In 1890, Bram Stoker penned a chilling short story titled Gibbet Hill—and then it vanished. For over a century it remained lost, until 2024, when researcher Brian Cleary uncovered the forgotten manuscript buried deep in the archives of the National Library of Ireland.

Join Professor Sheila Cavanagh as she explores this newly unearthed tale, in which a traveller recounts a strange encounter near the site of a gruesome 18th-century triple murder. The story blends local history with unsettling supernatural overtones—and features a curious group of children, two of whom appear to be of Indian descent. What might this reveal about Stoker’s worldview and his fascination with foreignness, folklore, and the eerie unknown? From Gibbet Hill to Dracula, this talk opens a fresh chapter in the legacy of one of gothic fiction’s most enduring minds.

Tickets £12.50 including a Victorian punch and a 20% donation to a host of restoration projects at Kensal Green Cemetery. Please click here to purchase.

SHEILA CAVANAGH
Sheila T Cavanagh is Professor of English and Theatre at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Emory recently acquired a significant Bram Stoker archive and Sheila has taught graduate classes focused on using this archive and has given a range of talks about Stoker and related subjects. While her primary work is in early modern literature and teaching, she recently completed a Master’s in Public History degree to complement her PhD in literature and to open up new avenues for learning.