Villagers call for demolition of ‘bad luck’ cottage after five deaths

Locals in the village of Lixnaw, Co Kerry, are seeking the demolition of a council-owned cottage where a number of people have died, including a woman who died violently there last year.

The parish priest of Lixnaw has said there is concern and people believe there is a “máchail” (defect or harm) or “mí-ádh” (bad luck) associated with this particular house on the edge of Ballynageragh bog near the village

The simple, unassuming looking cottage, which most likely replaced an older house, can be associated with at least five tragic, accidental or violent deaths — most recently that of 62-year-old Susan Dunne who had moved into the house with her autistic son, Patrick, 18 months before her death. Her son stands accused of her murder.