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Every year on March 17th, people of Irish heritage, along with many others, come together to honor St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. This day is celebrated globally, making it one of the most widely observed national festivals. Ireland's contributions to global culture, cuisine, and beverages are immense and widely recognized.
Yet, Ireland's rich history has also given rise to numerous unsolved mysteries that have puzzled experts, including scientists, historians, and crime investigators, for generations. Here’s a look at ten of the most fascinating Irish mysteries that remain unresolved.
10. St. Brendan’s Voyage to America
While the rhyme says, 'In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue,' claiming he discovered America, history might tell a different story. For those familiar with Irish lore, it wasn’t Columbus or even the Vikings who first reached the Americas. Instead, it was an adventurous 6th-century Irish monk renowned for his seafaring exploits.
Referred to as 'Brendan the Navigator' or fondly as 'St. Brendan' in Ireland, his maritime adventures are documented in the 9th-century text 'Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis' or 'Voyage of St. Brendan the Abbot.' The narrative recounts Brendan and his crew navigating past floating 'pillars of crystal' (likely icebergs) before arriving at a 'promised land' so expansive that they couldn’t traverse its entirety even after '40 days of walking.' Could this have been the North American continent?
In 1983, Harvard marine biologist Barry Fell uncovered petroglyphs in West Virginia inscribed in Ogam script, the ancient Irish alphabet used from the 6th to 8th centuries. Could these have been left by St. Brendan and his crew? Most archaeologists remain skeptical. However, British explorer Tim Severin recreated Brendan’s boat and successfully retraced the monk’s supposed journey in 1977. But did St. Brendan truly achieve this feat? The mystery endures.
9. The Unsolved Murder of William Desmond Taylor
Irish-born filmmaker William Desmond Taylor is largely forgotten today. With a career spanning over sixty films, Taylor directed silent-era icons like Mary Pickford and Wallace Reid. A prominent figure in Hollywood, he was romantically linked to comedy star Mabel Normand and pursued by his 17-year-old protégé, former child actress Mary Miles Minter.
On February 2, 1922, Taylor was discovered shot dead in his luxurious Los Angeles bungalow, leaving behind a web of potential suspects. Was it Mabel Normand, whom he reportedly loved and was helping overcome her cocaine addiction? Or Mary Miles Minter, who allegedly couldn’t accept his rejection? Perhaps Minter’s controlling mother, Charlotte Shelby, who may have harbored feelings for Taylor? Even Taylor’s valet, Henry Peavey, who later died in an asylum from syphilis-related dementia, was a prime suspect.
Even after more than a century, his murder remains an unsolved mystery, baffling both law enforcement and historians to this day.
8. The Mysterious Kidnapping of Shergar
When discussing the greatest racehorses in history, Americans often mention Secretariat, Sea Biscuit, or John Henry. However, for the Irish, Shergar, a stallion born in County Kildare, stands out as one of the fastest thoroughbreds ever. Owned by Aga Khan IV, Shergar had a remarkable 1981 season, securing victories in the 202nd Epsom Derby by a staggering ten lengths and the Irish Sweeps Derby by four lengths.
Two years later, after retiring to Ballymany Stud, Shergar was abducted by an armed group demanding a ransom. When the kidnappers failed to provide proof of the horse’s survival after four days, negotiations collapsed, and Shergar was never seen again.
In 1999, a former IRA member alleged that the organization had stolen Shergar to fund their operations. He also claimed that the horse became uncontrollable during the abduction, severely injuring his leg, which led to his euthanasia. No arrests have ever been made, and Shergar’s remains have never been recovered. In honor of the legendary horse, the Shergar Cup was established in 1999 to celebrate his extraordinary racing legacy.
7. The Disaster of Aer Lingus Flight 712
On March 24, 1968, Aer Lingus Flight 712 took off from Cork, Ireland, heading to London with 61 passengers and crew. Shortly after takeoff, air traffic controllers received a transmission indicating the plane was at '12,000 feet, descending, and spinning rapidly.' By midday, the aircraft had vanished. Despite efforts to contact Captain Bernard O’Beirne, the pilot, London Air Traffic Control initiated a search operation west of Strumble Head, near the Welsh coast.
After an extensive search, wreckage and bodies were found northeast of Tuskar Rock, off the coast of County Wexford, Ireland. Only fourteen bodies were recovered, and there were no survivors. Numerous theories have emerged to explain the tragedy, including a bird strike, structural failure, or even an accidental missile launch from the Aberporth missile station. Despite a two-year investigation and a 2002 review by the Irish Air Accident Investigation Unit, the cause of the crash remains unknown.
6. The Vanishing of Amy Fitzpatrick
On January 1, 2008, 15-year-old Amy Fitzpatrick, originally from Dublin, Ireland, was living in Málaga, Spain, with her family. After babysitting her friend Ashley Rose’s brother, she left to walk home, a short distance away. She vanished without a trace and has never been seen or heard from since. Despite extensive searches and investigations, no clues about her disappearance have ever been found.
In June 2009, Fitzpatrick’s mother received an anonymous call from a man claiming Amy had been kidnapped and was alive in Madrid. He later demanded a ransom of 500,000 euros via text. Both communications were traced to pre-paid phones, but authorities and private investigators were unable to identify the caller or verify his claims. Five years after Amy vanished, her 23-year-old brother Dean was fatally stabbed in Dublin, a crime later classified as manslaughter. The perpetrator? Dave Mahon, Amy’s mother’s boyfriend, who lived with the family at the time of her disappearance, adding another layer of mystery to this unsolved case.
5. The Disappearance of the Irish Elk
What was the largest deer species to ever roam the Earth? While the Alaskan moose, standing up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall and weighing 1800 pounds, is impressive, it falls short of the Irish elk. This Ice Age giant, known scientifically as Megaloceros, reached 2.2 meters (7 feet) at the shoulders and boasted antlers weighing 90 pounds with a span of up to 3.6 meters (12 feet). It is widely regarded as the largest deer species in history.
Sadly, these magnificent creatures vanished around 8,000 years ago, with their most recent skeletal remains found in Western Russia. Named for the numerous fossils discovered in Irish bogs, the extinction of the Irish elk has sparked numerous theories.
The most plausible explanations include their inability to adapt to drastic climate changes during the last ice age and overhunting by early humans. Another intriguing theory suggests their massive antlers hindered their ability to escape predators by navigating forested areas. With modern scientists rumored to be exploring cloning to resurrect the Irish elk, its potential return might shed light on its mysterious extinction.
4. The Mystery of the Blarney Stone
For those who struggle with shyness, Irish folklore offers two solutions to gain the 'gift of gab.' One is to enjoy a pint of Guinness. If that fails, legend says kissing the Blarney Stone will bestow the desired eloquence and wit. But what is the Blarney Stone?
It is a block of limestone embedded in the battlements of Blarney Castle near Cork, Ireland. Its origins are shrouded in myth, including a tale that Cormac Laidir MacCarthy, the castle’s builder, was instructed by the Irish goddess Cliodhna to kiss the first stone he encountered on his way to court. This act supposedly granted him the power of persuasive speech, enabling him to win his case. He then placed the stone in the castle’s parapet.
In truth, the stone’s true origin remains unknown. For those unable to visit Ireland, Texas Tech University in Lubbock claims to have a fragment of the Blarney Stone displayed outside its old Electrical Engineering Building. According to their tradition, only graduating seniors who kiss the stone receive the gift of eloquence.
3. The Enigma of St. Patrick’s Grave
Known as the 'Apostle of Ireland,' St. Patrick is the patron saint of all things Irish. While his exact birth and death dates remain uncertain, it is widely accepted that he lived and served as a Christian missionary during the 5th century. However, the precise location of his burial remains a mystery.
Some claim St. Patrick is buried at Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland. Conversely, medieval monks from Glastonbury Abbey in Somerset, England, assert that he is interred there. According to their tradition, after serving as Bishop of Ireland, Patrick retired to Glastonbury Abbey, becoming its first Abbot, and was buried near the High Altar in the 'Old Wattle Chapel.'
What is certain is that St. Patrick was born in Roman Britain, making the idea of his return to his homeland plausible. To honor him this St. Patrick’s Day, consider adding a touch of green to your English brown ale.
2. The Mystery of Francis Crozier
On May 19, 1845, the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror departed England for the Canadian Arctic in search of the Northwest Passage. Commanded by Sir John Franklin, the ships and their 128-man crew were last seen by whalers off Greenland’s west coast in July. They were never seen again.
Second-in-command to Franklin was the experienced Irish naval officer, Captain Francis Crozier, who came from modest beginnings. After Franklin’s death two years into the expedition, both ships became stranded in the ice off King William Island. Crozier took charge of leading the crew to safety, but their fate remained a mystery for the next fourteen years.
In 1859, a brief note discovered in a cairn on King William Island revealed the crew’s desperate attempt to reach the Canadian mainland. They perished before succeeding, with causes of death ranging from hypothermia and scurvy to starvation and lead poisoning from poorly sealed canned food. The exact circumstances of Francis Crozier’s death remain unknown. Today, he is immortalized as the central figure in Dan Simmons’ novel 'The Terror' and its 2018 AMC television adaptation, inspired by the tragic expedition.
1. The Legend of St. Patrick and the Snakes
If you fear snakes, you’re not alone—nearly half of the U.S. population shares this phobia, known as ophidiophobia. For those dreaming of a snake-free country, Ireland, along with Iceland and New Zealand, is one of the few options. Legend has it that St. Patrick drove all snakes out of Ireland in the 5th century, banishing them into the sea after they disturbed his 40-day fast.
However, modern science disputes this tale, suggesting snakes never inhabited Ireland. Post-glacial Ireland shows no evidence of reptiles, except for the common lizard. While Ireland’s cold climate is often cited as the reason for its lack of snakes, neighboring England and Scotland, with similar climates, do have them. So, if you share Indiana Jones’ aversion to snakes, feel free to toast St. Patrick on March 17th—science aside.
