Whispering Stones

Whispering Stones

By Bernice CookeHistory
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Whispering Stones episodes

  • Holycross Abbey, County Tipperary: The Sacred Relic, Medieval Pilgrims and a Remarkable Restoration

    Join Bernice Cooke on Whispering Stones for a fortnightly journey into Ireland's fascinating history, forgotten places and remarkable ruins.


    In this episode, we travel to the beautiful countryside of County Tipperary to discover Holycross Abbey, one of Ireland's most treasured medieval religious sites.

    Founded in 1182 by King Donal O'Brien of Thomond, Holycross Abbey has a fascinating history spanning centuries. Discover the story of the sacred relic of the True Cross, brought to Ireland by Queen Isabella of Angoulême, and learn how the Abbey became an important destination for medieval pilgrims.


    We'll explore its connections to the powerful Butler family, the pilgrimage of Hugh Roe O'Donnell, the tragic story of Blessed Dermot O'Hurley and the turbulent years of the Protestant Reformation.

    But the story doesn't end with the Abbey's decline. Discover how a remarkable community-led restoration project, beginning in 1971, brought this magnificent historic building back to life, allowing it to become a place of worship once again.

    From royal foundations and medieval devotion to religious persecution, stolen relics and an extraordinary restoration, Holycross Abbey has centuries of stories waiting to be told.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    10 min
  • Fethard, Tipperary: Discover Ireland’s Best-Preserved Medieval Town Walls
    Join Bernice Cooke on Whispering Stones for a fortnightly journey into Ireland’s fascinating past. In this episode, we travel to Fethard, County Tipperary, a remarkable medieval walled town on the banks of the Clashawley River.


    Discover the story behind Fethard’s exceptionally well-preserved medieval town walls, explore its Norman origins, royal charters and Augustinian friary, and uncover the turbulent history of the town during the 17th century, including the campaigns of Oliver Cromwell.


    From the powerful Everard family to the decline of the town’s medieval buildings, Fethard has many stories to tell. With over 90% of its original town walls surviving, this historic Tipperary town offers a fascinating glimpse into Ireland’s medieval heritage.Join me as we uncover the history, heritage and hidden stories of one of Ireland’s remarkable historic towns.Keep listening to those stones, for they have so much to offer!Slán,Bernice Cooke

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    7 min
  • Donaghmore Church: Whispers from Medieval Tipperary
    Join artist and writer Bernice Cooke for a journey off the beaten path to Donaghmore Church in County Tipperary. Explore the ruins of this 12th-century Romanesque church, the story of St. Farranan, medieval stone carvings, and the legendary Irish craftsman An Gobán Saor. Discover the history, folklore and hidden heritage whispered by the stones of South Tipperary.#WhisperingStones #DonaghmoreChurch #CountyTipperary #IrishHistory #IrishHeritage #MedievalIreland #AnGobanSaor #IrelandTravel #HiddenIreland

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    4 min
  • Clonmel: Martyrs, Cromwell & the Walled Town
    Join Bernice Cooke for a short and entertaining journey through Clonmel, County Tipperary.
    Discover the medieval walled town, Old St Mary’s Church, the West Gate, the story of Catholic martyr Fr Muiris Mac Ionrachtaigh, Cromwell’s siege of Clonmel, Fr William Tirry, the Young Irelanders and the founding of the Irish Labour Party.
    From the River Suir to Clonmel Gaol and the Main Guard, discover some of the hidden history and fascinating stories behind this historic Tipperary town.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    9 min
  • Clonamicklon Castle: The Butler Fortress Hidden in Tipperary
    In this episode of Whispering Stones, Bernice Cooke travels to south-east County Tipperary to explore the atmospheric ruins of Clonamicklon Castle.
    Built by a branch of the powerful Butler family in the late 16th century, this fortified house, bawn and flanker towers offer a remarkable glimpse into Ireland's medieval and early modern past.
    Discover the Butler connection, the castle's defensive architecture, its hidden passages, garderobes, musket loops and wall walks — and why this fascinating Tipperary castle remains quietly embedded within a working farm.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    9 min
  • The Rock of Cashel: Kings, Saints & Stories from Ireland’s Golden Vale
    Perched dramatically above the lush pastures of Ireland’s Golden Vale, the Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland’s most remarkable historic sites.
    In this episode of Whispering Stones, Bernice Cooke takes us to Cashel, County Tipperary, exploring its fascinating history from the ancient Kings of Munster and the Eóganachta dynasty to Saint Patrick, Brian Boru, medieval Ireland and the Synod of Cashel.


    Discover the stories, legends and turbulent events that shaped this extraordinary Irish town, including royal power, religious rivalry, war and the dramatic history of the Rock itself.Join Bernice for a short and entertaining journey through Irish history, heritage, myths and legends — and discover why Cashel became known as the “City of Kings.”

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    8 min
  • Carrick-on-Suir: Castles, Cromwell & the Witch of Tipperary
    Whispering Stones journeys to Carrick-on-Suir, one of County Tipperary's most historic towns.
    Discover Ormond Castle, the mighty Butler dynasty, Cromwell's conquest, the River Suir's bustling trading past and the famous Carrick Knot. Then stay for one of Ireland's strangest Victorian court cases—the mysterious story of Mary Doheny, remembered as the Witch of Carrick-on-Suir.
    Was she a cunning fraudster or simply a woman ahead of her time? Join Bernice Cooke as history and folklore intertwine beside the River Suir.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    16 min
  • Burncourt Castle: The Irish Castle That Burned Twice? | County Tipperary History
    Travel to the haunting ruins of Burncourt Castle (Everard's Castle) in County Tipperary, one of Ireland's most intriguing forgotten castles.
    Discover the powerful Everard family, the Irish Rebellion of 1641, Cromwell's campaign through Ireland, the legend of Lady Catherine setting the castle ablaze, and the mysterious cattle-bone foundation sacrifice uncovered during archaeological excavations.
    Join Bernice Cooke for another short, engaging journey through Ireland's hidden history on Whispering Stones.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    6 min
  • Brittas Castle, County Tipperary | Ireland's Unfinished Medieval Revival Castle
    Ireland is filled with ruined castles, but few have a story quite like Brittas Castle in County Tipperary.
    In this episode of Whispering Stones, Bernice Cooke explores the remarkable history of Ireland's finest unfinished Medieval Revival castle.
    Discover the visionary architect William Vitruvius Morrison, the Langley family, the tragic accident that ended construction, and why this extraordinary Gothic fortress still stands surrounded by its working moat almost two centuries later.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    5 min
  • Ballynakill Castle, County Tipperary | Ireland's Forgotten Fortified House
    Journey to the hidden ruins of Ballynakill Castle in County Tipperary, one of Ireland's most unusual fortified houses.
    In this episode of Whispering Stones, Bernice Cooke explores the history of this remarkable Butler stronghold near Roscrea, its impressive 17th-century architecture, vast defensive bawn walls, and the families who once called it home.
    Discover the stories behind one of Ireland's finest surviving bawns and a castle now slowly reclaimed by nature.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    4 min

About Whispering Stones

From the publisher's feed

The buildings that we don't know about, the History that didn't feature in our School books. Irish history, local history, the people, the places, the stories.Whispering their stories as we walk…