Saint Patrick's Ghost at Wythenshawe Hall

There is pre-Saint Patrick’s Day news from the Wythenshawe Hall, South Manchester, UK: As we approach St Patrick’s Day, we recall the legend of the visitation of, possibly, St Patrick himself to Wythenshawe Hall. Could he visit again this year?

It appeared to be a run of the mill eighteenth century March 17, until an Irish chap knocked at the doors of Wythenshawe Hall. His wagon had collapsed. He knocked on the door of the house. The household greeted the Irishman with hospitality, allowing him to stay. The Irishman introduced himself as just Patricius, providing neither family name nor title. However, the mistress of the household was not happy about the presence of Patricius.

She reluctantly asked a servant to prepare a room for the chap. Having been shown his room, Patricius immediately made to rest. Nevertheless, the household were unaware that the chap was bleeding badly. After an hour or so, they heard the man crying in agony. On that grizzly note, a servant was sent to determine the cause. Patricius was dying.

He asked the household for a priest, to receive his Last Rights. His was greeted with the rejoinder that there were no Catholic priests in the area. At that point, the mistress walked in. She portentously asserted that she was not prepared to disturb people at such a late hour, adding that Catholic priests are not welcome to the estate. She insisted that Patricius would be fine the next morning.

Throughout the night, he moaned in agony. As he did, she assured her husband that his cries were not genuine. When her husband went to check on Patricius next morning, no one was present except for a bloodstained bed.