Have a haunted Halloween at Ireland’s ghost-filled locations
Are you fascinated by the paranormal and keen to feel the presence of a wandering spirit? Head to Ireland where hauntings abound.
.jpg?sfvrsn=84f968c4_1)
Charleville Castle, Offaly
Figures recently released about the fast-growing dark tourism market reveal that people are fascinated by horror, the macabre and the paranormal. Increasingly, travellers want to visit sites associated with tragic events or places that offer a glimpse into the spirit world.
This Halloween, those who hanker for a spine-tingling adventure should take a trip to Ireland’s most haunted locations, where they might well encounter an unsettled soul. Here are the top 10 spots.
This privately owned sixteenth-century castle has been called the most haunted castle in the world. It was the scene of grisly murders, and the spirits of the dead can still be felt there. It’s also the home of Elemental, a foul-smelling entity that many claim to have encountered. The castle is not open to the public, but you can book a private tour with the owner, Sean Ryan.
From 1796 to 1924, Kilmainham Gaol held thousands of men, women and children. Among the most famous prisoners were the leaders of the 1916 Rising who were executed there. Guided tours are available that recount the jail’s history and participants have reported cold spots, unexplained footsteps, and apparitions.
Recently featured in the hit TV show Wednesday, beautiful Charleville Castle has a dark secret. It is haunted by the ghost of Harriet, an eight-year-old girl who died on the grand oak staircase in the 1800s. Guided tours are led by volunteers and occasional special events include paranormal investigations.
Manor House, Rathlin-Island
Built in 1760, the Manor House hotel is one of several sites on Rathlin Island that are said to be haunted. Guests of the hotel report seeing a dark silhouette of a woman and the ghost of a child carrying a candle and well as experiencing poltergeist activity. Elsewhere on the island, the ghosts of warriors have been glimpsed at the ruins of Bruce’s Castle.
The imposing mansion set on picturesque Hook Head is sadly now boarded up so tours of the interior are not available. The story goes that the house once welcomed a stranger during a storm, who played cards and then revealed his cloven hooves and diabolical being. Sightings of a ghostly woman have also been reported.
Many tales are told about what went on in the now ruined 18th-century hunting lodge on Montpelier Hill. Was it the site of satanic rituals performed by the Hellfire Club? Did the devil call to play cards here too? What are the ghostly sounds heard after dark? You can follow a hiking trail in the Dublin Mountains to reach the building and dare yourself to stay until darkness falls.
A lot of paranormal activity has been reported in this historic jail, from green mists and the smell of roses to the figure of a man walking the corridors and the whispers of ghostly voices. Take an eerie night tour to discover the history of the jail, where prisoners were held before transportation to Australia, and you might encounter a restless spirit.
Magnificent, medieval Malahide Castle is worth a visit for its stunning interiors, gorgeous gardens and butterfly house. Moreover, fans of the spectral dimension will not be disappointed. The castle has at least five resident ghosts, including Puck the jester and the White Lady, who roam the castle by night.
Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast Co. Antrim
Another prison notorious for its dark history, including the execution of 17 prisoners, Crumlin Road Gaol has many tales of ghostly wardens and crying children. At Halloween, the gaol offers special paranormal tours that take you to the haunted hotspots and tell chilling stories about what happened there and what has been seen since.
A stronghold of the Irish chieftain O’Donoghue Mór, this fifteenth-century tower house is said to be haunted by the ghost of Myles “The Slasher” O’Reilly, who died defending the castle from Oliver Cromwell’s forces. The dramatic building sits on the shores of Lough Leane and guided tours are available.