200 Year Old Map Solves Mystery In The Forest

I've finally solved the mystery of the strange deep holes I found in the forest on a recent solo wild camping trip in Ireland. The story spreads over 200 years and involves an epidemic that led to a decision that destroyed an entire rural community.
Big thanks to ‪@IrelandOutdoors‬ for the help on this!
A lot of this video was shot on the DJI Pocket 3: geni.us/BYNsi
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[@StephenJReid]

UPDATE! Temporary fencing has now been put up around the holes. No official reply yet, but I’m assuming this means they have plans for something more permanent.

[@Oi999Pa]

Did you have many underground coal mines or other mines in Ireland ????

[@nathanfarra6371]

Why are they full of water? Is it the water table, or do they not drain well, and they are full rain water build up?

[@kentworch]

Still an awesome discovery, and for those wondering why they are full of water, that would probably make sense if they were test holes. Filling up with water would probably be what they were testing for to see if it was suitable to build a dam there. If they fill up with water, the soil is saturated and a dam might wash away which would explain why they didn't build one.

[@MrWeedWacky]

4:30 - that's not a house, that's a mansion, and it's probably more like 500-1000 years old.

[@efuller6770]

Awesome and good job with the string. Hopefully you get to know for sure

[@mickd6942]

Not often KZbin recommendations turns up a gem but this time it did

[@dianelively8582]

Ditto! 👍🏼

[@StephenJReid]

Thank you ! Spent ages on this 🙂

[@lazylaserwhittling]

its becoming rare to find intelligence presented on any media platform anymore, but thankfully there are these that make the trawling worthwhile.

[@harrywalker968]

excrement video.. i thought might be mines, for lime..britt, living in aus.. like all britts, should.. oh,,& some irish.. we have an irish day.. & cornish hisory..moonta mines,. s.a. @@StephenJReid

[@M1lh0u53ISGaming]

Absolute. banger.

[@SpectatorCentr]

Discussing history isn't political... it's historical. If the British government couldn't give a flying what not about the starving Irish...you are entitled to say it, without worrying about whether or not it's politcal. Fascinating video...and some great images inside those holes 👍 Excellent 👏

[@StephenJReid]

I did criticise our current government, that’s definitely political. But yes historical facts shouldn’t be, but not everyone agrees on the facts

[@TIMMEH19991]

As an English man, I'm ashamed of how my ancestors abused the Irish. It was a disgusting time in our history.

[@jimrobertson8357]

@@TIMMEH19991 The land owners abused their English tenants too. As long as they had money coming in they did not care about their tenants

[@SpectatorCentr]

@@TIMMEH19991 👍👌

[@M.Campbell-Sherwood]

😹🤣 Irish history is always political.

[@petimees8844]

I just spent 21 minutes looking at a video about holes. I enjoy.

[@M.Holland]

Every man, ever.

[@petimees8844]

@@M.Holland ngl there was also good looking sticks there so that's a bonus

[@1337fraggzb00N]

@@petimees8844 I fap to this.

[@edyoung6756]

Hi Stephen. My name is Ed Young & I live in the Southern United States. I'm 63 years old and this is the very first video of yours I've watched. Already, I'm hooked. Your presentation is excellent. The humor in the video is priceless with all the funny texts you include to poke fun at you. At the same time i admire your work because you've obviously done your research and checked out your findings with reputable sources. BRAVO! I cant wait to see more of your videos. Keep up the great work. - Ed

[@ozenfant_ozn]

the bit at the end proves you, sir, are a good soul.

[@StephenJReid]

Or I’m just trying to avoid liability 😂

[@livingonthetyne]

@@StephenJReid "Stephen made me go and I tripped over the bobbed wire and fell in the hole head first and died" ... as he tells god why he is dead. ... hahah anyone falling in them holes alone is not getting back out haha.

[@Simon_J_Hodge_Outdoors]

He’s just a testhole

[@kevinfoster1138]

​@@StephenJReidyou're only reliable if you own the land.

[@thekeysman6760]

​@@livingonthetyneBarbed* wire.

[@seamushanratty9433]

Good lad ringing the water service and putting up that make shift fence!What a terrifying end it would be if some camper fell into that hole.....

[@StephenJReid]

Yeah, accident waiting to happen! Very few people will likely ever be in that exact area, but I came across it so I’m sure I’ll not be the only one.

[@brigidmccarthy5800]

No s*** I'd be freaked out I'd be dead probably I camp a lot😮

[@prismpixie6379]

Ya, no one camps up there. It's still contaminated.

[@duudsuufd]

Perfectly taken over by nature and then you add plastic wire...

[@StephenJReid]

@@duudsuufd there’s nothing natural about the monoculture spruce plantation that’s growing around it.

[@Rajamak]

You could have spun a fantastic yarn about the great leprechaun hunt of 1835 and how these were the remnants of the traps 🤣

[@StephenJReid]

Naw that happened in 1786, everyone knows that 😂

[@MrWeedWacky]

Those were not the traps, those were the places they were digging for the pots of gold, the leprechauns got people digging till their arms tired and then slipped away in the dead of night.

[@phillipkennedy508]

@@StephenJReid 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@phillipkennedy508]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@amandakidwell1740]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@NaziHampster]

Very interesting. The idea of someone walking through those woods (especially at night) not knowing those holes were there, terrifies me. I do wonder why the test holes were made so close to houses though.

[@IrelandOutdoors]

Hi, my latest research puts these holes at about 1945, long after the houses were abandoned. I suspect the holes put there because of ease of access, there was probably remains of old tracks to those houses still in 45.

[@NaziHampster]

@@IrelandOutdoors That makes sense. Cheers for reply and happy history hunting.

[@offan-]

@@IrelandOutdoors right since the old map was marking the kilns, that means the holes could be made at any time. thanks for the update

[@jimijamesjowitt]

​@@offan- Maybe the map was scaled differently than assumed. Those "dwellings" were probably the lime kilns and the dwellings long gone.

[@goldenappel]

The old maps reminded me of time spent in the local reference library poring over OS maps from the 18/1900's looking for cool things to explore. I was a weird kid! We found a couple of forgotten wells around Ballymena, one in Ballykeel and one in Galgorm, along with an overgrown ringfort in the grounds of Galgorm Castle. It's really cool that all that historical information is available online now. Back then they wouldn't even let us make photocopies of the maps so we sat in the library sketching them out by hand.

[@StephenJReid]

Class! Were the wells still there?

[@chrisstewart2279]

We did the same and found a mini Stonehenge near Newcastle and we did go and find it ,it we cool to see

[@ariera9873]

Recommendations for further investigation: Attach a hook to a rope and pull out limbs and debris. Attach weight to rope and get depth measurement. Attach magnet to rope and see if you have any luck. Attach GoPro to rope and lower to half a foot shy of bottom. Hopefully you now have a water hole that is free from obstructions and by dropping short you won't have soot (mulm) blacking out the visibility for best production result.

[@CuriousFocker]

You're the 678th channel I've subscribed to in the past 10 years. Now I'm having to ignore 677 of them whilst I go through your very interesting back catalogue of over 400 videos. Now I have something to keep me busy for a few weeks.

[@StephenJReid]

Hey thanks! Most of them aren’t like this one so hopefully you enjoy a rather wide range of videos! 🙂🙂 great to have you onboard

[@TheMatthooks]

It's say they're unlikely to be test bores for a reservoir. They would normally be drilled, and be a maximum of 12 inches diameter. I would suggest the water supply idea is asking the right lines, but not actually test bores.

[@daveparnell3886]

​@@TheMatthooks In the 1800s most wells / test holes were hand dug, therefore they were a lot larger than 12"

[@FrauWNiemand]

Good you made it safer. They told us in school that with every data copy we loose a specific amount of data. This was meant for IT age, but it also applies here: By copying the map, they just omitted them and the data got lost.

[@technodaz]

That explains my friends house , I commented on his shed once and he said there's 6 more down in the forest , an entire village abandoned. Yea top of a mountain almost with river flowing right through it, I know a few more near me but lucky for me never found a hole like that yet or fallen in one.

[@BillyJ244]

I'm glad you contacted the government and let them know that the barbed wire was down. It would be bad for some midnight hiker to fall in one of these holes. Your documentary was excellent! Your research was very good. Professionally done! Very interesting and educational content! Thank you.

[@bendrummond3063]

So glad you secured those holes Stephen, great video once again. Old ruins in the trees are beautiful. This is proper exploring finding gems like this to make you curious of what was once going on in these areas many years ago. Great work by the guys doing the map research 👏

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Ben! Gary was a massive help, he's going to find himself recruited again 🤣

[@sabrinatscha2554]

The first thing I thought when I saw you standing next to that thing was “death trap”. Imagine falling into that thing and realizing that no one knows where you are, while you tread water… 🙁

[@paulplex]

It's like watching Tony Robinson on Time Team, but less geophysics! Excellent stuff...

[@StephenJReid]

With my maths ability, probably best I avoid physics! 😂 thanks

[@stephengraham6194]

That was fascinating Stephen and well done for securing it so less likely for someone to be killed

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Stephen!

[@thekeysman6760]

@stephengraham6194 For "someone to be " involves something different to them falling in a hole and dying. Think about it.

[@techvillage]

Now that was a fun and interesting, and investigative story - really enjoyed that :)

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks! Have a couple more videos planned in a similar style. Although maybe not as in depth. This took forever to piece together

[@cultureofcritique9735]

I'm honestly surprised the holes weren't full of dead animals that had accidentally fallen in.

[@RMC8403]

If one had fallen in, the smell of it would keep the rest away

[@thelatemickb6927]

Not that much wildlife in coniferous plantation alas.

[@brennanarmacost1762]

Me too, I was looking for animal bones.

[@99959bill]

That's what I like a good investigation,,, dig up history, maps , papers etc.... Excellent Work Sir !!! Thank You !!!!

[@user-qd3vh7lk6y]

The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became the truth.

[@tomfenn7149]

You, Stephen, are brilliant! And to do the right thing at the end too? Brilliant x2! What a brilliant story!

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Tom! 🙂 not my usual video type but too good a story to pass but

[@IvanDP1967]

Brilliant follow up video Stephen 👍 And thank you for doing all that research and then sharing it with us. I love this type of history.

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Ivan!

[@JohnBradyIRL]

the algorithm worked today, glad this showed up for me

[@Crabfather]

So glad this popped up seemingly at random.. I'm hooked - fascinating !

[@AngiefromthesparklingRiver]

wow, that was exciting, no matter what it ended up being 👍! That was the first video of yours. My ancestors are Irish and unfortunately I don't know anything about them but I definitely want to go to Ireland ❤️

[@StephenJReid]

Glad you enjoyed it Angie! 🙂 so much history here. It’s crazy how many people emigrated from Ireland all around the world.

[@AngiefromthesparklingRiver]

@@StephenJReid yes, unfortunately circumstances forced so many to move away. It must have been an unimaginably hard time for everyone, otherwise who would want to leave such a beautiful country. I'm definitely looking forward to what you'll discover in further videos.🙂

[@adventuredogs8773]

Yeah that really was fascinating. Thanks for investigating and making this alternative set of videos upon discovering the holes. Loved this, really well done too, and looking forward to any confirmation you get. Hope they'll put up fences too. Nice work on the temp ones, much better than the ankle high trip wire 👌

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks! Hope I hear back soon

[@Shawhir]

I think this format is working for you. I loved it. I would have one for you that would take you back to donegal - Gila Island and the history of why people went off the island. Keep going Stephen - you are beginning to snowball.

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks🙂 I’m not going to make every video like this as I put probably over 40hours into this, but I am going to try and incorporate a bit more history or interesting location facts or just telling stories into my other videos. Planning to go back to Donegal Soon so Gila Island sounds very interesting!

[@StephenJReid]

Did you mean Gola Island? It’s on my list 🙂

[@Shawhir]

@@StephenJReid i dont blame yah - thats a good bit if work. Ill just say shipwreck of whiskey or so the story goes. Over that way a bit further south too is inishmurray - easily got to from mullaghmore and it has some stories. You never know - these places could spark some ideas.

[@thekeysman6760]

​@@ShawhirHi. I'm new here and enjoying it! So regards this 'format' you mention, what are the characteristic features that are repeated in each video, please?

[@andyfeys]

Got this video in my feed for some reason. I'm glad I watched it. Loved it. I'll be checking out your other videos.

[@RiffRaffMama.]

It's a wonder they're not full of rubbish. Where I live, old mine shafts were frequently used as rubbish dumps years ago.

[@StephenJReid]

possibly they are, could have been much much deeper originally. Or because they are in remote locations on private land it would be hard to transport stuff to dump in them

[@brennanarmacost1762]

No one has been allowed to live near there. The residents were expelled. Now it's government-owned forest land. No one has lived there since the original people had to lose their homes.

[@brennanarmacost1762]

But you said the forest service was running them, that's not private land. If the government owns something it's public land, whether or not people are allowed there.

[@paulryan2081]

Had me gripped there Stephen in your uniquely modest, self-deprecating but infectious style. 👏 Atb, Paul

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Paul 🙂

[@KJM_Writes]

This whole saga has been riveting! Thanks to you and also Gary for doing the research. Quite the rabbit hole! 🕳️

[@StephenJReid]

Thank you! 🙂

[@chucktheruiner588]

This video had my full attention the whole time

[@IrelandOutdoors]

Amazing Stephen! I’ve been sooo looking forward to that! You have an amazing talent for creating stories on film and what a show that was! It was a real pleasure to work with you and have to say, a real satisfaction getting to the “bottom” of it! Thanks for the shout out BTW, very kind indeed! I was actually getting embarrassed at one point😂 So thanks again and maybe catch you out the hills sometime! ATB

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks very much! I’ve spent so much time in the edit that I was boring myself when watching it so was worried it would bore everyone else too! Still glad I cut it down from 50minutes! Thanks for your help, you may have set a precedent every time I find something old and interesting 😂

[@IrelandOutdoors]

@@StephenJReidAny time Stephen!

[@IrelandOutdoors]

@@StephenJReidoh btw, I would have watched the 50 min directors cut no problem!!

[@StephenJReid]

Haha I cut my first attempt with the camera where I forgot to switch it on, second attempt where it failed because I didn’t use a dive housing, a lot more of various theories that didn’t really go anywhere, a rant about the state of native forests in Ireland that didn’t feel relevant and a 3min long ending where I just went over everything again

[@chrisstewart2279]

Well the final cut worked well

[@richardwarnock2789]

Same builder Oak Island!!

[@annamack5185]

very interesting, well researched! Nice meeting you at Glencoe Mountain Resort today! Anna from Germany

[@andypotts8062]

An excellent video young Stephen, thankfully you got answers to all the questions. Many thanks for all your hard work.

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Andy 🙂

[@mickgilday5714]

Totally enjoyed this. Well done.

[@ervinslens]

Just phenomenal cinematography my friend, captivating and masterfully narrated!

[@StephenJReid]

Thank you! looks like I'm going to have to put more effort in from now on 🤣

[@kena5906]

Respect after you put a barrier around the test hole. That’s what helped make my mind up to subscribe. Great job. Interesting video.

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks for subscribing 🙂 glad you enjoyed the video

[@markcable41]

Great video, very informative. And well done for fencing it off.

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Mark! Hopefully gets a proper fence soon

[@jacobboydsnee4874]

Dude, you are a savage. It takes a very strong person to do what you do, alone.

[@munmelenfrance6710]

This was super interesting Stephen! Exactly the kind of content that keeps me watching. Love local history mysteries. Absolutely brilliant video.

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks! I might have to do more

[@matthewmcquade1]

Absolutely great video steven ! A lot of effort has clearly gone into this so well done you !! Always great work from you 💪💪

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Matthew! Spent a lot more time on this than I expected. Kept thinking I’d figured it out and then new info appeared or I found something

[@robdedrick2052]

Those need to be Capped !

[@CelineNolan]

Excellent research. Enjoyed that thank you 😊

[@mattquantrill101]

Amazing video! I was hooked 💪

[@MarkCodyDirtAndMingle]

That was absolutely brilliant :) Liked and subbed :) Your presenting and editing style was a joy to watch. I'm definitely a fan :)

[@columbiariverdetailing1943]

Beautiful history there! Its on our bucket list to spend a month in Ireland exploring

[@colmwatulikededazio973]

The first person with a good metal detector will have some really great great finds .Veritable treasures to some who collect such. Just 1 coin or artifact can tell you when it was possible last occupied . History is there to be uncovered. Best of luck .Great find. Im a new sub.

[@youn8e]

the Scottish Detectorist in the Bonnie fields of Perthshire 😉‼ John... has a tour guide day job and detects as his very informative hobby💜🙏💜

[@rednome5443]

Such a good video Steve! 😊 Love learning a bit of history, even if it’s less fun than a portal to the upside down. 😂

[@StephenJReid]

🙂😁😁😁 no vecna at the bottlm

[@sarahlister1626]

I'm so impressed by your research into this! And the footage you've recorded. I was quite literally gripped! Well done on a brilliant film 👏 this is excellent

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Sarah! Currently working on another couple of scripts 🙂

[@kevinswain4441]

Great video and history thank you!

[@spacekat8249]

I had just discovered your channel with that video and it was great. One more subscriber! Cheers from France

[@TalRohan]

fascinating stuff. thanks for investigating and sharing.

[@riverbender9898]

Fascinating mystery. Great job. Thank you.

[@Janer-52]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video! Beautiful country, excellent explanations.

[@johncranwell3783]

Love this film, a great story telling

[@graememccullough8922]

Love this format of content mate. Please do more ❤

[@StephenJReid]

Might do!

[@thebigandyt]

Amazing video, thanks Stephen

[@davidpoots8362]

Brilliant, the mundane reason doesn't matter, just loved the story.

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks David 🙂

[@sunspiral79]

Imagine digging those holes by hand

[@StephenJReid]

I’m sure they at least used spades 🤪

[@hypo345]

Admire your tenacity and determination to find out what these shafts were for. It’s always fascinating to be in a place where people have lived and try and imagine what their lives were like. What was the App you used to look at old maps? I have the UK OS map App but don’t think it’s possible to go back in map history as you were doing. First visit to your channel and I have subscribed.

[@StephenJReid]

Thank for subscribing! Not many of my videos are this complex, was an unexpected story. I used the Hiiker app

[@Evasapprentice]

Loved this video, so interesting. Hope you’re having fun on your Cairn, mine arrives in the last week in March, can’t wait. As always keep up the exemplary videos 😊😊😊

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks! 🙂 was out on the Cairn again today, love it. Great for exploring after days of long runs. Have videos planned too 🙂

[@fergus..]

Great video mate thank you for doing the research

[@StephenJReid]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@user-bd2dy4kc7j]

What an excellent video, so good to watch. Most interesting and well shot and produced.

[@StephenJReid]

Thank you 🙂

[@WildCampingIreland]

Very interesting video Stephen, really enjoyed it 👍 well done for putting the markers up 🙌

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks!

[@Fishy1764]

Totally loved the ending wmsl! Great video Steve😊👍

[@StephenJReid]

Thank you 🙂

[@nct948]

very impressed by your research and analysis, with some invaluable help from your correspondent, and for securing the perimeter of these dangerous holes. You would think that some sort of heavy duty covers would make the safest solution but that's beside the point. It seems you have nailed it. You have a new subscriber. Thank you.

[@glendamears3618]

COOL show thanks😊 they need to cover up those wells eh?😮😊❤

[@StefanMarjoram]

Fascinating stuff. Great film!

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks! 🙂

[@TabbyCat69]

Your video got out thank you for sharing I was more interested in the old house and forest very beautiful

[@benpalmer1722]

Great job 👏 thanks for sharing ❤

[@paul6925]

That gopro footage looks like the start of a good horror movie!

[@SmashTheAdventure]

I enjoyed your investigation

[@youlookingatmelookingatyou533]

Bravo Sir, this is a fascinating follow up video.

[@StephenJReid]

Thank you!🙂

[@FrederikDevreese]

Great video & story telling! I do love how the images 'before' and 'after' on 18:50 are showing how it changed!!

[@COOLDUDE29578]

Loved this enjoyed very much

[@AnastasiaCooper]

This video was not only super interesting and beautifully shot, it also ended wholesome imho since you put up a safety measure on your own!

[@talltreesnaturereserve]

Fascinating video, thanks for sharing.

[@StephenJReid]

Thank you 🙂

[@brendadion7868]

Great work! You too, Gary!

[@patriciareid8826]

Only half way through video, but really fascinated with this history. Well done! Brilliant. Of course you would make it safer and alert someone.🙂

[@StephenJReid]

😁 thanks! Have dobe

[@canesvenatici9588]

The ending of the video really wraps up all the loose ends. Thank you for making it safer for the souls who wander into those areas in the future.

[@steveschnetzler5471]

So cool to find old foundations and walls in a forest, just so many questions.

[@StephenJReid]

Gary found out the names of the landowners and the people who lived there. Amazing what can be found in libraries. But can’t reveal any of that as gives away the location plus the video would be too long. The first cut was 50minutes!

[@dianeporrier9218]

I think you did good even putting up temporary fencing to help the water service out.

[@stuartmcneilly2125]

That's brilliant, have wondered this for years . Came across this 3 years ago . Class video

[@StephenJReid]

Hopefully I get official confirmation!

[@debbiebriscoe293]

Thank you for sharing this information as it was very interesting to see. We living a world where there is so much history & you just shared some with this Australian. It’s so fascinating to learn & I love to learn history. Once again thank you ♥️♥️

[@52ponybike]

YT thought I might like this video and boy, they were right! Partly because strange holes in the ground are fascinating and partly because I'm a first-generation Irish American! Just sub'd. I hope to see some from where my dad was born and raised, western Co. Clare, backyard overlooking the ocean. But if not, all of ancient Eire is awesome. BTW, a bit of bragging... Bunratty was our family castle for a time during the 1600s. If ever there, you must partake of the medieval feast. Messy AF but totally worth it.

[@Phoenixonesix]

Fantastic gripping video. Thank you, et al, for making it. ( I hope that's the correct use of et al)

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks! Et al are very grateful too 😁

[@georgesmith1759]

I also become fascinated with these types of things that I often feel I am the only one that notices or cares about them. Occasionally I also get to the bottom of them, but I am not a youtube creator, so I never get to share. This is so well done, thank you and again - I can relate to your journey.

[@Mike-zm5bf]

What a great history lesson, thank you.

[@StephenJReid]

You’re welcome!

[@thomaswarnders5222]

You kidding!!?? Love the bit of history and love the environment

[@robertmccrea1957]

Epic video Stephen. Educational, investigative and fun. Another potential albeit later reason for Mourne Wall?? Well done. Thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you.

[@StephenJReid]

Yeah I think it’s a similar reason the wall was built in the Mournes. I’m guessing it was similar practice all over before modern water treatment was invented.

[@jamesstenner8335]

Really enjoyed this great vid

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks! 🙂

[@magicpyroninja]

The thing I find crazy is that you can load up 200-year-old maps on a hiking app

[@StephenJReid]

Can thank the guys at Hiiker for that

[@cliverichards9850]

Great video, Thanks

[@MrInfinitefinality]

Outstanding !

[@edwardfletcher7790]

Fascinating video, great research ! They're crazy deep¡