| Loftus Hall was built by the 4th Marquis of Ely in 1870-1871 on the ruins of Redmond Hall, which had existed since 1350. Redmond Hall became the property of the Loftus family in 1666, and afterwards the old mansion became known as Loftus Hall. It was here that the famous "ghost" story originated in the middle of the 18th century. Charles Tottenham came to live for a time at the old Loftus Hall On a stormy winter's night as the family relaxed before a roaring log fire, a stranger arrived on horseback, and was invited to stay the night. After the refreshments he participated in a game of cards. During the game a card fell upon the floor. A lady who bent down to retrieve the fallen card was shocked to discover that the stranger had a cloven foot! Immediately she screamed in terror. The "stranger" vanished through the ceiling in a puff of smoke. Apparently, this was just one of a succession of terrifying experiences associated with Loftus Hall. Fr. Thomas Broaders was called upon to exorcise the disturbing evil spirit, and his powers worked! Fr. Broaders later became parish priest of the united parishes of the Hook and Ramsgrange for almost fifty years. |
