Ghosts and Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees

EP51 The Golden Ghost: When an ancient burial site is disturbed, eerie secrets are revealed. Let's go ghost hunting in search of a centuries-old spirit on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast!

Is there really a haunted artefact in London's British Museum? And what connection does it have with an ancient Welsh burial site?
The so-called "Golden Ghost" has been sighted in Mold, Flintshire for centuries. But where did it come from, and what does it want?
Believed to be a soldier wearing golden armour, some say it haunts the area after road-building works disturbed its remains. Others say it has been luring people off the beaten track for centuries. Maybe they are all right?
On this episode of the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast, join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he goes in search of the secret history of the golden ghost and the Mold cape.
 
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 the country's 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

EP50 Party with the Fairy Folk: Warning- the fairies of Wales (y tylwyth teg) have been known to prank those who disturb their revelries! Find out more on episode 50 of the Ghosts and Folklore podcast

Warning: don't disturb the fairy folk as they party by night!
The fairy folk of Wales (y tylwyth teg) don't take kindly to being interrupted by nosy humans.
In these cautionary tales, find out exactly how they react when curious people get a little too close to their merrymaking for comfort.
Join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he celebrates 50 episodes of the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast with a party with the fairy folk, and explores some of the pranks they play on unsuspecting victims.
Get the wine and cake, and iechyd da!
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 the country's 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

EP49 For Whom the Bell Tolls: A Gothic funeral tradition that keeps away evil spirits, plague, fairies and the Devil! Explore the mysteries of church bells on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

Can church bells really protect your soul from evil spirits, fairies, trolls, plague, and the Devil himself?
Bells have long been a familiar sight and sound at funerals.
From the passing bell at the head of the procession to the church bells reverberating throughout the graveyard, we've come to expect their incessant ringing on such sombre occasions.
But far from just being a means of breaking the silence at such sad times, there are also countless superstitions attached to these age-old traditions which could prove to be highly beneficial.
Did you know, for example, that they could keep away such supernatural creatures as fairies, trolls, evil spirits and the Devil himself?
For some answers - and a few more questions - join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he explores the folklore surrounding church bells on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast.
He even sneaks in some folklore about stones, and how the "devil stone" was made by a bell-stealing demon!
 
 
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 the country's 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

EP48 Soul Lights, Astral Bodies and Strange Omens: Can the soul really leave the body at will? Is there a link to the corpse candles/ death omens? Find out on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast!

Not all strange glowing balls are corpse candles or death omens - some are the wandering souls of those with scores to settle.
Can a soul really leave the body to complete a task, and then return to the body afterwards when finished?
In these four eerie accounts from Wales and the border with England, strange lights are said to enter homes, attract the attention of ghostly characters, and even fight other lights under the shadow of darkness.
What does it all mean?
Join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he goes in search of the strange "soul lights" on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales 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 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 the country's 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

EP47 The Elf Ladies' Stray Fairy Cow: Magical farm animals emerge from a dark and ominous lake in this cautionary folk tale on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

Warning: don't mess with fairy women, and don't mess with fairy cows!
In this cautionary Welsh folk tale, a greedy farmer finds out the hard way that you shouldn't look a gift horse - or, in this case, a gift cow - in the mouth.
When the dark waters of Llyn Barfog provide him with a cash cow he can't believe his luck. But when madness takes over, and darkness descends... 
To discover all the secrets, join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he explores this fascinating old folk-horror fairy tale on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast.
And remember - don't mess with fairy women or fairy cows!
 
 
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 the country's 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

EP46 Ghost of the Hanged Lady: The tragic tale of a spirit with a message for a heart-broken traveller. It's time to go on a paranormal investigation on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast...

Why does the apparition of a woman return to haunt a love-sick traveller?
In this "real-life" ghost story from 18th century Wales, a man's ill-fated visit to his sweetheart' ends with a "terrifying" encounter with the so-called Hanged Lady.
But this was not an isolated incident - why did she return again and again to haunt him? And how can he end his ordeal?
One person who attempted to solve the riddle was a man of the cloth, but far from solving the case the mystery only deepened when the church man went exploring....
In this extra eerie episode the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast, join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he delves into the case of the Hanged Lady, which was recorded by first-hand accounts centuries ago and has an unexpected twist at the end.
 
 
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 the country's 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

EP45 Folklore of the Sea: Spooky spirit candles, soul-stealing Devils, clairvoyant cats and Davy Jones' Locker - explore the weird and wonderful Welsh coast on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

From nautical corpse candles to swashbuckling Devils, explore the folklore of the high seas on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast.
In times gone by, the brave seafaring men who set sail from Wales needed all the help they could get for a trouble-free voyage. What would the weather be like? Would it be calm sailing? And were there any evil entities in the waves looking to cause them mischief?
In the folklore-packed episode of the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast, author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) explores many an old tradition and superstition, include: feline folklore in which cats could be used to predict the future, the origin of the expression Davy Jones' Locker, defending yourself from evil spirits, how the Devil would sail the seas in search of souls to take back to the underworld, the ghosts who ride the white-waves during stormy weather, and even some handy uses for what Richard Burton described as Welshman's caviar - laverbread.
 
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 the country's 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

EP44 The Haunted Mansion; or, a Cardiff Ghost Story: A lady in grey is one of the many paranormal guests haunting a Victorian house. Let's go ghost hunting on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast!

Who is the mysterious Lady in Grey haunting Victorian Cardiff?
In October 1893, strange events were reported in the village of Tongwynlais. The country house owned of Mr and Mrs Lewis was said to be haunted by many a ghost, including the so-called Lady in Grey who was heard, felt, and even seen - a full body apparition.
Its activity included wrapping her arm around an unsuspecting victim, stomping around in her high-heeled shoes, and there were even accounts of clairvoyance in the home. Luckily, one witness turned ghost hunter and recorded the details for the press.
What does it all mean? It's time to join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) and go on a paranormal investigation on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales 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 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

EP43 Nasty Little Elves: The secret origin of the ellyllon, Wales' mischievous fairy folk, and a folk tale from Cardiff on the Ghosts and Folklore podcast. These are not your Lord of the Rings elves!

The Secret Origins of the Ellyllon, Wales' mischievous fairy folk 
If you think all elves are tall and noble like in a J.R.R. Tolkien Middle Earth book or a Games Workshop Warhammer game, think again!
The ellyllon - Welsh fairy folk - are small and goblin-like, dwelling in misty and sleepy hollows where they can help you make your fortune, or take it away again at the drop of a hat.
But how can you tell them apart from the other fairies, y twylwyth teg?
For all the secrets join journalist and author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) who goes in search of the secret origins of the elves on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast, which includes an old tale discovered in Victorian Cardiff about the elf who helped a down-on-his-lick farmer.
 
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

EP42 The Ghost Ship Mystery: Invisible boats dock at the harbour, while phantom funerals are seen in the graveyard at night. What does it mean? The Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast goes exploring!

Mystery of the Ghost Ship and Phantom Funeral 
The town of Milford Haven is well-known for its harbour.
What might be less well-known are the eerie ghost ships which are said to dock there at night. Oh, and there's also been sightings of a phantom funeral nearby. 
Is there a connection between these two real-life ghost stories?
To find out more, journalist and author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) explores the spooky history of the town, which is also known as a favoured spot of the tylwyth teg, the Welsh fairy folk.
Can you solve the mystery? Press play to tune in to episode 42 of the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast now... if you dare!
 
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