Every March 17th, the world celebrates St. Patrick’s Day, a time to honor Irish culture, rich with traditions, folklore, and, of course, its famous hospitality. But beyond the festive cheer, Ireland holds a legacy of captivating enigmas. These are stories and events that have puzzled historians, scientists, and investigators for generations, leaving us with more questions than answers. Join us as we explore ten of Ireland’s most intriguing unsolved mysteries that continue to fascinate and mystify.
10St. Brendan’s American Voyage
We all learn that Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492, but what if he wasn’t the first European to reach its shores? Irish tradition suggests that St. Brendan, a 6th-century monk known as “Brendan the Navigator,” might have beaten him by centuries. The 9th-century “Voyage of St. Brendan the Abbot” tells of his journey across the Atlantic, encountering what could be icebergs (“pillars of crystal”) and landing in a vast “promised land.” Could this have been North America?
Adding to the intrigue, petroglyphs in West Virginia, discovered by Harvard marine biologist Barry Fell in 1983, were carved in Ogam, an Irish script used between the 6th and 8th centuries. While most archaeologists remain skeptical, adventurer Tim Severin successfully sailed a replica of Brendan’s boat along the supposed route in 1977. Did St. Brendan truly reach America first? The debate continues.
9The Unsolved Murder of William Desmond Taylor
Irish-born filmmaker William Desmond Taylor was a prominent director in Hollywood’s silent film era, working with stars like Mary Pickford. On February 2, 1922, the 49-year-old was found murdered in his Los Angeles bungalow, sparking a Tinseltown scandal with a long list of potential suspects.
Among them were comedic star Mabel Normand, with whom Taylor was reportedly in love and trying to help overcome drug addiction; Mary Miles Minter, a young actress obsessed with him; Minter’s controlling mother, Charlotte Shelby, who might have had her own feelings for Taylor; and even Taylor’s valet, Henry Peavey. Over a century later, this Hollywood whodunit remains one of its most infamous cold cases.
8The Kidnapping of Shergar the Racehorse
For many in Ireland, the County Kildare-born stallion Shergar is a legend. Owned by the Aga Khan IV, Shergar had a phenomenal racing season in 1981, winning the Epsom Derby by an astounding ten lengths. Two years after retiring to stud, Shergar was stolen by an armed gang demanding a hefty ransom.
When the kidnappers failed to prove Shergar was still alive, negotiations broke down, and the champion horse was never seen again. Years later, a former IRA member claimed the organization stole Shergar to fund arms purchases, stating the horse was put down after panicking and injuring itself. To this day, no arrests have been made, and Shergar’s remains have never been located. The Shergar Cup, inaugurated in 1999, honors his memory.
7The Mysterious Crash of Aer Lingus Flight 712
On March 24, 1968, Aer Lingus Flight 712 took off from Cork, Ireland, bound for London with 61 people on board. Shortly after a routine departure, air traffic controllers received a garbled message, believed to indicate the plane was “descending, spinning rapidly.” Soon after, the flight vanished from radar.
Wreckage was eventually found near Tuskar Rock, off Ireland’s southeast coast, but tragically, there were no survivors. Despite extensive investigations, including a 2002 review, the cause of the crash remains undetermined. Theories range from a bird strike or structural failure to an accidental impact with a target drone from a nearby missile testing range. The truth behind Flight 712’s final moments is still a mystery.
6The Vanishing of Amy Fitzpatrick
Fifteen-year-old Amy Fitzpatrick, an Irish teenager living in Málaga, Spain, disappeared on New Year’s Day 2008. After babysitting for a friend, she set off on the short walk home but never arrived. An extensive search yielded no clues to her whereabouts.
In 2009, Amy’s mother received an anonymous call claiming Amy was alive in Madrid and later a text demanding a 500,000 euro ransom. These leads, traced to pre-paid phones, ultimately went cold. Adding another layer of tragedy, Amy’s brother Dean was killed five years later by their mother’s boyfriend, Dave Mahon, who was living with the family when Amy vanished. Amy’s disappearance remains a heartbreaking, unsolved case.
5The Irish Elk’s Extinction
The Irish elk, or Megaloceros giganteus, was a colossal deer that roamed Eurasia during the Ice Age. Standing up to 7 feet tall at the shoulder with antlers spanning 12 feet and weighing 90 pounds, it was one of the largest deer species ever to exist. Despite its name, its fossils are found far beyond Ireland, though Irish bogs have preserved many excellent specimens.
These magnificent creatures vanished around 8,000 years ago. Why did they go extinct? Theories include climate change during the last ice age, overhunting by early humans, or even that their massive antlers hindered their escape from predators in forested areas. The mystery of their decline persists, though some scientists even ponder the possibility of one day cloning this majestic beast.
4The True Origin of the Blarney Stone
Legend says that kissing the Blarney Stone, a block of limestone built into Blarney Castle near Cork, bestows the “gift of gab” – eloquence and wit. One popular tale claims Cormac Laidir MacCarthy, the castle’s builder, was advised by the goddess Cliodhna to kiss the first stone he found on his way to court. Doing so gave him persuasive powers to win his case, and he then incorporated the stone into the castle.
But where did this famous stone actually come from? Its true origins are shrouded in mystery. Some theories suggest it could be part of Scotland’s Stone of Scone or even have connections to the Crusades. While millions have puckered up for its magical properties, the Blarney Stone’s real history remains an enchanting puzzle.
3Why No Snakes in Ireland?
Ireland is famously one of the few snake-free lands in the world, alongside places like New Zealand and Iceland. Folklore credits St. Patrick with banishing all snakes from the Emerald Isle in the 5th century, chasing them into the sea after they disturbed his 40-day fast. It’s a great story, but what’s the scientific take?
Most scientists believe snakes never inhabited Ireland in the first place. Fossil records show no evidence of snakes in post-glacial Ireland. The prevailing theory is that the end of the last Ice Age left Ireland isolated by rising sea levels before snakes could migrate there from mainland Europe. Despite similar climates in neighboring Britain where snakes do exist, Ireland remained serpent-free. So, while the legend is charming, nature likely played the bigger role.
2The Lost Fate of Francis Crozier
In 1845, the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, under Sir John Franklin, sailed from England to find the elusive Northwest Passage. Irish Captain Francis Crozier was second in command. After being last seen by whalers off Greenland, the expedition, with its 129 men, vanished.
Two years into the voyage, Franklin died, and the ships became trapped in Arctic ice. Crozier took command, leading the men in a desperate attempt to reach safety overland. A note found in 1859 revealed their tragic trek, but none survived. Hypothermia, starvation, scurvy, and possibly lead poisoning from tinned provisions are cited as causes. The exact fate of Francis Crozier – when, where, and how he died – remains one of the Arctic’s most enduring mysteries, inspiring books and television series.
1Where is St. Patrick Really Buried?
St. Patrick, Ireland’s beloved patron saint, was a 5th-century Christian missionary. While his life is celebrated, the specific location of his final resting place is a subject of debate. The most widely accepted site is Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland. A memorial stone there marks the supposed grave.
However, another claim comes from Glastonbury Abbey in Somerset, England. Medieval monks there asserted that Patrick, after his time as Bishop of Ireland, retired to Glastonbury, became its first Abbot, and was buried there. Given that St. Patrick was born in Roman Britain, the idea of him returning to his homeland isn’t entirely far-fetched. So, while we celebrate St. Patrick each year, the true location of his grave remains one of Ireland’s oldest unsolved questions.
These ten mysteries offer just a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Ireland’s enigmatic past. From daring voyages and tragic disappearances to legendary artifacts and unexplained events, these unsolved puzzles continue to fuel our imagination and remind us that some secrets may be lost to time forever.
Which of these Irish mysteries intrigues you the most? Do you have any theories of your own? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
