Season 4, Episode 5
Title: The Christmas Cat of Keels
Time: 10:00
Locations: Keels, King’s Cove
Stories: Paddy Kelly and the Christmas Cat
Listen:
About The Episode:
Newfoundland has its share of strange Christmas stories — but not too many involve hand-to-hand combat with a supernatural house cat.
There’s only one I can think of, and it comes from the shores of Bonavista Bay. In this tale one unlucky soul finds out that not every creature stirring on Christmas Eve comes bearing gifts; some come looking for a fight.
Listening Options
You can listen to the episode here or on your favourite platform.
Sources & Further Reading
Paddy Kelly and the Christmas Cat, Product of Newfoundland
Bonavista South, The Trinitarian, December 21, 1926
The Devine Brothers of King’s Cove, J.W. McGrath
The Tangled Lore of Dogberries, Product of Newfoundland
In 1912 a shipment of cattle to downtown St. John’s led to an unusual shopper at Bowring Bros.
Newfoundland has some place names that sound like they belong in a ghost story. This Halloween, I’m exploring some of the island’s creepiest names and the curious stories behind them.
In October 1794 a shortage of sailors aboard a naval ship in St. John’s harbour set off a chain of events leading to the gallows… and a grisly post-mortem punishment.
According to one newspaper, Torbay was gripped by a ghostly disturbance in 1877. Night after night, Moses Power’s home was under attack…
In 1894, a painter from St. John’s was exhibiting her work in Paris. Margaret Campbell Macpherson built an international career — and somehow became a nearly forgotten Newfoundland story.
After years of illness, a Newfoundland nun left the island praying for a miracle. She returned convinced her prayers had been answered.