Folklore Of Tignish

There is a rich tradition of folklore on the Island, and this tradition has been preserved in Tignish. Today, you will still hear people talking about tales associated with the train wreck in Tignish during 1932 and the Phantom ship found off various shores of P.E.I. The following are a few tales that have been recorded over the years.
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The Hawbush Treasure

Buried treasures have been attracting diggers for many years, but no one has ever admitted to finding the Hawbush Treasure. The HawBush Treasure is like any other hidden treasure story: the treasure itself must be dug in complete silence. One word alerts the spirits that are guarding the treasure. Another similarity with these treasure stories is that a mysterious event occurs which causes diggers to panic and speak.

A loud frightening sound is heard once the digging begins, and it is usually described as a horse and carriage galloping, as if a runaway, but mysteriously the sound comes from somewhere that no sound should be heard. This sound usually surprises the diggers making them utter a sound, and once this happens, there is no chance of ever finding the treasure again.

It is said that it will take a deaf man to break the spirit's hold on the treasure.

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Blimphey's Ghost at Tignish Run

It is said that Blimphey had come over from Ireland and lived here for a while. He soon got lonely and started to brood. One day, they found him hanging in the rafter of his shed. Since it was against the law at that time to bury anyone who committed suicide in a graveyard, he was placed in a shallow grave by MacLeod's Pond. Years later, that bank caved in and the grave was exposed, showing that there was nothing in the grave. Since then, Blimphey walked the road he use to tread in restless yearning of some unknown prize.

Blimphey seemed to find his peace around 1925, for there are no documented reports of his presence since then.

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