In 1885, reports emerged from Doora Parish, near Ennis in County Clare, of a disturbing series of events centred on a rural household. The case, which closely resembles what would now be described as a poltergeist disturbance, is said to have affected a couple living alone – identified as Martin Keane and his wife.

According to accounts from the time, the disturbances had been ongoing for over a week and appeared to be increasing in intensity.

Keane claimed that both he and his wife were repeatedly dragged from their bed during the night, with bedclothes pulled away and scattered across the floor. Attempts to light and maintain a fire in the hearth were also unsuccessful. Turf and hot cinders were reportedly raked out and thrown about the room without any visible cause, preventing the couple from keeping the house warm.

As news of the events spread through the parish, neighbours became aware of the situation. One local man, Patrick Heffernan (sometimes spelled differently in reports), offered to stay overnight in the house to witness the disturbances for himself and to attempt to keep a fire lit.

According to the account, he initially succeeded in lighting the fire. However, the situation quickly escalated. Burning material from the hearth was suddenly thrown toward him, striking his face. Shocked and frightened by what he experienced, he fled the house.

With the disturbances continuing, Keane sought the help of the local clergy. He approached Father B. Scanlan and described what had been happening. The priest accompanied him to the house and carried out prayers – described in some versions as a Mass – intended to drive out whatever presence was believed to be responsible.

No clear explanation was ever established, and it is not known for certain whether the disturbances stopped after the priest’s intervention. The story has since endured as part of local folklore in the Ennis area and is often cited as an example of a 19th-century Irish poltergeist case.