WHETHER YOU JUMP at things that go bump in the night or get a thrill from hearing ghost stories by candlelight, there’s no denying that Ireland is a country steeped in supernatural history.
From the ghost of a monk who haunts the grounds of a castle in Co Offaly to the spirit of a devastated bride in Co Cork, there is no shortage of spooky sightings around the country.
Read on to discover seven scary ‘happenings’ in Ireland that might make you want to sleep with the light on tonight…
A classic ghost story, this tale focuses on Mrs Murphy, her son and five daughters who lived in a cottage near Brookborough, Co Fermanagh in 1913.
According to reports by multiple people who visited the cottage at the time, the spirit was determined to evict the family from the house. During both night and day, rapping could be heard in the cottage – sometimes to the rhythm of a song. Bed sheets could be seen moving to their own accord, pots and pans “would suddenly fly across the kitchen” and pillows would be pulled from beneath the girls’ heads.
Eventually, after multiple failed attempts to rid the cottage of the poltergeist, the family were forced to flee – and the cottage remains uninhabited today.
Built in the early 1500s, Leap Castle has a turbulent (and terrifying) history. Having been used as a fortress, a tomb and as a home, countless supernatural events are said to have taken place at Leap Castle.
At the property’s ‘bloody chapel‘, people passing by at night have reported seeing bright light streaming through the windows, while the ghost of a priest who was murdered there is said to remain on the grounds. Among other reports, a woman in a red dress (known as The Red Lady) is reported to have been seen at the property carrying a dagger.
Located in the ‘haunted triangle’ of Ireland, Kinnitty Castle is a four-star hotel with a difference. The building is said to be haunted by a monk named Hugh, who has appeared in front of guests of the hotel and even speaks to one select staff member.
During the Norman period, an Augustinian abbey was built near the castle, where the monk is said to have come from. It’s believed that he roams the castle to protect it and “ensure that the era is not forgotten.”
Located just outside Kinsale, Charles Fort is a 17th-century military structure that’s home to a ghost, known as The White Lady. According to legend, The White Lady is the ghost of a local girl who married a soldier. On their wedding night, it’s said that her husband fell asleep while covering a post – and was shot dead by the bride’s father without knowing it was his new son-in-law. Realising what he had done, the bride’s father threw himself off the ramparts.
Upon learning of the tragedies, the bride jumped to her death from one of the fort’s walls. Ever since then, she is said to haunt the fort in her wedding dress.
Originally built in 1702, Wicklow Gaol closed its gates (known as the ‘Gates of Hell’) for the final time as a prison in 1924. Today, it’s one of the country’s most haunted places to visit thanks to its history of housing inmates who were starved and tortured.
In 2010, Wicklow Gaol’s terrifying status was further confirmed by the visit of Ghost Hunters International and their discovery of paranormal activity. During tours of the gaol, visitors have reported seeing ghosts, hearing children crying and seeing a young boy in the school room.
Self-proclaimed as Ireland’s most haunted house, Loftus Hall is a large mansion house located on the Hook peninsula with a particularly creepy back story – and tours to go with it. The story goes that one stormy night, a stranger on horseback approached the house after his ship was driven into the harbour. He was invited to stay at the residence by the owners at the time, the Tottenham family.
Young Lady Anne Tottenham is said to have fallen for the man, and one night noticed that he had cloven hoofs instead of feet. Realising what she’d seen, the man is said to have shot through the roof in a ball of flames. Following this, Anne never recovered and was locked in the tapestry room until she died a few years later. Sightings of a young girl have been reported at the property since, with a viral photo from 2014 showing the ‘ghost’ of a girl and old woman at Loftus Hall.
A four-star hotel located along the Antrim coast, Ballygally Castle has one room that’s not available for booking. Some 400 years ago, it’s said that Lady Isabella Shaw, who lived in the castle, was locked alone in the room by her husband Lord James after she gave birth to his heir.
There are two tales surrounding Lady Isabella’s death. The first is that while she was trying to escape to reach her child, Lady Isabella fell to her death from the tower, while the second is that she was thrown from the window by her husband. Lady Isabella is said to wander the corridors of the old castle, while guests can visit her old room (if they dare).
Looking for more supernatural happenings this September? Head to cinemas now to catch must-see Irish comedy Extra Ordinary - released yesterday, Friday the 13th. Starring Maeve Higgins, Barry Ward, Will Forte and Claudia O’Doherty, Extra Ordinary tells the story of a woman who must use her supernatural talent to save a possessed girl from being used in a satanic ritual.
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