Poor ‘Lucky’, The Black Cat Of Kilakee House: A Tale For St. Patrick’s Day

On the Killakee Road in Dublin, across the road from the site of the original Killakee House, lies the current one – formerly known as The Steward’s House.

It was the site of Ireland’s chapter of the Hell Fire Club (the stories of which are – in typical Irish fashion – exaggerated beyond all credulity: gave a quick potted history of the Hell Fire Club in the review of The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina), a gun battle during Ireland’s two internal wars in the 20th century where to put it bluntly atrocities were the norm, and sundry other atrocious acts down the ages, so it is perhaps no surprise that it is reputed to be haunted.

The best known ghost, however, is that of a very pissed off black cat. When the property was turned into an Arts Centre in the late 60s and early 70s, it appeared, glowering and hissing, and the sight of this larger than normal malevolent feline was enough to cause superstitious builders and joiners to give themselves the sack on the spot. Those who remained were subjected to poltergeist activity which meant a high turnover of the workforce.

Considering Ireland’s economy at that time was up the spout long before the world recession had even started, this was pretty extraordinary. An exorcism only appeared to make matters worse.

There was speculation that the spectre was demonic in origin, but the truth is probably a little more simple, and cruel.

It used to be the case when large buildings were built in the British Isles, a cat would be slaughtered and put into the foundations, or even worse be sealed up alive within the stonework from the absurd belief its ghost would protect the property from evil spirits.

Ireland being more superstitious than the rest of these isles, this barbaric practice lasted well into the 19th century: making it more than likely this ‘lucky’ cat was either within the existing foundations built over, or was included within the stonework of the new building – being so close to where the Hell Fire Club used to hold its meetings may well have prompted the builders to commit this wicked act.

Whatever the case ‘Lucky’ did not take kindly to the renovations (perhaps too close to its final resting place), and the house went through a series of disastrous business ventures before finally revering back to becoming a private dwelling again not open to the public.

Whether ‘Lucky’ is still patrolling the corridors of Kilakee House to make sure no further meddling takes place is a matter only the current owners will know – and they certainly refuse to discuss it.