Ghosts and Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees

EP71 The First Welsh Jack-o‘-Lantern: A Halloween special exploring the origin of ”Jack y Lantern” in an old folk tale of devils, demons and a lost spirit - Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

Halloween wouldn't be Halloween with a grinning jack-o'-lantern, but did you know that it was once far more sinister than a finely carved pumpkin?
Nothing encapsulates Nos Calan Gaeaf - as we call Halloween in Wales - like the flickering face of a finely-carved lantern. But unlike the modern-day pumpkin which can be seen carried by trick or treaters, it was considered to be an all-too-real "dreaded ghost" which led people to their doom in the dark forests at harvest time.
Its origins can be traced back to an old Welsh folk tale in which the Devil is outwitted by a particularly crafty Welshman, but who pays a heavy price for his dealings with Satan.
On this Halloween special, author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) explores the true horror behind the Welsh "Jack y Lantern" on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast.
 
 
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 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

EP70 Trapped Spirits & Hidden Treasure: A trio of ”real-life” ghost stories in which restless souls haunt the living in some of Wales‘s ”most haunted” - Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

Explore three creepy "real-life" accounts of restless spirits who seemingly can’t rest in peace until their hidden treasure has been discovered.
There are countless tales of people being asked – or scared, rather – into helping unwanted visitors find their treasure so they can rest in peace and, in return, the living can return to living in peace as well.
Some are these tales sound like folk tales, while others are taken more seriously, and in some cases cause great distress to those involved. 
On this episode, author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) he goes on a ghost hunt and examines three such cases involving "white ladies" and more on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast.
 
 
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 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

EP69 The Poltergeist Fairies; or, the Welsh Hobgoblin: Naughty but nice, the Bwbach is a household fairy (tylwyth teg) that causes paranormal mayhem in the home - Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

What happens when a fairy turns nasty? It becomes something of a poltergeist!
On this episode of the Ghosts and Folklore podcast, explore the dual nature of the Bwbach, the Welsh hobgoblin with ghost-like powers which, on the one hand, was a nice, helpful, happy household fairy but, on the other, could quickly transform into a terrifying phantom.
So terrifying, in fact, that it could scare people away from their homes and, and in some extreme cases, attack them and drive them to an early grave.
Join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he goes on a hunt in search of these mischievous creatures on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast.
 
 
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 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

EP68 The White Lady of Oystermouth Castle: Does a white lady ghost haunt one of Wales‘ ”most haunted” castles? Let‘s go on a paranormal investigation on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

Does the ghost of a lady in white really haunt one of Wales's "most haunted" castles?
When darkness falls on Oystermouth Castle, one of Swansea’s more mysterious inhabitants emerges from the shadows to peer out over the village of Mumbles. And, if you believe the tales, she can even be summoned in a similar way to saying Candyman or Beetlejuice more times that it is safe to do so.
But who is this white lady, and who has see her?
Join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he goes on a ghost hunt in search of the White Lady herself by exploring the history, legends, and first-hand accounts of paranormal activity on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast.
 
 
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 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

EP67 A Victorian Séance: There‘s table tipping, corpse candles, and deathlike fingers in this real-life account of a visit to a psychic spirit medium in Swansea - Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

When corpse candles and deathlike fingers materialise during a séance in Swansea, is it the work of spirits of the dead, or is something else going on?
In this real-life account of a 19th century séance, a group of friends visit a spirit medium for what they believe will be a little light entertainment.
But the paranormal activity spirals out of control, and soon they find themselves trapped in a waking nightmare.
With tables (and heads) being banged, lights in the air, music being played and people screaming and fainting, what was really going on in the darkened room seemingly fizzling with psychic activity?
Join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he recreates this first-hand account of a séance gone wrong on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast.
Is there anybody there?
 
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 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

EP66 The Giant‘s Body: When a fairy-eating giant and wicked witch invade a happy Welsh valley, it quickly become a valley of horror in this traditional folk tale - Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

Did an old folk tale of a wicked witch and an evil giant really lead to the discovery of coal in the Welsh valleys?
In this traditional story, a shadow is cast over a once-happy fairy-filled valley when a giant arrives to eat all of the small inhabitants. Their only chance of survival is to kill their unwelcome visitor, but that just poses an even bigger problem - how do you dispose of the rotting body of a giant?
Join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) for a fantastical trip to Gilfach Fargoed in search of the giant's body on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast.
 
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 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

EP65 Restless Spirits and Fairy Folk: What happens when you stop believing in fairies but their paranormal activity continues? You blame poltergeists & phantoms - Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

When people stopped believing in fairies, how could they explain the paranormal activity that continued?
In the early 20th century, belief in the existence of fairies in Wales has almost died out. But the belief in ghosts and spirits had not, and that that belief in death omens in particular, such as the corpse candles and phantom funerals, remained ‘rather popular, even among educated people’.
But if people were no longer believing in fairies, what were these supposed phantoms and poltergeists, and what did they want?
Join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) for a spine-chilling adventure on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast.
 
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 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

EP64 The Evil Spirit Strikes Back: When paranormal activity destroys a Welsh home, is it the work of a poltergeist, a curse, or just local lore? Find out on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

Can poltergeist activity really destroy a building, or is it just local lore?
When objects started moving of their own accord on a Welsh farm, it was assumed an evil spirit was at work.
But following a botched exorcism there was no stopping its destruction, which including first destroying the contents of a building, followed by the building itself.
Could this all have been the work of a single poltergeist, or was there something else at work? A local folk tale claims the property is cursed and, with the curse seemingly coming true, many assumed that it was more than a coincidence.
For all of the terrifying details, join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he explores the real-life case of the evil spirit on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast.
 
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 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

EP63 Haunted Rivers: Wailing spirits, monstrous serpents, bottomless pits and the devil in disguise - explore the strange legends of the Welsh waterways on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

Dare you swim in the spirit-filled waterways of Wales?
They might look calm and serene from land, but the rivers of Wales are steeped in accounts of strange creatures and trapped souls.
There's the apparition of a wailing woman seen up and down the River Severn, the Taff whirlpool which is said to be the work of a giant serpent, and the unusual case of an image of the Virgin Mary being put on trial near the River Dee.
Join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he explores the weird and wonderful tales connected to three of Wales' most well-known rivers on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast.
 
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 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

EP62 The Ghost Police: When the police are the ghosts, who ya gonna call? There were no Ghostbusters to deal with paranormal activity in the Swinging Sixties! - Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

What do you do when the ghosts of policemen start patrolling the streets?
That was the problem facing a Welsh town in the Swinging Sixties when late at night the local bobbies were seemingly back on the beat from beyond the grave.
What was happening in Neath that fateful night? Find out more on this "real life" ghost story...
Join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as, following a series of strange coincidences, he goes in search of the Ghost Police on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast.
 
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 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