Irish Gothic Bites : The Dark Hedges

Send us a text

This week, Chris bites into the mystery that surrounds Ireland's Dark Hedges. Listen in to learn more about the iconic beech trees which formed the epic Kingsroad in HBO's Game of Thrones. 

The Irish Gothic Podcast explores the origins of Irish Folk tales. myths and legends in all their dark, fantastical glory and how these vivid yarns continue to resonate across the world to this very day. 

Join Hosts Chris Patterson and Spence Wright as they fuse their love for all thing's horror with a wellspring of Irish lore. 

From the terrifying figure of the Dullahan to the origins of Halloween itself, if it’s a yarn you’re after, pull up a chair and let ‘Irish Gothic’ fill your ears. 

Hosts: Chris Patterson & Spence Wright 

Producer: Rebecca Alcorn 

Production Company: Causeway Pictures 

Visit the Dark Hedges here !

https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/the-dark-hedges-p703291

Follow us:

Instagram: @irishgothicpod

X: @irishgothicpod

Website: https://irishgothicpod.buzzsprout.com

Show your support for the podcast at: buymeacoffee.com/irishgothicpod      

Checkout our other podcast - Hostage to the Devil, real life stories of exorcism and possession. Wherever you get your podcasts.

Causeway Pictures © All rights reserved           

www.causewaypictures.com

Support the show

Episode Transcript

(00:17):
I know all the folks round thesearts and parts.
Can't say I know you.
Leastways.
Not yet.
But I dare say I know whatyou'll be wanting.
Some of the crack, maybe.
How we yarn with your sup, isit?

(00:39):
No harm in that.
Come on over.
Warm yourself, hmm?
I'll warn you though.
If it's the old Begara andBlarney shenanigans you're
after, you'll not hear them fromme.
Well, if such, like, pleasesyou, you sit on.
I'll fill your ears.

(01:01):
And see what story is meant foryou.
On this dark old night.

chris-patterson_2_10-23-202 (01:22):
I'm Chris

spencey-guest437_2_10-23-20 (01:23):
I'm Spence

chris-patterson_2_10-23-202 (01:24):
And this is the Irish Gothic
Podcast.
Welcome to Gothic Bites.
The dark edges is an avenue ofbeach trees in county antrum,
Northern Ireland.
The trees form an atmospherictunnel that has been used as a

(01:46):
location by Game of Thrones.
But where did it start?
Well, in 1775, James Stewartbuilt a new house called Grace
Hill House after his wife, GraceLind.
Over 150 beech trees wereplanted along the entrance to
the road and created anauspicious approach.

(02:12):
This is fantastic because you'llsee this in any photograph, this
tunnel of trees.
According to legend, the hedgesare visited by a ghost called
the Gray Lady, who travels theroad and flits across it from
tree to tree.
She is claimed to be either thespirit of James Stewart's
daughter named Cross Peggy, orone of the house's mates who

(02:33):
died mysteriously or a spiritfrom an abandoned graveyard
beneath the fields who onHalloween is joined on her
visitation by other spirits fromthe graveyard.
As these trees are basically nowold age pensioners, only 90
remain of the original 150 andthose remaining are considered

(02:54):
past maturity.
This means that in previousyears when we've had storms and
wind a lot of them have blowndown.
In 2017, due to the damage oftourism, the road itself was
closed to vehicular traffic.
This has managed to keep anumber of the trees still
intact.
It also means that you can goand visit the Dark Ages today

(03:16):
and walk up the road amongst thetrees and imagine what it was
like the Dark Hedges is mostdefinitely a place to visit if
you come to our neck of thewoods.

(03:36):
See you next week.
Looks like your story has foundyou.
I wish It were another.
But what's meant for you, won'tgo by you.

(03:57):
I'm sorry.
Ach, now.
No need to look so scared, eh?
Enjoy the fire.
Have a sop.
Sure.
Is it all just Irish Gothic?
All just Irish Gothic.

chris-patterson_10_10-17-20 (04:23):
You can find us at iris gothic pod
on Instagram or X, or if youwant to support us, please buy
us a coffee

spence_9_10-17-2024_205215 (04:32):
and look, while you're there, give
us a follow to keep up with allthings in the Irish Gothic
Podcast.
Send us any Irish myths,legends, stories that you'd like
us to delve into next.

chris-patterson_10_10-23-20 (04:41):
The Irish Gothic Podcast was brought
to you by Causeway Pictures.
It's hosted by Chris Pattersonand Spence Wright.
And was produced by RebeccaAlcorn.
All rights reserved.

chris-patterson_10_10-17- (04:56):
Check out our other podcast, Hostage
to the Devil, which delves intothe dark world of possession and
exorcism.
You can get it wherever you getyour podcasts.