A mysterious discovery has been made in the bogs of Roul, near Aharilh, about four miles from Newcastle West. Farmer O’Donnell, while cutting turf, came upon the well-preserved body of a man lying under a two-foot hank of turf. The body appeared surprisingly lifelike, with the face, hair, and whiskers in a remarkably good state of preservation.

The unidentified man was dressed in a flannel material, with oval-shaped buttons covered in the same fabric. A hazel walking stick lay beside the body. Upon further examination, a purse containing a number of ancient coins was found in one of the pockets, suggesting that the body had been in the bog for an extended period.

The unique conditions of the peat bogs are known to preserve organic material very well, due to the presence of sphagnum moss and the lack of oxygen. This would explain why the body appeared so lifelike despite having potentially been in the bog for centuries.

As of now, the identity of the man remains a mystery, and it is unclear how or why his body ended up in the bog. Further investigations are expected to be carried out in order to determine the man’s origins, cause of death, and how long he has been in the bog.

Kerry News – Monday 01 June 1903