Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, Vanessa Hogle released her latest book, Ghosts Abroad Ireland. This was a unique look into the hauntings of Southern Ireland. It’s filled with “hole in the wall” haunted places that stray from the beaten path. Meaning, you’re not going to read about popular haunted hot spots in this book. Honestly? It’s very refreshing. I enjoy reading about the famous haunted locations. Yet, there’s something about reading about new spots that reinvigorate my love for paranormal research.

Vanessa has abilities. Her use of language draws you into what it’s like for her as a medium and a paranormal researcher. Also, if you have a love for travel, Vanessa will make you feel like you’re walking alongside her through these small Southern Irish towns. You’ll feel the claustrophobia with her as she explored Oweynagat, better known as “Cave of the Cats.” You’ll feel like you’re covered in the cave’s ancient clay with her!

Accompanied by her friend Gwen Clapper, she encounters differents types of spirits throughout her journey. Soon, you start to understand the dynamics of the hauntings in Ireland. You also realize that most of the world hasn’t been told the entire story of the Great Famine, which took place between 1845-1852. The misinformation and the trauma and the leftover energy of these events tie it all together into a unique type of haunting that we might not ever see in the United States.

Reading this book made me realize that there is a lot that we still don’t know about Irish history. Well, if you’re local to the town, you probably know the corrupt history of places like Tuam, Ireland. But the rest of the world doesn’t. Vanessa powerfully makes this point as she talks about the corrupt and distorted nature of Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home. And these were not practices dating back to the 1800s, this was the 20th century.

Finally, I appreciate how Vanessa eloquently shared the stories of these Irish towns without coming across as exploitative. She also laid down boundaries as to where she and Gwen would investigate. Some locations, like Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, should not be investigated and instead, remembered. This was incredibly powerful to me. Because really, some places should just be acknowledged, validated, and remembers. This is especially true in places where the horrific history was swept under the rug.

You can grab a copy of Ghosts Abroad Ireland on Amazon.