CAMPAIGN END UPDATE: Our funding campaign has not been successful but we are still searching for backers. Please contact us directly if you are interested to help promote this documentary film and search for answers, at enigma.ireland@gmail.com
Under-Explored Territory Warrants A Closer Look
Centuries old Irish folklore gives special regard to certain lakes and rivers, and includes a list of fantastic water beasts said to guard them. Things took a strange turn when the "Horse Eel" slithered it's way out of legend and into certain modern day lakes. Witnesses describe something not known to science: an absolutely massive hump-backed eel -- with a mane down its back and horse-like head that surfaces near boats and crawls onto land at night.
One lake with plenty of sightings is only 200 feet across. Another, just 12 feet deep. What sets the Irish Horse Eel mystery apart from other unexplained animals is the impossibly small territory they've been seen: mostly in a few small lakes and bogs dotting the quaint district of Connemara, Ireland.
![]()
Your Contribution Gives Voice to New Witnesses & Perspectives. Help Us Make this Film a Reality!
New witnesses are ready to talk. There's the fisherman who reeled it in after massive struggle. In his own words, he's convinced "it stretched from the shoulder of the boat to passed the stern. At least 20 feet. It was like a giant eel with a large head and a mane down it's back." Another witness claims to have seen the creature repeatedly and describes it as "blackish . . . and very big . . . like a dinosaur." We still have more leads in the works.
This is a story which has never been properly told! Each day we'll be committed to finding new witnesses, poring over county records, knocking on doors, patiently waiting with cameras and looking deep into the lakes for answers.
It's been 50 long years since the last real investigation in Connemara, Ireland took place by legendary Loch Ness researcher: F.W. Holiday. We'll be working from his field notes, but with your help we'll also have state-of-the-art equipment to document and delve deeper than he ever could.
Imagine the impact the first clear lake monster photo or video would have! If it could happen: it just might happen here.
A New Team for New Mysteries
We're an independent production group focusing on projects that illuminate the unexplored depths of legend, lore, and the search for unknown creatures. In 2019, we plan to complete our flagship film entitled Enigma, an investigation of the enigmatic lake monsters of Ireland. We will also benefit from consultation with veteran monster hunters like author Linda Godfrey and Richard Freeman, zoological director of the Centre for Fortean Zoology, and Gary Cunningham, co-author of The Mystery Animals of Ireland. These prolific researchers have written over 25 books.
![]()
Travis Wolfe: Producer and Researcher. A world traveler, has explored strange phenomena with locals all over the globe and wants to share those stories with you. He's known for thinking outside the box and will go to extreme lengths in search of the truth. Travis became fascinated with this phenomenon when he happened across it 2 years ago, and is convinced the story deserves to be told on film. He's ready to hit the ground running.
![]()
Allison Jornlin: Key investigator. She's been devoted to the investigation of strange phenomena using critical thinking for more than 20 years. Her YouTube videos have gained national acclaim for skeptical observations of recent Chicagoland Mothman sighting locations, and Allison should prove valuable in Ireland as we scour for witnesses and gain their trust.
Cost Breakdown
Don't let this monster slip away! With the resources to match our dedication, we believe we can get to the bottom of the Irish Horse Eel mystery. By employing some specific technical equipment and good old fashioned man hours waiting, we can finally shed some light on this elusive, age-old enigma and paint a picture of what's really happening in this corner of Ireland.
-
State-of-the-Art-Tech A drone for overhead perspective shots, a handheld infrared device for spotting creatures surfacing in the dark, several overnight motion sensor cameras, and most likely an RC submarine for exploring those cold murky depths where we wouldn't send our worst enemies. More on that below. (2700)
-
Water-Access Inflatable raft, life vests, an underwater microphone, fish sonar and a camera spotting scope to monitor from great distances. (700)
-
Total travel expenses From the States (for two people) to Ireland for localized, hands-on research for quite a few weeks including essentials like vehicle rental and budget accommodation. We will camp the remainder of the trip to keep costs down and within earshot of anything stirring in the lakes; and hold out as long as we can on this budget. The longer we can stay, the more we'll learn. (4300)
-
Production costs To make sure you're getting an awesome documentary in the end, we'll need to purchase high quality musical tracks, hire a narrator, and pay for custom artwork. There are video editing costs to consider, equipment for interviews like proper microphones, high quality lighting and software fees. (1800) We own an HD camera, but with enough funding we'll upgrade to 4K.
![]()
Monster hunting isn't cheap, nor are documentaries, but we think we've found a perfect balance where we'll have the essential tools and nothing more.
What You'll Get
Everyone who donates, be it $5 or $500, will get the film for free. In other words if our film becomes a commercial project, you'll be given free access. If it ends up on YouTube, you'll get it way ahead of public launch. On top of that, we've created four perks to show our appreciation:
![]()
$15
![]()
$25
- Your name in the credits
- Weekly project updates
![]()
$40
- Your name in the credits
- Weekly project updates
- Case notes + bonus footage
![]()
$150
- Your name in the credits
- Weekly project updates
- Case notes + bonus footage
- Skype call to discuss research and theories
Why's This Mystery Important?
From the misty jungles of the Amazon to the snow-capped peaks of Nepal -- and as far back as anyone can remember -- people have reported seeing monsters that simply cannot exist. As things usually go, the creature slips back into obscurity before the trembling witness can reach for their camera. Explorers go looking for the beast but are soon overwhelmed by thousands of square miles of terrain.
In this corner of the world, the Horse Eel's habitat range seems to be the smallest of any unknown creature. Ever. At times in the past, it's sheer size versus the lake it lay basking was laughable. The gadgets we'll bring and time we'll spend looking for this animal make it the most exhaustive search ever to take place. That is to say, we have a fair shot at finding the legendary Horse Eel -- if it exists. Obviously, concrete proof of a creature new to science would be Earth shattering.
We're not a big TV production company, so you're not going to get a documentary that is flash and sensationalism without substance. We know that getting to the heart of the matter involves finding a way into the hearts of the local people. If we can't find it, we'll still tell a comprehensive, heartfelt story that gets us all closer to the truth than ever before.
Risks & Challenges
There are a few minor uncertainties, but we believe they're mere speed bumps and not roadblocks.
- A good quality RC submarine which can stream live video to the operator is beyond our budget. We're looking into renting one, or other more affordable underwater camera alternatives. Getting lake bottom visuals will be a must but we haven't locked down our solution just yet.
- There's only two of us. If you're in the Connemara region of Ireland and willing to pitch in, please get in touch at enigma.ireland@gmail.com and we'll reach out a couple of weeks before we arrive this summer.
- While we don't anticipate any issues and many of the lakes are on public land, not enough research has been done on local laws and regulations for filming and boating, flying drones, leaving overnight cameras, submerging an underwater microphone and so on. We have great respect for aquatic life and will be treading carefully without compromising our search for data. More research in the works.
![]()
Please Donate Now!
It only takes a minute. Just click that big beautiful "BACK IT" button near the top-right of the page (or "SELECT A PERK" on mobile devices). We really appreciate your interest in this mystery, and we will not let you down.
Can't Donate But Still Want to Help?
Not to worry. Here's a few ways you can help us tremendously!
- Share this campaign on your social networks by including our campaign link: https://igg.me/at/enigma-ireland
- Use Indigogo share tools to spread the word to friends and family.
- Contact us at enigma.ireland@gmail.com if you have ideas of how you can be involved.
- Or copy/paste one of these pre-written posts to Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook:
![]()
That's it! If you haven't already, please donate or share! ;)
Travis Wolfe: Producer and Researcher. A world traveler, has explored strange phenomena with locals all over the globe and wants to share those stories with you. He's known for thinking outside the box and will go to extreme lengths in search of the truth. Travis became fascinated with this phenomenon when he happened across it 2 years ago, and is convinced the story deserves to be told on film. He's ready to hit the ground running.
Allison Jornlin: Key investigator. She's been devoted to the investigation of strange phenomena using critical thinking for more than 20 years. Her 
$15
$25
$40
$150
