A team of paranormal investigators have this week commenced an examination of the historic Loop Head Lighthouse located on County Clare’s most westerly point.
Munster-based GhostEire are seeking to identify what they describe as “any signs of the afterlife” within the walls and grounds of the 19th century lighthouse, now one of County Clare’s most visited tourism sites since it officially opened to the public in 2011 by Clare County Council and the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL).
In the past the GhostEire team has carried out paranormal investigations at a number of famous landmarks, including Tarbert Bridewell (Kerry), Carriganass Castle (Cork), McCarthy’s Bar (Tipperary) and Dunguaire Castle (Galway).
“Loop Head Lighthouse still holds a lot of residual energy in its walls and rugged cliff tops,” explained Anthony Kerrigan of GhostEire.
“GhostEire was set up in early 2009 to locate and research evidence to suggest there is an afterlife. We travel to historical buildings and surroundings that hold clues to the country’s past. The GhostEire team comprises Jennifer and Rhiannon Cremins, noted Physic Xak Arroo, Sinead Houlahan, Dominic Mugridge and Grace O’ Doherty,” he added.
Commenting on this week’s investigation at Loop Head Lighthouse, which is being facilitated by Clare County Council and the CIL, Mr. Kerrigan explained: “We evaluate every nook and cranny. We always do base testing before an investigation, checking sound, lighting, electromagnetic field and temperatures, which might contribute to the environmental reason for a ‘haunting’. We then set up the equipment that suits the activity declared. For example, if a ‘haunting’ is related to movement then motion sensors or trigger objects are placed in that particular area with a camera to catch the motion are used. If it’s a whispering entity then we use our sound audio equipment, while temperature changes are monitored using infra-red thermometers.
“As well as surrounding evidence we like to take individual valuations as well, taking a pulse reading before and after investigation or particular experiment. Other equipment we use include infra-red (night vision cameras), Full Spectrum Cameras along with the older video visionary camcorders,” he said
Loop Head Lighthouse, located at the mouth of the Shannon Estuary, is steeped in history and rich in maritime heritage with its origins dating back to the 1670s. The existing tower style lighthouse was constructed in 1854 and was operated and maintained by a keeper who lived within the lighthouse compound.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s grandfather was a keeper at the lighthouse. James John McGinley took up duty at the Lighthouse as Principal Keeper on 16th January 1933. He spent 1 year and 10 months at Loop Head. He was transferred from the station in October 1934. In January 1991, the lighthouse was converted to automatic operation, and today is in the care of an attendant and is also monitored by the Commissioners of Irish Lights.
Follow the Loop Head Lighthouse investigation on www.ghosteire.net and on Facebook (Ghosteire). For more on Loop Head Lighthouse visit www.loophead.ie, www.clare.ie or www.shannonregiontrails.ie.
Munster-based GhostEire are seeking to identify what they describe as “any signs of the afterlife” within the walls and grounds of the 19th century lighthouse, now one of County Clare’s most visited tourism sites since it officially opened to the public in 2011 by Clare County Council and the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL).
In the past the GhostEire team has carried out paranormal investigations at a number of famous landmarks, including Tarbert Bridewell (Kerry), Carriganass Castle (Cork), McCarthy’s Bar (Tipperary) and Dunguaire Castle (Galway).
“Loop Head Lighthouse still holds a lot of residual energy in its walls and rugged cliff tops,” explained Anthony Kerrigan of GhostEire.
“GhostEire was set up in early 2009 to locate and research evidence to suggest there is an afterlife. We travel to historical buildings and surroundings that hold clues to the country’s past. The GhostEire team comprises Jennifer and Rhiannon Cremins, noted Physic Xak Arroo, Sinead Houlahan, Dominic Mugridge and Grace O’ Doherty,” he added.
Commenting on this week’s investigation at Loop Head Lighthouse, which is being facilitated by Clare County Council and the CIL, Mr. Kerrigan explained: “We evaluate every nook and cranny. We always do base testing before an investigation, checking sound, lighting, electromagnetic field and temperatures, which might contribute to the environmental reason for a ‘haunting’. We then set up the equipment that suits the activity declared. For example, if a ‘haunting’ is related to movement then motion sensors or trigger objects are placed in that particular area with a camera to catch the motion are used. If it’s a whispering entity then we use our sound audio equipment, while temperature changes are monitored using infra-red thermometers.
“As well as surrounding evidence we like to take individual valuations as well, taking a pulse reading before and after investigation or particular experiment. Other equipment we use include infra-red (night vision cameras), Full Spectrum Cameras along with the older video visionary camcorders,” he said
Loop Head Lighthouse, located at the mouth of the Shannon Estuary, is steeped in history and rich in maritime heritage with its origins dating back to the 1670s. The existing tower style lighthouse was constructed in 1854 and was operated and maintained by a keeper who lived within the lighthouse compound.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s grandfather was a keeper at the lighthouse. James John McGinley took up duty at the Lighthouse as Principal Keeper on 16th January 1933. He spent 1 year and 10 months at Loop Head. He was transferred from the station in October 1934. In January 1991, the lighthouse was converted to automatic operation, and today is in the care of an attendant and is also monitored by the Commissioners of Irish Lights.
Follow the Loop Head Lighthouse investigation on www.ghosteire.net and on Facebook (Ghosteire). For more on Loop Head Lighthouse visit www.loophead.ie, www.clare.ie or www.shannonregiontrails.ie.
