Ghost of Kitty O’Reilly

Victorian debutant haunts heritage landmark

Kitty O’Reilly led a charmed life. She was born Charlotte Kathleen O'Reilly at Point Ellice House in Victoria on December 31, 1867; the daughter of Colonial Gold Commissioner / Magistrate Peter O'Reilly. Point Ellice House’s Victorian gardens and tennis courts made it a popular gathering place among Victoria’s elite. 

Header Image: BC Provincial Archives (DSCF3389)

BC Provincial Archives (G-09119)

As Kathleen entered womanhood, her manors and beauty attracted many suitors, in particular Antarctic explorer Captain Robert Scott and Captain Henry Stanhope, who later became Lord Chesterfield. 

Kitty preferred to stay at home and though she had a number of marriage proposals, she never wed. Kathleen O'Reilly died at Point Ellice house on April 18, 1945.

It is said her ghost still haunts the home she loved so well.

Point Ellice House 

Opulently appointed, Point Ellice House heritage site and museum hosts an impressive collection of Victoriana, all of which is directly related to the site, and the O’Rielly family.

*Photos by Erik Prosser

Filmed at the Tidemark Theatre in Campbell River, BC on November 20th, 2021 as part of the "Music from the Edges of Canada" concert series. 

Bruce Coughlan: lead vocals, guitar 
Laurence Knight: bass, vocals 
Eric Reed: electric guitar, vocals 
Mike Sanyshyn: fiddle, vocals

Ghost of Kitty o'Reilly

Tiller's Folly

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All songs, music & lyrics by Bruce Coughlan (SOCAN) except: The Ballad of John Rae by Bruce Coughlan & Jim Smith (SOCAN) All tracks produced by Laurence Knight except: Laurence Knight & Steven Drake (15, 23) Read more
All songs, music & lyrics by Bruce Coughlan (SOCAN) except: The Ballad of John Rae by Bruce Coughlan & Jim Smith (SOCAN)
All tracks produced by Laurence Knight except: Laurence Knight & Steven Drake (15, 23) Joby Baker (4, 21, 24) Bruce Coughlan (6, 14, 20) Mastered & re-mastered by Joby Baker Thank-you to our families, friends and fans for all your support and inspiration!!
Thanks to everyone who contributed to our Kickstarter Stirring Up Ghosts initiative. Special thanks to Rob Armstrong, Katharine Barrett, Bob Chenoweth and the Lexvolds. Special thanks again to Dave & Paula Reed who’s initial contribution made this project possible.
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  1. Ghost of Kitty o'Reilly

Ghost of Kitty O’Reilly

Kitty blushed in the full bloom of spring
Carefree and wild as a bird on the wing
Unencumbered by love's tender strings
She lived by the Point Ellice shore

From far and wide, like moths to a flame
Calling and courting the gentlemen came
Still she bided her time, content to remain
In the house by the Point Ellice shore

There was not a one so fare
Timeless beauty and devil may care
At the height of Victorian flair
With paints, easel and garden

Oh, the scores of hearts she snared
Few resisted and few were spared
Though they pined oh, the less she could care
No one could kindle her ardour

Kitty died, a solit'ry rose
She never had wed; she'd seldom left home
Having never found love, was her heart turned to stone?
All alone by the Point Ellice shore

Many years have come and have gone
A story's told so the legend lives on
That a maid with a blue dress on
Still haunts the house by the harbour
And there, I fear the ghost of fare Kitty O'Reilly
Will haunt evermore

 

Words & Music by Bruce Coughlan (SOCAN)

Stirring Up Ghosts is an initiative begun in 1997 by songwriter Bruce Coughlan in an effort to preserve a measure of Pacific Canadian history, heritage and culture in story & song. His band Tiller's Folly have recorded and performed these songs far and wide, sharing our unique stories in the Bardic tradition which is a timeless part of our Celtic Culture.

 

Some images ©