Ghosts and Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees

How do you build a Mari Lwyd? Where do you find a horse skull? How heavy is it really – and how on earth do you dance with one? This Christmas, we go behind the folklore of Wales’s most iconic winter visitor – the Mari Lwyd – to uncover the practical secrets rarely talked about: construction, decoration, materials, performance, and the surprisingly tricky art of bringing a skeletal horse to life. Mark Rees is joined by Ronnie Kerswell-O’Hara of the National Trust at Dinefwr, Llandeilo – a maker, performer, dancer and seasoned guide to both Halloween ghost hunts and New Year Mari Lwyd events. Ronnie lifts the veil on what it takes to create a Mari from scratch, the realities of handling the skull, and the magic of a full Mari Lwyd troupe. Along the way, we meet a mysterious Green Man, uncover tips and tricks from years of trial and error, and explore how a centuries-old tradition is kept alive today through craft, community and a little seasonal mischief. Explore the lore this Christmas... if you dare! 👻   ORDER PARANORMAL SWANSEA AND GOWER BY MARK REES: Get Mark's latest "Ghosts of Wales" book "Paranormal Swansea and Gower" now! You can order it online here.   BUY MARK REES A COFFEE: If you'd like to support the GHOSTS AND FOLKLORE OF WALES podcast you can treat Mark to a coffee here: Mark Rees on Ko-Fi - thank you/ diolch!  https://ko-fi.com/markrees    WHAT IS THE GHOSTS AND FOLKLORE OF WALES PODCAST WITH MARK REES? The Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast explores the eerie world of Welsh ghosts, ghost stories, lore, myths, and legends. Launched by author and journalist Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales, Paranormal Wales) in early 2020, this weird and wonderful podcast delves into the country's countless curious subjects, blending decades of research from books and articles with long-lost tales from dusty old tomes. From "real-life" encounters with the uncanny to fantastical adventures from the Mabinogion, new episodes are uploaded monthly and feature everything from pesky poltergeists to fire-breathing dragons, with the odd wicked — and not-so-wicked — witch along the way. Alongside the regular stories, you can expect the occasional special guest, live ghost hunts, and all sorts of quirky surprises from a Welsh storyteller with original ideas. Seasonal specials include dark folklore and Gothic Halloween (Nos Calan Gaeaf) traditions, plus everyone's favourite skull-headed Christmas visitor, the Mari Lwyd. Dare you explore haunted Wales? From the sublime mountains and cascading waterfalls to bustling cities and remote farms, journey through the paranormal and unexplained in all corners of Cymru. Think of it as unlocking the Welsh X-Files with some tenuous Ghostbusters references and terrible sound effects along the way!  Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a spooky episode. For more details and to get in touch with Mark Rees, please visit https://markreesonline.com/: Mark Rees homepage Mark Rees on social media Books by Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales, Paranormal Wales etc.) Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast Until next time, nos da!

What happens when you spend Halloween night in one of Wales’s eeriest ruins? Who – or what – haunts the sand-blown walls of Pennard Castle? And could the terrifying Gwrach y Rhibyn still be keeping watch? It’s Halloween Eve, and Mark Rees heads to the haunted remains of Pennard Castle on the Gower Peninsula – a place steeped in ghostly sightings, fairy-folk legends and one of Wales’s most chilling curses. From the night a witch-like death omen was said to strike a man mad, to a modern eyewitness who saw something moving in the mist, this episode weaves folklore, history and first-hand encounters into one unnerving tale. Explore the lore this Halloween... if you dare! 👻   ORDER PARANORMAL SWANSEA AND GOWER BY MARK REES: Get Mark's latest "Ghosts of Wales" book "Paranormal Swansea and Gower" now! You can order it online here.   BUY MARK REES A COFFEE: If you'd like to support the GHOSTS AND FOLKLORE OF WALES podcast you can treat Mark to a coffee here: Mark Rees on Ko-Fi - thank you/ diolch!  https://ko-fi.com/markrees    WHAT IS THE GHOSTS AND FOLKLORE OF WALES PODCAST WITH MARK REES? The Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast explores the eerie world of Welsh ghosts, ghost stories, lore, myths, and legends. Launched by author and journalist Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales, Paranormal Wales) in early 2020, this weird and wonderful podcast delves into the country's countless curious subjects, blending decades of research from books and articles with long-lost tales from dusty old tomes. From "real-life" encounters with the uncanny to fantastical adventures from the Mabinogion, new episodes are uploaded monthly and feature everything from pesky poltergeists to fire-breathing dragons, with the odd wicked — and not-so-wicked — witch along the way. Alongside the regular stories, you can expect the occasional special guest, live ghost hunts, and all sorts of quirky surprises from a Welsh storyteller with original ideas. Seasonal specials include dark folklore and Gothic Halloween (Nos Calan Gaeaf) traditions, plus everyone's favourite skull-headed Christmas visitor, the Mari Lwyd. Dare you explore haunted Wales? From the sublime mountains and cascading waterfalls to bustling cities and remote farms, journey through the paranormal and unexplained in all corners of Cymru. Think of it as unlocking the Welsh X-Files with some tenuous Ghostbusters references and terrible sound effects along the way!  Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a spooky episode. For more details and to get in touch with Mark Rees, please visit https://markreesonline.com/: Mark Rees homepage Mark Rees on social media Books by Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales, Paranormal Wales etc.) Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast Until next time, nos da!

🎃👻 What dangerous games did people play on the night when the veil between worlds was at its thinnest? Who walked the dark lanes of Wales on Nos Calan Gaeaf long before modern Halloween lights flickered?  In this special Halloween episode, Mark Rees explores centuries-old Welsh traditions that mixed fun, fear, and fortune-telling. From sowing hemp seeds in graveyards to listening at church doors for whispered names, discover how spooky games revealed secrets about love, death, and the unknown. Uncover the folklore behind Halloween in Wales — where witches, spirits, and uncanny tricks weren’t just stories, but a part of everyday life. Explore the lore... if you dare! 👻   ORDER PARANORMAL SWANSEA AND GOWER BY MARK REES: Get Mark's latest "Ghosts of Wales" book "Paranormal Swansea and Gower" now! You can order it online here.   BUY MARK REES A COFFEE: If you'd like to support the GHOSTS AND FOLKLORE OF WALES podcast you can treat Mark to a coffee here: Mark Rees on Ko-Fi - thank you/ diolch!  https://ko-fi.com/markrees    WHAT IS THE GHOSTS AND FOLKLORE OF WALES PODCAST WITH MARK REES? The Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast explores the eerie world of Welsh ghosts, ghost stories, lore, myths, and legends. Launched by author and journalist Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales, Paranormal Wales) in early 2020, this weird and wonderful podcast delves into the country's countless curious subjects, blending decades of research from books and articles with long-lost tales from dusty old tomes. From "real-life" encounters with the uncanny to fantastical adventures from the Mabinogion, new episodes are uploaded monthly and feature everything from pesky poltergeists to fire-breathing dragons, with the odd wicked — and not-so-wicked — witch along the way. Alongside the regular stories, you can expect the occasional special guest, live ghost hunts, and all sorts of quirky surprises from a Welsh storyteller with original ideas. Seasonal specials include dark folklore and Gothic Halloween (Nos Calan Gaeaf) traditions, plus everyone's favourite skull-headed Christmas visitor, the Mari Lwyd. Dare you explore haunted Wales? From the sublime mountains and cascading waterfalls to bustling cities and remote farms, journey through the paranormal and unexplained in all corners of Cymru. Think of it as unlocking the Welsh X-Files with some tenuous Ghostbusters references and terrible sound effects along the way!  Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a spooky episode. For more details and to get in touch with Mark Rees, please visit https://markreesonline.com/: Mark Rees homepage Mark Rees on social media Books by Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales, Paranormal Wales etc.) Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast Until next time, nos da!

Who is the mysterious Ghost Rider haunting a lonely Welsh road plagued by Halloween Jack-o'-Lanterns? What dark link ties this spectral horseman to an old murder, a flickering light in the darkness, and the Devil himself? On this episode, journey into the shadows of rural Wales, where folklore and fear merge on moonlit lanes. Discover the chilling tale of a ghost rider whose hooves are not quite human, and why this terrifying encounter has echoed through generations — a story steeped in mystery, murder, and the spirit of Nos Calan Gaeaf, the Welsh Halloween. Explore the lore... if you dare!   ORDER PARANORMAL SWANSEA AND GOWER BY MARK REES: Get Mark's latest "Ghosts of Wales" book "Paranormal Swansea and Gower" now! You can order it online here.   BUY MARK REES A COFFEE: If you'd like to support the GHOSTS AND FOLKLORE OF WALES podcast you can treat Mark to a coffee here: Mark Rees on Ko-Fi - thank you/ diolch!  https://ko-fi.com/markrees    WHAT IS THE GHOSTS AND FOLKLORE OF WALES PODCAST WITH MARK REES? The Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast explores the eerie world of Welsh ghosts, ghost stories, lore, myths, and legends. Launched by author and journalist Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales, Paranormal Wales) in early 2020, this weird and wonderful podcast delves into the country's countless curious subjects, blending decades of research from books and articles with long-lost tales from dusty old tomes. From "real-life" encounters with the uncanny to fantastical adventures from the Mabinogion, new episodes are uploaded monthly and feature everything from pesky poltergeists to fire-breathing dragons, with the odd wicked — and not-so-wicked — witch along the way. Alongside the regular stories, you can expect the occasional special guest, live ghost hunts, and all sorts of quirky surprises from a Welsh storyteller with original ideas. Seasonal specials include dark folklore and Gothic Halloween (Nos Calan Gaeaf) traditions, plus everyone's favourite skull-headed Christmas visitor, the Mari Lwyd. Dare you explore haunted Wales? From the sublime mountains and cascading waterfalls to bustling cities and remote farms, journey through the paranormal and unexplained in all corners of Cymru. Think of it as unlocking the Welsh X-Files with some tenuous Ghostbusters references and terrible sound effects along the way!  Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a spooky episode. For more details and to get in touch with Mark Rees, please visit https://markreesonline.com/: Mark Rees homepage Mark Rees on social media Books by Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales, Paranormal Wales etc.) Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast Until next time, nos da!

What if death could knock on your door — quite literally — before claiming a life? Would you answer? Would you believe it? And what strange thread connects these events in Wales to a death in America? In this eerie real-life account from 19th-century Wales, a tailor living in a remote farmhouse near Newcastle Emlyn is disturbed by strange and persistent sounds — knocking at doors and windows, ghostly wailing in the night, and an uncanny sense that something is coming. Witnesses hear it too. The knocking grows louder. And then it reaches a crescendo… But the story doesn’t end there. In fact, it’s only when news arrives from across the Atlantic that the full meaning of these uncanny spirit sounds becomes clear. On this episode, Mark explores a chilling tale of death omens, haunted houses, and the old folk belief that death itself gives warning — if you know how to listen. Explore the lore... if you dare!   ORDER PARANORMAL SWANSEA AND GOWER BY MARK REES: Get Mark's latest "Ghosts of Wales" book "Paranormal Swansea and Gower" now! You can order it online here.   BUY MARK REES A COFFEE: If you'd like to support the GHOSTS AND FOLKLORE OF WALES podcast you can treat Mark to a coffee here: Mark Rees on Ko-Fi - thank you/ diolch!  https://ko-fi.com/markrees    WHAT IS THE GHOSTS AND FOLKLORE OF WALES PODCAST WITH MARK REES? The Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast explores the eerie world of Welsh ghosts, ghost stories, lore, myths, and legends. Launched by author and journalist Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales, Paranormal Wales) in early 2020, this weird and wonderful podcast delves into the country's countless curious subjects, blending decades of research from books and articles with long-lost tales from dusty old tomes. From "real-life" encounters with the uncanny to fantastical adventures from the Mabinogion, new episodes are uploaded monthly and feature everything from pesky poltergeists to fire-breathing dragons, with the odd wicked — and not-so-wicked — witch along the way. Alongside the regular stories, you can expect the occasional special guest, live ghost hunts, and all sorts of quirky surprises from a Welsh storyteller with original ideas. Seasonal specials include dark folklore and Gothic Halloween (Nos Calan Gaeaf) traditions, plus everyone's favourite skull-headed Christmas visitor, the Mari Lwyd. Dare you explore haunted Wales? From the sublime mountains and cascading waterfalls to bustling cities and remote farms, journey through the paranormal and unexplained in all corners of Cymru. Think of it as unlocking the Welsh X-Files with some tenuous Ghostbusters references and terrible sound effects along the way!  Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a spooky episode. For more details and to get in touch with Mark Rees, please visit https://markreesonline.com/: Mark Rees homepage Mark Rees on social media Books by Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales, Paranormal Wales etc.) Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast Until next time, nos da!