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Barry Fitzgerald - Ghost Hunters International E-mail
Written by FilmGirl62   
Jul 26, 2008 at 10:39 AM

barry - easter islandBarry Fitzgerald, one of the investigators from SciFi's hit show Ghost Hunters International took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for our site.   Barry is an accomplished paranormal investigator with over 17 years in the field.  He's also known for pursuing how to enhance the use of equipment in the paranormal field, most recently the full spectrum camera used on Ghost Hunters International.

What made you decide to pursue your interest in the paranormal? How long have you been in the field?

I grew up in a house that was haunted and I saw some things there and heard plenty and that led to a natural curiosity. I have been researching now just over 17 years.

How were you approached to be on Ghost Hunters, and later as an investigator for the Ghost Hunters International team?

My friends in DC were friends with Jay and Grant and they wanted to know if they had contacts in Ireland and I was recommended and it all spiraled form there.

When you investigated Leap Castle with the TAPS team, you mentioned to Brian Harnois that he might want to try a different approach for a female entity from a different time period. What factors influence your decision on what approach to take? Is it locale, gender, age of the known spirits, the type and age of location, etc. Do any of these also influence your approach, and how?

Really its respect. I tend to treat them like I would like to be treated. If you talk down to a person why on earth should they take the time to respond. However if you are nice it tends to get a response. But like some people alive even they can sometimes not even respond to an act of kindness and walk right on by. 


You're known for finding new uses for the equipment that is currently in use. Have you developed any new uses that are now in common use in the field?

I have been developing the UV theory and materilisation scale, both work together but if misunderstood it can have effects on the case. I'm trying to develop more new equipment which will allow us to utilize this field more and explore much deeper into areas previously untouched.

Does the Sci-Fi crew ever catch anything that may have been missed in evidence review? Or have they caught evidence on their cameras that the teams cameras didn't?

Hi, the fans are very diligent and I thank them for that, but after careful analysis of some scenes we have determined that nothing unusal has been caught with their cameras in GHI.

What are the best/worst places you've investigated?

The best has yet to be shown, but its in the southern hemisphere, the worst was in Germany due to the cold and the malfunctioning equipment and the effects it was having on cast and crew.

Besides ghost hunting, what interests do you have?

I enjoy nature, I like to find a quiet place and rest and recharge. Yoga and travel. I fond travel is good for the soul and allows us to explore and examine other cultures which can vary very much from our own, but in some cases to my amazement even though thousands if miles apart can be very similar in other aspects.

How has the group dynamic changed with the recent switch from Shannon Sylvia to Dustin Pari? What talents and abilities do you feel that you are losing with Shannon, and gaining with Dustin?

We are losing a female and this sometimes can bring unbalance. If we faced females that have previously been maltreated by males this can make it very difficult to make contact. But Dustin's humour is vital for the dynamics of GHI, he is mad in many points and a great family man with good religious values. He is a grounding and we have many discussions into the wee hours.

As an investigator, if you had the choice of investigating anywhere in the world, where would it be? Also, is there any location that you've investigated that other investigators dream of?


There is one location I would like to see investigated. With new changes in equipment it has become possible to investigate one of the most famous wrecks of all time. The Titanic. Its expensive but man, what a case that would be, 1500 souls trapped in the hull of a ship which we can only reach by submarine.

Do you or the team say a prayer or do anything to protect yourselves prior to beginning an investigation?

Dustin maybe, but most of us, no.


Have you had much experience in investigating sites that are believed to have a demonic presence? Have you ever been really afraid during an investigation, and are there any that you would never return to for any reason?

I have came across these many times, however one place in eastern Europe nearly killed me and I have a fear to go back there. I nearly did get the chance to go back and face it but in reality I'm glad it didn't happen.

What advice do you give people that are interested in learning more about paranormal investigations, and maybe getting into that field for themselves? Other than those written or sponsored by Ghost Hunters, are there any books that you would recommend that they read?

Yes, you asked before about a prayer, for those that are interested a book by Dion Fortune, available on Ebay called Psychic Self Defense is a fantastic read and a good start. But reading is the first key, learn as much as possible and don't be afraid to think outside the box.
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