MARSH'S LIBRARY GHOST

Marsh's Library has the distinction of being one of the first public libraries in Europe. Named after the Archbishop of Dublin Narcissus Marsh who held office from 1694 until 1703 when he was appointed to Armagh. Dublin still held a special place in his heart and in 1707 he founded the library.

The figure of an elderly man has been seen in the inner gallery of the library searching through volumes which belonged to Narcissus Marsh. Hence it is generally taken for granted that this apparition is that of the Archbishop.

The popular story to explain his appearance is that his favourite niece who he had raised from childhood fell in love with a sailor a captain I think, and the Archbishop disapproved totally. The young couple decided to elope. The young niece attempted to explain things and beg forgiveness in a note which she placed in one of his books. The archbishop never found the note which may have saved him any sorrow and the theory is that he now searches in death for the note he never found in life.