An overnight investigation inside Cobh’s former Convent of Mercy revealed unsettling experiences and possible spirit communication, writes JOHN AMBROSE MARTIN
Founded in September 2013 by lead investigator Matthew Clarke, Cork Supernatural Society began as a family hobby, inspired by personal experiences and a shared love of exploration of the paranormal.
Over time, the group evolved into a dedicated seven-member team and has since carried out approximately 300 investigations, ranging from private homes across Cork to abandoned Soviet-era hospitals in Budapest.
The group regularly hosts public investigations at their resident location, the Convent of Mercy in Cobh, with upcoming events announced through their social media platforms, all accessible via their Linktree, to which I have provided links at the bottom of this article.
Convent of Mercy, a building steeped in history
The history of the convent is deeply tied to one of Ireland’s darkest periods.
Founded on 23 May 1850, the Sisters of Mercy arrived in Cobh, then known as Queenstown, in response to widespread poverty following the Great Famine. That same year, the Sisters purchased a house and surrounding land, which would become the Convent of Mercy, gradually expanding the complex over the following decade.
The chapel, completed in 1860, became the spiritual centrepiece of the site.
But behind its religious purpose lies a far harsher story. The grounds also housed an orphanage, a school, and an industrial laundry where orphaned children endured long days of intense labour.
Like many such institutions across Ireland, the building carries layers of sorrow, hardship, discipline, and silence, the kind of emotional residue many believe may contribute to reported paranormal activity.
Reported Encounters and Activity
According to Cork Supernatural Society, the team were first called to the convent following a disturbing incident involving builders working on the property.
During renovations, one worker reportedly became trapped inside an empty room and later emerged with scratch marks running down his back.
Following this event, a local medium claimed multiple spirits were present within the building, including that of a child believed to have died by hanging on the first floor.
The medium also described a dominant presence that allegedly showed hostility toward male investigators.
Over the past four years, the team claims to have captured Class A EVPs, images of two possible apparitions, and footage appearing to show a childlike figure following investigators through the building.
These findings have been archived online for public viewing, with links below.
The Investigation
Like many investigations, the evening began before darkness had fully settled over Cobh.
Equipment was unpacked, cameras positioned, and audio recorders placed in rooms where activity had previously been reported. Ten investigators were present, beginning with a group session in the chapel before later dividing into smaller teams to cover the sprawling building.
Cork Supernatural Society Investigation Report
The team conducted an Estes Method session in the former nuns’ dormitory.
During the session, one investigator asked:
“Do you know you have died, and do you remember what year you passed away?”
A clear response came through the spirit box: “1893.”
The answer immediately caught the attention of the group. With a nuns’ cemetery located on the convent grounds, the team hopes to verify whether any sister connected to the convent died during that year.
Moments later, another response followed the question:
“How did you die?”
This time, the word came quickly: “Stairwell.”
Later in the evening, while four investigators stood inside the old industrial laundry, Matthew became convinced he heard footsteps moving outside the nearby garden door.
Assuming another team was outside near the cemetery, he initially ignored the sound. However, after checking, no one was there. Soon after, it was confirmed that all team members remained inside the building.
The laundry room produced another unusual moment later in the night.
Two investigators independently reported seeing a sudden burst of green light, similar to the glow of a K2 meter, despite no such devices being present in the area.
Soul-O Paranormal Investigation Report
As this was my first investigation, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
The building is vast, intimidating, and carries an atmosphere of heavy emotion that seems to seep from its walls.
Later, during an Estes session in the nuns’ dormitory, I introduced myself to provoke a response and received a name in reply:
“My name is John. Can you tell me your name?”
The response came through clearly: “Mary…. Catherine, Mary Catherine.”
The following morning, this name would take on greater significance when we discovered it on one of the headstones in the convent cemetery.
My team decided to return to the chapel. At one point, we heard more movement in the same area at the back of the chapel, only this time it sounded like a group of people.
I assumed it was the team moving, but suddenly the sound faded despite all team members being accounted for.
I investigated and found no one there. There was also a sensor light that would have been triggered if anyone had been in the area.
I radioed the rest of the team and confirmed they were all in completely different areas away from the chapel.
This seems to be a recurring situation experienced by the team in more than one location during the evening.
As the night drew to a close, I joined the team on the top floor as they continued spirit box and Estes experiments, while I chose to explore alone, wandering the halls and rooms.
I settled at the far end of the building, faintly able to hear the others in the distance.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed down the corridor.
I initially assumed someone had dropped something, perhaps a bottle. Tanya, who stood in a nearby doorway, looked down the hall towards me, clearly thinking I had caused the noise.
Once we established that neither of us had made the sound, we searched the entire level for any disturbance.
Nothing had moved. Nothing was out of place.
What caused it remains unknown. Was it simply the building settling, or something else entirely trying to draw attention?
The question lingers with me still.
Evidence
Matthew Clarke of Cork Supernatural Society kindly shared with us three remarkable images collected from the Convent of Mercy during their investigations. (Images featured in this article are provided and credited to Cork Supernatural Society.)
Scratch Marks
This image shows the documented scratch marks on the back of a builder who reportedly became trapped inside the convent during renovation works.
The marks were photographed shortly after the incident.
Thermal Imaging Figure
This image captures a figure detected using a thermal imaging camera.
According to Matthew, no one was present in the area at the time. Several images taken moments earlier show only normal ambient background temperatures.
Dark Figure
Captured in the former industrial laundry, this image shows a clear contrast between a possible shadow figure and the surrounding background.
Reflections
After speaking with the team the following morning, it was agreed that the investigation was quieter than on previous visits.
Even so, the night produced several intriguing moments and possible interactions.
Whether paranormal in nature or not, the atmosphere inside the Convent of Mercy remains undeniable, shaped as much by history as by the experiences that continue to emerge from within its walls.
For Cork Supernatural Society, the investigation continues.
And for those who walk its corridors after midnight, one feeling remains difficult to ignore, that somewhere beneath the silence, the building is still listening.
I would like to thank Matt and Tanya of Cork Supernatural Society for inviting me to join them on this investigation.
You and your team stand as an example of what a dedicated and professional team in the Irish paranormal community can be.
Your continued commitment to exploring and documenting these locations ensures their stories are never forgotten.
