Dungarvan Whooper Legend Inspires Canadian Horror Treasure Hunt

Something mysterious is happening in Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada. At the beginning of this month, horror-themed clues for a treasure hunt in the Canadian town sprung up online. Solving them has so far led six people to find $100. But on Friday, May 13, the prize is valued at $1,300.

But who’s running it —and why? Let’s check out all we know so far.

Miramichi Mystery Machine

According to The Guardian, the clues are posted on the Miramichi Mystery Machine’s Facebook group by the gamemaster, Roman Dungarvan. No one knows what he looks like though. True to horror tropes, a well-placed hood and face mask hides his features. And when he posts videos with sound, his voice is distorted.

However, the best horror movies have twists, right? Instead of a vengeful spirit or relative coming back to haunt and terrorize a town, this one seeks to make amends, according to the Miramichi Mystery Machine’s Facebook group’s “About” description:

Roman Dungarvon, descendant of the original Dungarvon Whooper is back in Miramichi to make amends to the city and people for the families dark haunted past. Follow the clues. Find the treasures. Beware of the whooping screams that some still hear at night.

Except, when you know the legend, what does the Whooper have to make amends for? It was his money that was stolen in the first place. And his life too. It would make more sense for him to be after a treasure, not giving one away.

Also, descendant? There’s no mention of him having married, having a wife, or any offspring. Unless it’s long lost kin of some other sort?

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s examine the legend.

The Legend of the Dungarvon Whooper

As the story goes, in the 19th century, an Irish cook named Ryan found work in a lumber camp situated near the Dungarvon River in New Brunswick, Canada. But poor Ryan met a nasty fate while the lumberjacks were away working one day. The camp boss, who stayed behind that day, murdered Ryan and took the money belt he had around his waist —one that was amply filled.

When the lumberjacks returned, they found Ryan’s body on the kitchen floor, sans the money belt. The camp boss didn’t admit to killing Ryan or taking his money, though. According to Memories of Blackville, the camp boss just said the cook “had taken sick suddenly and died.”

Thanks to Mother Nature, the men couldn’t give Ryan a better burial. The best they could do in the raging storm that kicked up was quickly bury him in a shallow grave in the forest.

Well, here’s where the horror ghost story comes in. As they headed back to camp, “above the howling and moaning of the wind came the most dreadful whoops and screams anyone has ever heard.”

It’s said it lasted all night and into the next day, and the men were so terrified, they fled the camp and never returned.

According to Wikipedia, the legend was so well known it inspired a song, “Dungarvon Whooper,” which was published in a newspaper in 1912. Around the turn of the century, a priest also performed an exorcism in the area to try and appease the restless, tormented spirit too.

The Horror Treasure Hunt

Aside from the exception I take with how the legend is being spun for the basis of the horror treasure hunt, there’s no denying it’s a right scary one.

And when I say “exception,” don’t get me wrong. I love the idea of this treasure hunt. I don’t think they’re disrespecting the legend or anything. It’s just that, as I pointed out above, there are plot holes in the storyline.

Still, it’s providing wicked fun in Miramichi, where residents are having fun trying to decipher the clues and interacting with Roman Dungarvon. Because as The Guardian reported, sometimes Dungarvon gives treasure hunters clues in real-time, which both thrills and creeps them out.

But that’s what good horror is all about, right? That and good fun. Which this has proved to be. Miramichians are reporting enjoying getting out, getting some fresh air and exercise (for both bodies and brains), and spending quality time making memories with friends and family.

Whether it’s a random individual or a clever publicity stunt put on by the city and/or local businesses, kudos to them for incorporating horror into such a fun treasure hunt.

Check-In

Would you participate in a treasure hunt like this?