Secrets of Castle O'Sullivan
- Thread starter lw86
- Start date
Gahhhh this was seriously my favorite show back then! I can vividly remember singing along to all the songs, and purposely trying to sit near the front right so that when Shamus showed up in a sheet of rain, I got some mist from it. I was so sad to see it go. I personally liked when they added an actor as Shamus.
I think I know my fair share of this castles' "secrets", but there is always room to learn more. I am particularly interested in the various technical issues the show had over the years. For example, one day for whatever reason, the original mirror fell and was broken. At that time, the theater was also evacuated.
Does anybody know anything about this event? Is there a reason the mirror is still there behind a curtain?
One thing I found interesting is that the performer could stop the show for any reason by grabbing a red cloth which was hidden in places around the stage. This was a signal to the technicians to stop the show, which usually triggered “smoke” to appear around all of the main props so people couldn’t see how the illusions worked.
Has anybody ever had an experience like this? Feel free to share stories of weird mishaps from this show.
Does anybody know anything about this event? Is there a reason the mirror is still there behind a curtain?
One thing I found interesting is that the performer could stop the show for any reason by grabbing a red cloth which was hidden in places around the stage. This was a signal to the technicians to stop the show, which usually triggered “smoke” to appear around all of the main props so people couldn’t see how the illusions worked.
Has anybody ever had an experience like this? Feel free to share stories of weird mishaps from this show.
The only time I ever saw a technical difficultly, was when the Leprechaun didn't popout of the chair, and the audio for him just played on. The poor actor looked like a deer in the headlights when it happened, and ended up running to a corner before the "Due to technical difficulties" announcement came on. (He ran to a corner and was talking to somebody.)
And that was the last time I saw the show.
And that was the last time I saw the show.
Here is a new video that I just posted on YouTube. I did not film this video. However, the person that filmed this recently gave me permission to post it on YouTube. This video is in two parts. "Be Careful What You Wish For" has less than 20 seconds missing between the two videos. Enjoy!
This is starring the brunette Erin. I forgot her name.
Edit: I just realized that the gap is a bit worse than I thought. I guess this will have to to for now.
This is starring the brunette Erin. I forgot her name.
Edit: I just realized that the gap is a bit worse than I thought. I guess this will have to to for now.
Wow, a video of the show during it's final season! What a rare find. Thanks for uploading this better quality two-parter.
EnchantedLab posted a full video from 2006. Looks and sounds great too! 
Notice how in this video, Clancey was still saying "lad" a lot and Seamus said "boy" a few times. This was before they removed all of those bits of audio. In most cases they just used clever editing to remove the words. Other times, entire line were cut, which meant cutting back an some musical parts. The other dialog removed was when Aaron told Clancy to "Shut up".
I remember that one of the Entertainment directors at the time said that they originally had Aaron/Erin in mind as a gender neutral character. She said that they forgot about that at some point during development because they were trying to be accurate to the Irish-English of the 1800's with Clancey and especially Seamus.
Apparently these minor changes took up the entire off-season in order to reprogram the show. If they were doing the show today, that probably wouldn't have been nearly as difficult. It might even just be a matter of a quick firmware update.
The costumes were also fixed up a bit after that season to look less bunchy. In 2008 (the final season), they finally added three female Erins.
I remember that one of the Entertainment directors at the time said that they originally had Aaron/Erin in mind as a gender neutral character. She said that they forgot about that at some point during development because they were trying to be accurate to the Irish-English of the 1800's with Clancey and especially Seamus.
Apparently these minor changes took up the entire off-season in order to reprogram the show. If they were doing the show today, that probably wouldn't have been nearly as difficult. It might even just be a matter of a quick firmware update.
The costumes were also fixed up a bit after that season to look less bunchy. In 2008 (the final season), they finally added three female Erins.
Lord Robert said:
He sounds like Peter Cullen who is the voice of Optimus Prime in The Transformers cartoons and movies, Venger in Dungeons & Dragons and Eeyore in the Winnie the Pooh cartoons. I don't know for a fact that it's him but it sure sounds like him.
Here is a new page that I created for Secrets of Castle O'Sullivan. The page is a work in progress, and I welcome any feedback or photos of the show! I might create a more formal website if this page is successful. Feel free to send me a PM on ParkFans for any suggestions, or use Facebook Messenger.
https://www.facebook.com/CastleOSullivan/
https://www.facebook.com/CastleOSullivan/
It's been a while. I have here the first part of a complete set of lyrics from the show. There is more coming. A tremendous thanks to forum member, EnchantedLab for helping me with this. This song has an interesting history since part of it was later removed from the show for unknown reasons. I explain more below.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Be Sure Your Wish Is Wise
(Aaron/Erin=AE, Clancey=Cl)
Be Sure Your Wish Is Wise
(Aaron’s lines are normal, Clancy’s are italicized)
Cl: Got me hat I’ve got me shoes and everythin’ in between,
I’ve got no need to wish for gold; I’m happy being green!
I’ve got my whiskers and four-leaf clovers and me shillelagh on which to lean,
I’ve got no need to wish for things I’ve never been or seen.
AE: I’m glad that’s working out for you, but I’m a little different,
Just think what I could be …
I could wish to be a big tycoon and make profits by the clump!
CL: But when the markets finally fall you’ll land right on your rump.
AE: [1]I could wish to be a sultan, with a harem full of wives! [1]
Cl: And to pay for all your children, you’d need at least nine lives!
AE: Begora! Be wary, upon me Irish eyes,
Be careful what you wish for, be sure your wish is wise.
AE: I could wish to be an astronaut, there are planets to explore!
Cl: You could make a wrong turn at Saturn and be lost forever more.
I could wish to have a flash car – I’d drive it wild and fast!
Cl: You could wrap yourself around a pole and end up in a body cast.
Begora! Be wary, upon me Irish eyes,
Be careful what you wish for, be sure your wish is wise.
(Note: The original version of the show had Aaron ask the audience for feedback while a loop played in the background. The section in italics was later removed: allegedly due to inappropriate answers, but possibly because of difficulty transitioning back to the main song. The lyrics cut to the second “Begora.”)
AE: With all of your advice, my friends, I’m sure that I will find,
A way to make the wish that I should make.
Cl: Listen to me closely, lad, and don’t be so inclined,
To wish for foolish things for goodness’ sake!
Begora! Be wary, upon me Irish eyes,
Be careful what you wish for, be sure your wish is wise.
Begora! Be wary, upon me Irish eyes,
Be careful what you wish for …
I’ll be careful what I wish for.
AE and Cl: Be careful what you wish for, be sure your wish is wise!
[1] Female Erin says: “I could wish to be a princess, with a palace full of guys.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think it's amazing that they tried to fit audience participation in the middle of a song. I would be thrilled beyond belief to see a video of the show in its original format; or at least before they removed the water effects.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Be Sure Your Wish Is Wise
(Aaron/Erin=AE, Clancey=Cl)
Be Sure Your Wish Is Wise
(Aaron’s lines are normal, Clancy’s are italicized)
Cl: Got me hat I’ve got me shoes and everythin’ in between,
I’ve got no need to wish for gold; I’m happy being green!
I’ve got my whiskers and four-leaf clovers and me shillelagh on which to lean,
I’ve got no need to wish for things I’ve never been or seen.
AE: I’m glad that’s working out for you, but I’m a little different,
Just think what I could be …
I could wish to be a big tycoon and make profits by the clump!
CL: But when the markets finally fall you’ll land right on your rump.
AE: [1]I could wish to be a sultan, with a harem full of wives! [1]
Cl: And to pay for all your children, you’d need at least nine lives!
AE: Begora! Be wary, upon me Irish eyes,
Be careful what you wish for, be sure your wish is wise.
AE: I could wish to be an astronaut, there are planets to explore!
Cl: You could make a wrong turn at Saturn and be lost forever more.
I could wish to have a flash car – I’d drive it wild and fast!
Cl: You could wrap yourself around a pole and end up in a body cast.
Begora! Be wary, upon me Irish eyes,
Be careful what you wish for, be sure your wish is wise.
(Note: The original version of the show had Aaron ask the audience for feedback while a loop played in the background. The section in italics was later removed: allegedly due to inappropriate answers, but possibly because of difficulty transitioning back to the main song. The lyrics cut to the second “Begora.”)
AE: With all of your advice, my friends, I’m sure that I will find,
A way to make the wish that I should make.
Cl: Listen to me closely, lad, and don’t be so inclined,
To wish for foolish things for goodness’ sake!
Begora! Be wary, upon me Irish eyes,
Be careful what you wish for, be sure your wish is wise.
Begora! Be wary, upon me Irish eyes,
Be careful what you wish for …
I’ll be careful what I wish for.
AE and Cl: Be careful what you wish for, be sure your wish is wise!
[1] Female Erin says: “I could wish to be a princess, with a palace full of guys.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think it's amazing that they tried to fit audience participation in the middle of a song. I would be thrilled beyond belief to see a video of the show in its original format; or at least before they removed the water effects.
Last edited:
I don’t know why I haven’t posted about this yet, but there is a video on YouTube now of Secrets of Castle O’Sullivan that includes the rain and water curtains. The effect starts at 13:20.
Direct Link to Embedded Media Source
Later, the villain was changed to a live actor that sank through the stage floor through the same trap door used for “It“ in The Enchanted Laboratory.
It’s hard to see in the video, but there was a water curtain with a projection of the villain, Seamus, as well as a rain curtain that went across the entire stage.
I wish the park could find the ambition to do an epic scene like this again.
Direct Link to Embedded Media Source
Later, the villain was changed to a live actor that sank through the stage floor through the same trap door used for “It“ in The Enchanted Laboratory.
It’s hard to see in the video, but there was a water curtain with a projection of the villain, Seamus, as well as a rain curtain that went across the entire stage.
I wish the park could find the ambition to do an epic scene like this again.
Our first visit to BGW wasn't until 2003. While we were quickly impressed by the park's atmosphere, food and staff, it was the moment the wall opened up to reveal the fairy realm at the end of Castle O'Sullivan that we truly fell in love with the place. This show embodied a sincere ambition that feels so rare nowadays.
The fact that they replaced a disney/universal quality show with Elmo/Storage is SAD. I genuinely wish that they could bring back this show to give families something immersive to do in the Killarney village