In December 1894, a tragic incident occurred at St Peter’s National School on Raglan Street – one that left a deep and lasting impact on the local community.

On the night in question, a large crowd of children and parents had gathered in an upstairs classroom for a school performance. The room was heavily overcrowded, with many standing to get a better view. During the event, the gas lighting suddenly failed, plunging the space into darkness.

What followed was panic.

Amid the confusion, a cry – reported in later accounts as “Ghost!” -rang out. In the pitch-black conditions, people rushed for the exit, which led to a narrow staircase. Those at the front lost their footing and fell. With no visibility and mounting fear behind them, the crowd continued to surge forward, unaware that the stairway had become blocked.

By the time order was restored, five children had been crushed to death, with many others injured.

Local residents rushed to assist, bringing the injured into nearby houses or seeking medical help where possible. The tragedy sent shockwaves through the area and became one of the most distressing incidents associated with the school.

In the aftermath, it was suggested that the gas supply had been deliberately interfered with by two local youths, reportedly as a prank. The boys were arrested and held for a time, though official accounts indicate that at least one of them gave inconsistent or unreliable statements. The full circumstances were never completely resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.

From this point, the story moves beyond documented history and into local tradition.

According to later retellings, one of the boys claimed to have experienced strange disturbances while in custody – hearing unexplained noises and being unable to sleep. These claims were dismissed at the time. However, in the months and years that followed, stories began to circulate of unusual activity within the school itself.

Reports spoke of unexplained sounds in empty rooms, windows breaking without cause, and furniture being moved – particularly in the area where the tragedy had taken place. While there is no verifiable evidence to support these claims, they became part of the folklore surrounding the building.

It is also said that one of the boys, affected by both the incident and the reaction of the local community, eventually left Belfast and entered religious life elsewhere. According to the story, the disturbances ceased after his departure.