home of the O’Conor Don , direct descendants of the last High Kings of Ireland , Clonalis House is more than just a historic landmark—it is a living testament to a dynasty that once ruled...

Synopsis: In this episode of Whispering Stones , host Bernice Cooke explores the eerie and legendary Oweynagat, or the Cave of Cats, in County Roscommon. Part of the Rathcroghan complex, this mysterious cave has long been associated with Queen Medb, Samhain traditions, and tales of the supernatural. Was this cave truly a gateway to the Otherworld, or merely an ancient passage lost to time? Join us...

Synopsis: Deep in County Roscommon, near the village of Athleague, lies the forgotten estate of Castle Strange —a place where history lingers in the ruins and an ancient Celtic relic whispers secrets of the past. At its heart stands a rare La Tène ritual stone , one of only four found in Ireland, adorned with intricate Iron Age designs. But Castle Strange’s story doesn’t end with the Celts. From t...

Synopsis: Nestled at the foot of the Curlew Mountains, Boyle, County Roscommon, is a town where echoes of history whisper through ancient ruins and storied landscapes. In this episode of Whispering Stones , we unravel the tales of Boyle Abbey’s medieval monks, the rise and fall of the powerful King family, and the battle cries of Curlew Pass. From famine hardships to political revolutions, each st...

Synopsis: Deep in County Roscommon , Ballintober Castle stands as a centuries-old stronghold of conquest, rebellion, and resilience . Built in the early 1300s by the powerful Richard de Burgh, Earl of Ulster , this fortress became a battleground between Anglo-Normans and the O’Conor clan , witnessing sieges, Elizabethan conquests, and brutal wars . From the Nine Years' War to the Cromwellian confi...

Synopsis: Athleague, County Roscommon, holds centuries of history—once ruled by the mighty O’Kellys of Hy-Many, shadowed by the Ormsby family’s ruthless reign, and haunted by the tragic fate of Riobard na Gliogarnach, the Jingling Harness. In this episode of Whispering Stones, uncover the ancient castles, cursed lords, and eerie legends that still echo through the ruins of Tubbervaddy and Rookwood...

Step into the haunting history of Tyrone House , the abandoned Georgian mansion of Kilcolgan, County Galway. Once a symbol of aristocratic grandeur, this 18th-century estate—built for the powerful St. George family—now stands as a desolate ruin against the windswept backdrop of Galway Bay. Discover its rise and fall, from lavish interiors and heated greenhouses to its fiery destruction during the...

Discover the captivating history of Tulira Castle, a striking 17th-century Irish stronghold that evolved into a Victorian Gothic mansion. Designed by George C. Ashlin, the castle’s towering halls and stained-glass windows housed Edward Martyn, a dramatist and patron of the arts. But did Martyn regret the grandeur he commissioned? Why did he retreat to the medieval tower instead of living in his la...

Synopsis Delve into the fascinating history of Tuam, County Galway, in this episode of Whispering Stones . From its origins as a Bronze Age settlement to its rise as a medieval religious and political powerhouse, Tuam's story is as complex as it is captivating. Discover the legends of St. Jarlath and his broken chariot wheel, the architectural splendor of its cathedrals, and the lasting legacy of...

Synopsis: Dive into the captivating history and legends of Saint MacDara's Island , a small yet significant sanctuary off the coast of Galway. In this episode of Whispering Stones , we explore the ancient oratory, the customs of seafaring pilgrims, and the enigmatic stories of Saint MacDara himself. From historical accounts by Ruaídhrí Ó Flaithbheartaigh to the annual Feast of MacDara, discover ho...

Synopsis: In this captivating episode of Whispering Stones , we journey to St. Cleran’s, a historic Georgian manor nestled in the picturesque countryside of County Galway. Built by the prominent Burke family in 1784, this grand estate has witnessed centuries of Irish history. From the adventurous tales of Robert O’Hara Burke, the ill-fated Australian explorer, to the Hollywood glamour brought by l...

Step into the enchanting world of Ross Errilly Friary , a breathtaking medieval monastic site nestled along the Black River near Headford, County Galway. In this episode of Whispering Stones , we uncover the mysteries, legends, and history surrounding Ireland’s best-preserved Franciscan Friary . Explore the Friary’s uncertain founding—was it the work of the Burkes, the Gannards, or someone else en...

Episode Synopsis: Roscam: Where Saints Walked, Vikings Raided, and Stones Whispered In this episode of Whispering Stones , we delve into the captivating history and mysteries of Roscam, a hidden gem just outside Galway City. Nestled along the picturesque shores of Oranmore Bay, Roscam’s story unfolds across centuries, blending Irish Christian heritage, Viking invasions, medieval duels, and archite...

Episode Synopsis: Portumna’s Secrets: Ireland’s Renaissance Castle and the Silent Priory In this episode of Whispering Stones , we journey to County Galway to uncover the captivating history of Portumna Castle and Portumna Priory , two of Ireland’s most remarkable historical landmarks. Once a shining example of Renaissance architecture and grandeur, Portumna Castle was built by Richard Burke, the...