Whispering Stones

In "Leap Castle: Shadows and Stone - Ireland's Gateway to the Paranormal," the Whispering Stones podcast delves into the heart of County Offaly, Ireland, to explore the enigmatic Leap Castle. With a history as rich and turbulent as the castle itself, this episode traverses the shadowy line between the known and the unknown. From its origins shrouded in mystery and bloodshed to its pr...

In the episode "Echoes of Daingean: From Royal Stronghold to Peatland Passage" of the "Whispering Stones" podcast, listeners are transported to the village of Daingean in County Offaly, Ireland, a place with a rich tapestry of history that spans from royal allegiances to the humble peatlands. Originally named Philipstown in honour of King Philip II of Spain, Daingean's past...

In "Echoes of Birr: A Journey Through Time," the latest episode of the "Whispering Stones" podcast, we dive deep into the heart of Birr, County Offaly, exploring its rich tapestry of history, architecture, and celestial discoveries. This episode traverses the town's evolution from its early monastic roots in the 8th and 9th centuries, through the strategic importance of its...

In this captivating episode of Whispering Stones, we delve into the rich tapestry of history and legend surrounding Clonony Castle, a Tudor-style fortress nestled in the heart of Ireland. Built by the MacCoughlan family in the 1500s, Clonony Castle stands as a monument to a bygone era, with its towering structure, intricate mural passages, and a spiral staircase leading to secrets of the past. We...

In the enthralling episode of "Whispering Stones," titled "Echoes of Clonmacnoise: Unveiling Ireland's Timeless Monastic City," listeners are invited on a journey through time to the historic site of Clonmacnoise, located along the serene River Shannon in County Offaly, Ireland. This episode beautifully unravels the complex tapestry of Clonmacnoise's history, architectu...

In this episode of our podcast Whispering Stones, "Secrets in Stone: The Gloster House Tapestry," we weave through the corridors of time to uncover the rich tapestry of Gloster House's history. Situated at the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, this grand estate harbours three centuries of Irish heritage within its storied walls. We begin by painting a picture of Gloster House’...

In this captivating episode of "Whispering Stones," we delve into the mysterious and storied past of Kinnitty Castle, County Offaly. Nestled between the villages of Kinnitty and Cadamstown, north of the Slieve Bloom mountains, this 19th-century Gothic revival castle holds centuries of history within its walls. Originally owned by the Bernard family, the castle's journey from a Norman...

In this captivating episode of "Whispering Stones," we delve into the enigmatic world of Charleville Castle, a historic jewel nestled in the outskirts of Tullamore, County Offaly. "Echoes and Shadows: The Mystique of Charleville Castle" takes listeners on an auditory journey through time, unveiling the castle's rich tapestry of history, architecture, and legend. As the epis...

In this captivating episode of Whispering Stones, we delve into the rich tapestry of Ireland's oldest distillery, the Kilbeggan Distillery. Nestled on the banks of the River Brosna in County Westmeath, this distillery's story is a remarkable blend of heritage, community spirit, and resilience. Starting with its origins in 1757 by founder Mathew McManus, the episode takes listeners on a jou...

In this captivating episode of "Whispering Stones," we delve into the rich tapestry of Athlone's railway history, exploring the twin tales of its two iconic stations. Set against the backdrop of the River Shannon, the episode brings to life the Midland Great Western Railway station and the Great Southern and Western Railway station, each a landmark in its own right. Journey with us a...

In this captivating episode of Whispering Stones, we travel back to the heart of Ireland, where the storied Athlone Castle stands guard over the River Shannon. "Echoes of Athlone: Unearthing the Secrets of a Resilient Castle" offers a vivid journey through the centuries, exploring the tumultuous history of this iconic fortress. We begin in the 12th century, uncovering the origins of Athl...

In this episode of "Whispering Stones," we embark on a captivating journey to Killua Castle in County Westmeath, Ireland. Once a neglected ruin, this 18th-century castle has been lovingly restored, transforming into a symbol of beauty and resilience in the Irish countryside. We delve into the castle's rich history, tracing its origins to Sir Benjamin Chapman in the 1700s and explorin...

In this episode of Whispering Stones, titled "Echoes of the Past: Unveiling the Mysteries of St. Munna’s Ancient Church," we delve into the rich history and architectural splendor of St. Munna’s Church in Taghmon, Co. Westmeath. Built in the 15th century on the site of a 6th-century monastery, this church stands as a testament to Ireland's ecclesiastical heritage. The episode highlig...

In this captivating episode of "Whispering Stones," we travel back in time to explore the mystical Inchbofin Island, a hidden gem in the eastern part of Lough Ree. Our journey begins in the 6th century with Saint Rioch, who founded a monastery that became a beacon of spirituality, recorded in the ancient Annals until 1089. We then delve into the architectural wonders of the 12th century...

"Step into the hallowed echoes of Athlone where the 'Whispering Stones' podcast unravels a tapestry woven with divine artistry and historical threads. In this episode, ‘Through the Looking Glass: The Whispering Stones of Athlone's Renaissance Jewel,’ we delve into the soul-stirring beauty of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul. Witness a sanctuary where the River Shannon flows as...

Dive into the captivating world of Irish history with our latest Whispering Stones Podcast episode, "Uisneach: The Hearthstone of History". Uncover the secrets of Uisneach, a mystical hill in County Westmeath, revered as the spiritual and geographical heart of Ireland. From the enigmatic Neolithic monuments to its role as a political and spiritual hub, this episode weaves together the th...

In this episode of Whispering Stones, we journey to the enchanting village of Delvin, just 18 kilometers from the town of Mullingar in County Westmeath, Ireland. Our destination is the captivating Clonyn Castle, a Victorian baronial masterpiece that has witnessed centuries of history and intrigue. We delve into the rich history of Clonyn Castle, from its construction in 1639 for Richard Nugent, th...

Uncover the untold tales of Delvin Castle, where history meets mystery. Delve into the ancient stones that echo with the stories of loyalty, strategic intrigue, and an eerie twist of hauntings. Join us as we journey through the centuries, exploring the castle's rich history and the legends that surround it. From a haunted inn, where a blacksmith's spirit still lingers, to a controversial b...

"In this episode of Whispering Stones, we embark on a journey to County Westmeath, Ireland, to uncover the enchanting history of Knockdrin Castle. Nestled amidst picturesque landscapes, this Neo-Gothic masterpiece has witnessed centuries of transformation and intrigue. From its mysterious architectural origins, with debates over the architects behind its grandeur, to the castle's recent t...

Discover the captivating history of Ballinlough Castle in County Westmeath, where the legacy of a Catholic-Celtic family defied the odds. Dive into the fascinating story of the O'Reilly family, who not only weathered the challenges of Catholicism during a tumultuous era but also orchestrated a clever maneuver involving a prized horse. Uncover the castle's evolution, architectural wonders,...

"Step back in time with us as we unveil the captivating history of Glananea House and its enigmatic gate. In this episode, we journey through the centuries to explore the lavish world of Ralph Smyth, a prominent landowner, and his quest to shed a nickname that defined him. Discover the stunning architectural marvel that played a pivotal role in his identity crisis and how it ended up at a nei...

In this captivating episode of "Whispering Stones," we embark on a journey to unveil the hidden stories and timeless charm of Middleton Park House , a Georgian gem nestled in the heart of County Westmeath. Host Bernice Cooke takes you on a mesmerizing tour of this 19th Century masterpiece, where architectural splendor meets tales of heroism and elegance. Discover the architectural wonder...

"In this gripping episode of Whispering Stones, we journey back to the 18th century, where opulence and secrets converged within the walls of Belvedere House in Ireland. The episode unravels the harrowing tale of Robert Rochfort, the 1st Earl of Belvedere, and his wife, Mary Molesworth. As a man of wealth and social standing, Robert sought a wife to secure his lineage, but their union took a...

Nestled beside the vibrant village green of Tyrrellspass, the graceful structure of St. Sinan’s Church beckons with a charm that captures the gaze. Its warm, sandstone hues create a striking contrast against the lush emerald backdrop, drawing your attention from afar. If you would like to have a look at my recreation of St. Sinan's Church in Pen and watercolor 👉 https://bernicecookeartist.com...

Picture this: a towering sentinel from the 13th century, nestled amidst the lush landscapes of Westmeath. Tyrrellspass Castle, once home to the Tyrrell family, cousins of none other than William the Conqueror. These remarkable individuals arrived in Ireland following the Norman Invasion of the 12th century, carving their place in the tapestry of local history. If you would like to view my original...