Ghosts and Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees

EP85 The Haunted Castle and the Hanged Man: A Gothic ruin steeped in lore is the visited by an uncanny visitor - Explore the ghosts of Carmarthen on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

When ghost hunters explore a "haunted" castle in Carmarthenshire they uncover an old mystery that leads to a gruesome tale of a man hanged on a nearby hill.
Spooks and spectres had long been reported in the mystical streets of Carmarthen, home of Arthurian wizard Merlin, but by the late Victorian age they were starting to fade away.
When a group of curious reporters decide to go on a night-time paranormal investigation to see what spooky stories remain, they discover that not all of the ghosts and goblins have disappeared at the ruins of Castell Moel (Greencastle).
Join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he joins a team of 19th century Welsh reporters to explore this historical landmark on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast... if you dare!
 
 
What is the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees podcast?
The "Ghosts and Folklore of Wales" podcast explores Welsh ghost stories, lore, myths and legends.
Launched by author and journalist Mark Rees in early 2020, this weird and wonderful podcast takes a fascinating look at the country's countless curious subjects by combining decades of research and insights from many books and articles with long-lost tales from dusty old tomes.
Ranging from "real life" encounters with the uncanny to fantastical tales from the Mabinogion, new episodes are uploaded on Thursdays (weekly most of the time, biweekly when book and media deadlines are looming) and feature everything from pesky poltergeists to fire-breathing dragons.
Along with the regular stories you can also expect the odd special guest, an occasional "live" ghost hunt, and all sorts of crazy ideas. Seasonal specials include the dark and Gothic Halloween (Nos Calan Gaeaf) traditions of old, to everyone's favourite skulled-skulled Christmas visitor, the Mari Lwyd herself.
Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a spooky episode, 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

EP84 The Wives of Hell: The Gwragedd Annwn are ferocious fighting female fairies that haunt lonely Welsh lakes like mermaids - Explore the fairy folk lore on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

The Gwragedd Annwn are some of the more terrifying fairy folk to lurk in wilds of Wales.
These ferocious fighting female fairies haunt the lonely Welsh lakes and streams, and are known in English as the wives of hell or the wives of the otherworld.
Like feisty freshwater mermaids, these tylwyth teg are not to be messed with, as some have discovered the hard way.
Join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he explores the fascinating history and folklore of the Gwragedd Annwn on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast... if you dare!
 
 
What is the Ghosts and 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 Mabinogi, to dark and Gothic Halloween/ Nos Calan Gaeaf traditions to 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

EP83 The Ghost of a Death Omen: A harbinger of death takes a man on a strange journey at the witching hour in this real-life tale - Explore the lore on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

Seeing a death omen is usually a quick, fleeting affair, but in this weird real-life ghost story it is far more intense experience.
A death omen, in its simplest form, is a supernatural sign that somebody is not going to be on this earth much longer. In Wales, one of the more popular death omens is the corpse candle (y canwyll corff), a light which, much like the will-o’-the-wisp, floats in the darkness and glows a blue light.
But in this tale, a much more unusual death omen makes an appearance, a man-shaped omen that takes its victim away on a strange adventure.
What does it all mean? Join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he explores the fascinating history and folklore of Wales on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast... if you dare!
 
 
What is the Ghosts and 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 Mabinogi, to dark and Gothic Halloween/ Nos Calan Gaeaf traditions to 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

EP82 The Endless Christmas Party: Curious festive customs in Victorian Wales with music, carols and the Mari Lwyd. Explore the history of the ”Land of Song” on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

In Victorian Wales, the 12 Days of Christmas became the 12 Days of Carnage for some, with a little too much merriment leading to fisticuffs and debauchery.
At the heart of the festivities was music, and it was during this period that Wales became known as the "Land of Song." There were mummers and Christmas carol singers in the streets, and a certain horse-skulled creature called the Mari Lwyd.
But there was a fierce rivalry among the musicians to match any sporting rivalry, and the as bell ringers, waits and singers all fought it out - quite literally in some cases - to find the best music makers in Wales.
Get in the festive mood with author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he explores the fascinating history and folklore of Wales on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast... if you dare!
 
 
What is the Ghosts and 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 Mabinogi, to dark and Gothic Halloween/ Nos Calan Gaeaf traditions to 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

EP81 Ghost Stories for Christmas: Festive spirits haunt the wilds of Wales in these real-life tales of paranormal activity in Cymru on Christmas Eve - Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

One of the best Christmas traditions is telling creepy ghost stories by candlelight, but unlike the tales of Charles Dickens and M.R. James, what if these spooky yarns were not works of fiction, but real-life tales of terror?
In one tale, a wife heads out into the wilds of Wales one chilly Christmas Eve in search of her missing husband, but finds something far more terrifying.
In another, a family ghost appears every festive season with a warning from beyond the grave. But what does it all mean?
For all the spooky answers join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he explores these eerie paranormal encounters on  Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast... if you dare!
 
 
What is the Ghosts and 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 Mabinogi, to dark and Gothic Halloween/ Nos Calan Gaeaf traditions to 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

EP80 Mysteries of the Mari Lwyd: The Welsh ”Christmas Horse” goes from folk favourite to folk horror in Victorian Wales. Explore the lore and history on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

Explore Wales’s weird and wonderful Christmastime tradition, the festive "bone horse" that is the Mari Lwyd!
The Mari Lwyd is a curious custom which sees a hobby horse-like like creature challenge people to a battle in verse - what some call a "rap battle" - and, if victorious, enters their home to eat their cakes and ale.
But what began as a good-natured folk tradition soon descended into one of chaotic folk horror, and as we discover on this episode, it got so out of hand that the Mari Lwyd was outlawed.
Join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he explores the mysteries of the Mari Lwyd on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast... if you dare!
 
 
What is the Ghosts and 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 Mabinogi, to dark and Gothic Halloween/ Nos Calan Gaeaf traditions to 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

EP79 Spirits of the Living: Apparitions of people still alive have long been sighted, but why? Explore some creepy ”real life” paranormal cases on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast!

Ghosts of the living come in all shapes and sizes, from lost souls minding their own business to stone-hurling poltergeists.
But what does it mean to see a spirit, of somebody who is still alive?
In this creepy collection of "real life" paranormal encounters, they are seen in the middle of the day and the dead of night, some with messages, and some with somewhere to get to, and some who simply vanish into thin air.
Join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he explores several such reports on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast... if you dare!
 
 
What is the Ghosts and 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 Mabinogi, to dark and Gothic Halloween/ Nos Calan Gaeaf traditions to 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

EP78 The Well of Evil: Witchcraft, tormented spirits, and creepy horror-film like wraiths lurk in the ”most haunted” lore-filled Welsh wells - Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

There's witchcraft, tormented spirits, curses, the well of evil and even a bit of good old-fashioned Wicker Man style paganism in this episode of watery folklore.
These tales concern the folklore of wells, a source of water for centuries which could be used for good and bad magic.
In some cases, a Pagan tradition could be used to summon rain in times of drought. But in other cases, a lost soul appears to be damned inside and calls for help.
Join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he explores the weird wells of Wales on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast... if you dare!
 
 
What is the Ghosts and 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 Mabinogi, to dark and Gothic Halloween/ Nos Calan Gaeaf traditions to 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

EP77 The Magic Circle and the Spirit from Hell: A man of God is accused of summoning demons in the Welsh forest. Has the Reverend made a pact with the Devil? - Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

A man of God is accused by his fellow reverends of making a pact with the Devil in return for supernatural powers.
According to the tale, he would sneak off into the forest and summon evil spirits in a magic circle, and on one fateful night of conjuring it backfired on him and his co-conspirators. 
Is there any truth to this tale of a holy man turning to the dark side and committing the ultimate sin? And if so, what powers did he receive in return?
Join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he explores this diabolical case on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast... if you dare!
 
 
What is the Ghosts and 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 Mabinogi, to dark and Gothic Halloween/ Nos Calan Gaeaf traditions to 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

EP76 Wales‘ ”Most Haunted” National Trust Property: A ghost tour at Newton House, Dinefwr captures ”paranormal activity” after dark on Halloween/ Nos Calan Gaeaf - Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

Dare you go on a "live" ghost tour at Wales's "most haunted" National Trust property?
On Halloween, Mark Rees joined Ronnie - Wales' finest spooky tour guide - and a gang of unsuspecting members of the public for a creepy night to remember at Newton House, Dinefwr.
Sitting in the heart of a medieval deer park near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, the property is said to be not only the NT's "most haunted" Welsh location, but their fourth in all the UK, and the grand manor house has a long and colourful history.
During this tour strange sights are seen and strange sounds are recorded, including bangs, scratches and music from closed-off rooms.
Is this evidence of paranormal activity at the property steeped in Welsh folklore and legend, or could there be a more mundane explanation? 
Make up your own mind by joining author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) on a ghost hunt as he spends Nos Calan Gaeaf exploring Newton House's Gothic surrounds on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast... if you dare!
 
 
What is the Ghosts and 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 Mabinogi, to dark and Gothic Halloween/ Nos Calan Gaeaf traditions to 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