EP33 St Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers: The dark history of Wales’ patron saint of love, the folklore of Ynys Llanddwyn - the ‘Island of Love’, and how to celebrate Dydd Santes Dwynwen

St Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers and the 'island of love'

According to the legend, the life of fifth-century saint St Dwynen was far from easy.

She is said to have forsaken love for herself in order to bring it to others, and was granted wished by angels, and a magic potion, in order to make it happen from a church off the coast of Anglesey. 

Join Mark Rees (author of Ghosts of Wales) as he investigates her former home and site of pilgrimage on the island of Ynys Llanddwyn, and how she is celebrated annually on January 25.

So never mind St Valentine's Day - celebrate Dydd Santes Dwynen!

What is the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees podcast?

In early 2020, Mark Rees launched the world’s first podcast dedicated to Welsh ghost stories, folklore, myths and legends.

By combining his unique research and insights from many books and articles with long-lost tales from dusty old tomes, this weird and wonderful podcast takes a fascinating look at countless curious subjects.

New episodes are uploaded every Thursday, and feature everything from real-life encounters with pesky poltergeists to fantastical beasts from the Mabinogion and the skulled-headed Christmas favourite herself, the Mari Lwyd.

Be sure to subscribe, and for more details and to get in touch with Mark Rees, please visit:

• Mark Rees homepage
• Mark Rees on social media
• Books by Mark Rees
• Ghosts of Wales podcast

EP32 The Murdered Knight: A chilling real-life “Ghosts of Wales” tale in which the spectre of a slain warrior returns to a secluded Welsh farm house and turns a paranormal sceptic into a true believer

The Murdered Knight

The Ghosts and Folklore podcast kicks off 2021 in the best possible way - with a real-life "Ghosts of Wales" story sure to send a shiver down your spine!

Join Mark Rees (author of Ghosts of Wales) as he investigates a long-lost tale from the Victorian archives, in which an "intelligent" man is turned from a hard-nosed sceptic to a true believer in the paranormal after spending the night in a secluded farm house.

What he experienced that night forever changed him... dare you listen to all the strange details?

What is the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees podcast?

In early 2020, Mark Rees launched the world’s first podcast dedicated to Welsh ghost stories, folklore, myths and legends.

By combining his unique research and insights from many books and articles with long-lost tales from dusty old tomes, this weird and wonderful podcast takes a fascinating look at countless curious subjects.

New episodes are uploaded every Thursday, and feature everything from real-life encounters with pesky poltergeists to fantastical beasts from the Mabinogion and the skulled-headed Christmas favourite herself, the Mari Lwyd.

Be sure to subscribe, and for more details and to get in touch with Mark Rees, please visit:

• Mark Rees homepage
• Mark Rees on social media
• Books by Mark Rees
• Ghosts of Wales podcast

EP31 New Year’s Folklore of Wales: From the Mari Lwyd to Calennig, it’s out with the old and in with the new as Mark Rees explores the history of Welsh folklore on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day

New Year's Folklore of Wales

It's out with the old and in with the new on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast!

Join Mark Rees (author of Paranormal Wales/ Ghosts of Wales) as he explores the old New Year's Eve and New Year's Day traditions, from such curious customs as the Mari Lwyd to seasonal favourite Calennig.

Is it good luck or bad luck if a you see a woman before a man on New Year's Day? Press play to find out...

Happy new Year/ blwyddyn newydd dda!

What is the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees podcast?

In early 2020, Mark Rees launched the world’s first podcast dedicated to Welsh ghost stories, folklore, myths and legends.

By combining his unique research and insights from many books and articles with long-lost tales from dusty old tomes, this weird and wonderful podcast takes a fascinating look at countless curious subjects.

New episodes are uploaded every Thursday, and feature everything from real-life encounters with pesky poltergeists to fantastical beasts from the Mabinogion and the skulled-headed Christmas favourite herself, the Mari Lwyd.

Be sure to subscribe, and for more details and to get in touch with Mark Rees, please visit:

• Mark Rees homepage
• Mark Rees on social media
• Books by Mark Rees
• Ghosts of Wales

EP30 Curious Christmas Folklore of Wales: Christmas Eve and Day traditions and customs, from kissing under the mistletoe and light-filled Plygain services to Sion Corn (Santa Claus) and the Mari Lwyd

It's Christmas Eve - the perfect time to pull up a chair next to the log fire, pour yourself a glass of mulled wine and listen to some old folklore of Wales.

In this festive special, Mark Rees takes a look at:

• Why kissing under the mistletoe isn't just about the romance

• The incredible Plygain services, in which countless candles are used to illuminate the night

• How the town of Tenby ensured nobody had a lie-in on Christmas Day

• A return of the horse-skulled Mari Lwyd

• And even revealing Father Christmas's first name... well, maybe!

For some of the answers - and even more questions - press play and join Mark Rees for the latest special festive episode of the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales podcast with Mark Rees.

Merry Christmas / Nadolig llawen! 

Christmas on the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees podcast

Christmas is a magical time for Welsh folklore and ghost stories, and every Thursday during December there'll be a special episode of the podcast dedicated to a festive subject.

There include such folkloric favourites like the Mari Lwyd, to haunted pubs where the spooks make an appearance every December 24.

Be sure to check out each episode on December 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 - yes, there'll even be new episodes of Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

What is the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees podcast?

Join Mark Rees (author of Ghosts of Wales/ Paranormal Wales etc.) as he explores the weird and wonderful history of Wales.

The world’s first podcast dedicated to Welsh ghost stories, folklore, myths and legends, GHOSTS & FOLKLORE OF WALES combines Mark’s research and insights from his books and articles with long-lost tales from some ancient tomes into a truly unique podcast experience.

New episodes are uploaded every Thursday, and feature everything from real-life encounters with pesky poltergeists to the fantastical beasts from the Mabinogion, 

Be sure to subscribe, and for more details and to get in touch with Mark Rees, please visit:

• Mark Rees homepage
• Mark Rees on social media
• Books by Mark Rees
• Ghosts of Wales podcast

EP29 The Magical Christmas Tree… and a few ghosts!: The curious tale of a tree that blossomed in a west Wales garden every Christmas Eve, and some gothic ghost stories to go with it

Welsh folklore tells us that on Christmas Eve, a magical Christmas tree would spring to life in the garden of a west Wales mansion.

What was its supernatural purpose, and where did it come from? And more to the point, where is it now?

The old tales tell us that the tree was destroyed, but that isn't the whole story.

In fact, there could be a lot more to the tale of this tree than just folklore, and it could even still be active to this day, if you know where to look.

But beware - in true Christmas tradition, this is also a ghost story, and there are some who believe that spirits roam the very same garden in which the tree once stood...

For some of the answers - and even more questions - press play and join Mark Rees for the latest special festive episode of the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales podcast with Mark Rees.

Merry Christmas / Nadolig llawen! 

Christmas on the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees podcast

Christmas is a magical time for Welsh folklore and ghost stories, and every Thursday during December there'll be a special episode of the podcast dedicated to a festive subject.

There include such folkloric favourites like the Mari Lwyd, to haunted pubs where the spooks make an appearance every December 24.

Be sure to check out each episode on December 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 - yes, there'll even be new episodes of Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

What is the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees podcast?

Join Mark Rees (author of Ghosts of Wales/ Paranormal Wales etc.) as he explores the weird and wonderful history of Wales.

The world’s first podcast dedicated to Welsh ghost stories, folklore, myths and legends, GHOSTS & FOLKLORE OF WALES combines Mark’s research and insights from his books and articles with long-lost tales from some ancient tomes into a truly unique podcast experience.

New episodes are uploaded every Thursday, and feature everything from real-life encounters with pesky poltergeists to the fantastical beasts from the Mabinogion, 

Be sure to subscribe, and for more details and to get in touch with Mark Rees, please visit:

• Mark Rees homepage
• Mark Rees on social media
• Books by Mark Rees
• Ghosts of Wales podcast

EP28 A Ghost Story for Christmas Eve; or, Festive Spirits at the Inn: A real-life tale of paranormal activity at a Welsh town’s “most haunted” pub on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

There is a Welsh pub which is said to be haunted by many ghosts, which range from the good old "lady in black" to a "headless cavalier."

They are, for most part, seemingly harmless enough, but on Christmas Eve a more troublesome phantom - a pesky poltergeist, you might say - has been known to cause mischief at the Castle Hotel in Neath.

This spirit - of the supernatural variety, rather than the alcoholic - has been reported on more than one occasion, and by multiple witnesses.

What is causing such a commotion on what should be a holy night, when nothing stirs, not even a mouse?

For some answers - and probably even more questions - please join your host Mark Rees (author of Ghosts of Wales etc.) for a special festive episode of the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales podcast with Mark Rees.

Merry Christmas / Nadolig llawen! 

Christmas on the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees podcast

Christmas is a magical time for Welsh folklore and ghost stories, and every Thursday during December there'll be a new special episode of this podcast dedicated to a festive subject.

These include such folkloric favourites as the Mari Lwyd, a haunted pubs and even a magical Christmas tree.

Be sure to check out each episode on December 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 - yes, there'll even be new episodes of Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve!

What is the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees podcast?

Join Mark Rees (author of Ghosts of Wales/ Paranormal Wales etc.) as he explores the weird and wonderful history of Wales.

The world’s first podcast dedicated to Welsh ghost stories, folklore, myths and legends, GHOSTS & FOLKLORE OF WALES combines Mark’s research and insights from his books and articles with long-lost tales from some ancient tomes into a truly unique podcast experience.

New episodes are uploaded every Thursday, and feature everything from real-life encounters with pesky poltergeists to the fantastical beasts from the Mabinogion, 

Be sure to subscribe, and for more details and to get in touch with Mark Rees, please visit:

• Mark Rees homepage
• Mark Rees on social media
• Books by Mark Rees
• Ghosts of Wales

EP27 Mari Lwyd, the Welsh Christmas “Ghost Horse”: Secret history and folklore of the “bone horse” of Wales, a peculiar custom in which a horse’s skull disturbs people late at night for beer and cake

The Mari Lwyd is arguably the most well-known character in Welsh folklore.

But why do people carry a horse's skull door-to-door late at night, and challenge their neighbours to a battle in verse?

In a similar way to Krampus, the Central European "evil Santa", and Gryla, the Icelandic troll, this curious Christmas custom fascinates people around the world.

In this special festive episode of the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales podcast, author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) goes in search of some long-lost answers in the Welsh folklore archives.

He looks at:

• What happens if the Mari Lwyd gains entry to your house, and how can you pacify it?
• Does the skull hide a much darker meaning, and could it really be known as the Grey Death?
• What connection does it have with Christianity and the Virgin Mary?
• Are its origins linked with ancient Celtic beliefs in death and rebirth?
• And most importantly - does it really terrify people just to get beer and cake?

Merry Christmas / Nadolig llawen! 

Christmas on the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees podcast

Christmas is a magical time for Welsh folklore and ghost stories, and every Thursday during December there'll be a special episode of the podcast dedicated to a festive subject.

There include such folkloric favourites like the Mari Lwyd, haunted pubs where the spooks make an appearance every December 24, and even a magical Christmas Tree.

Be sure to check out each episode on December 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 - yes, there'll even be new episodes of Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

What is the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees podcast?

Join Mark Rees (author of Ghosts of Wales/ Paranormal Wales etc.) as he explores the weird and wonderful history of Wales.

The world’s first podcast dedicated to Welsh ghost stories, folklore, myths and legends, GHOSTS & FOLKLORE OF WALES combines Mark’s research and insights from his books and articles with long-lost tales from some ancient tomes into a truly unique podcast experience.

New episodes are uploaded every Thursday, and feature everything from real-life encounters with pesky poltergeists to the fantastical beasts from the Mabinogion, 

Be sure to subscribe, and for more details and to get in touch with Mark Rees, please visit:

• Mark Rees homepage
• Mark Rees on social media
• Books by Mark Rees
• Ghosts of Wales

EP26 Ghost Hunting in Wales’ “Most Haunted” Places: Paranormal investigators Cymru Paranormal reveal what it’s REALLY like to search for the supernatural in some of the spookiest Welsh locations

What is it REALLY like to go ghost hunting in Wales' "most haunted" places?

To find out, Mark Rees (author of Ghosts of Wales) caught up with fully-trained paranormal investigators Cymru Paranormal to learn not just how to track down the paranormal, but how to do it ethically. 

What are their scariest experiences? What equipment do you need for an overnight vigil? Do they use Ouija boards? And is it anything like the ghost-hunting TV shows and spooky movies that we see on our screens?

For some of the answers - and even more questions - listen to the latest episode of the Ghosts & Folklore podcast!

What is the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees podcast?

In early 2020, Mark Rees launched the world’s first podcast dedicated to Welsh ghost stories, folklore, myths and legends.

By combining Mark’s research and insights from his books and articles with long-lost tales from dusty old tomes, this weird and wonderful podcast takes a unique look at countless curious subjects.

New episodes are uploaded every Thursday, and feature everything from real-life encounters with pesky poltergeists to fantastical beasts from the Mabinogion and the skulled-headed Christmas favourite herself, the Mari Lwyd.

Be sure to subscribe, and for more details and to get in touch with Mark Rees, please visit:

• Mark Rees homepage
• Mark Rees on social media
• Books by Mark Rees
• Ghosts of Wales

EP25 The Secret Islands of the Faeries: How the fairies of Wales are connected to King Arthur, why they are called y Tylwyth Teg, and more Welsh folklore about the fair folk who haunted the forests

Welsh folklore tells us that the fairy folk of Wales can be traced back to the times of King Arthur.

But what connection do they have with the legendary island of Avalon, and why are they called y Tylwyth Teg in Welsh?

Join Mark Rees (author of "Ghosts of Wales"/ "Paranormal Wales" etc.) as he explores these questions and more in this episode of the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales podcast.

Do you believe in the fairy folk? Listen to this podcast before making your mind up!

What is the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees podcast?

In early 2020, Mark Rees launched the world’s first podcast dedicated to Welsh ghost stories, folklore, myths and legends.

By combining Mark’s research and insights from his books and articles with long-lost tales from dusty old tomes, this weird and wonderful podcast takes a unique look at countless curious subjects.

New episodes are uploaded every Thursday, and feature everything from real-life encounters with pesky poltergeists to fantastical beasts from the Mabinogion, 

Be sure to subscribe, and for more details and to get in touch with Mark Rees, please visit:

• Mark Rees homepage
• Mark Rees on social media
• Books by Mark Rees
• Ghosts of Wales

EP24 The Cursed Room at Wales’ National Stadium: How a jinx caused rugby and football teams to lose games at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, and the Welsh artist-turned-exorcist who banished the ghosts

Can the changing room of a sports stadium really be jinxed? And did it really cause team after team to continuously lose important games?

That's exactly what was claimed to be happening at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, when more than 10 English football league teams in a row (along with a few rugby teams) lost major games after being stationed in the dreaded south changing room.

The odds that so many teams could miss out on the glory of winning the FA Cup, league cup and promotion finals were starting to look increasingly unlikely, and when they went beyond 8,000/1 it was decided that something had to be done.

In order to exorcise the curse, stadium chiefs turned to an unlikely kind of exorcist - the world's richest painter.

Yes, the world's richest painter was drafted in to save the day and to work his magic with a paint brush, rather than a cross and the Bible.

Did it work? All is revealed on episode 24 of the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees podcast!

What is the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees podcast?

In early 2020, Mark Rees launched the world’s first podcast dedicated to Welsh ghost stories, folklore, myths and legends.

By combining Mark’s research and insights from his books and articles with long-lost tales from dusty old tomes, this weird and wonderful podcast takes a unique look at countless curious subjects.

New episodes are uploaded every Thursday, and feature everything from real-life encounters with pesky poltergeists to fantastical beasts from the Mabinogion, 

Be sure to subscribe, and for more details and to get in touch with Mark Rees, please visit:

• Mark Rees homepage
• Mark Rees on social media
• Books by Mark Rees
• Ghosts of Wales