Massereene family back ghost hunt

THE family which once owned Clotworthy House, where councillors last week opted to ban a paranormal investigation, say they are in favour of such activity taking place.

Indeed, they have pointed to the fact that one of the former inhabitants of Antrim Castle, which was torched in 1922, was a spiritualist and medium.

Clotworthy House began as a stable block, designed by Sir Charles Lanyon in the 1840s, and was converted for Lord and Lady Massereene after the castle burnt down and it is now a public building housing a cafe, shop and exhibition space.

The council’s Community Planning Committee gave the County Antrim Paranormal Research Association their blessing to have a look around Clotworthy House and Sentry Hill in February - but by the time the decision came before full council for ratification it seems that some of the chamber had been spooked.

Alliance Councillor Billy Webb said: “I think it is one thing to have a paranormal investigation in a public building, but it is quite another thing to have them in buildings that have previously been a private home which is the case with Sentry Hill and Clotworthy,” he said.

“There may be relations to those who previously lived there still in our community. I think that should have been considered before granting permission.

“The council has been contacted with similar concerns. I propose an amendment that permission is refused.”

His proposal was seconded by DUP councillor Matthew Magill.

The former Viscountess of Massereene and Ferrard, Jean Massereene, grandmother of the current Lord Massereene, was renowned in her time for her interest in the paranormal and was even said to have held seances.

The Antrim Guardian contacted the Massereene family for comment this week.

Denise Massereene the wife of John David Clotworthy Whyte-Melville Foster Skeffington, 14th Viscount Massereene and 7th Viscount Ferrard, said that the family support the hunt.

“I cannot see any reason why testing for paranormal activity should not go ahead, Viscountess Jean Massereene would be delighted!” she said.

Mrs Massereene said she would also like to be updated if anything is found.

The Massereene sold the majority of the park to the former Antrim council in the 60s.

The castle was finally demolished in the 1970s, much to the disgust of the current Lord Massereene, and the gardens were refurbished in 2015.

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