Feel your hair stand on end at ten of the most unsettling places in Ireland.
Ireland is full of tales, myths, and legends, but certain places have an atmosphere all of their own due to their chilling past.
The spirits of murdered siblings, children, and even the devil himself are said to haunt numerous buildings and ruins across Ireland.
We have compiled a list of ten of the most haunted locations across Ireland, but these are not for the faint-hearted.
10. Hell Fire Club, Co. Dublin – Dublin’s Infamous Dance with the Devil
The ruined hunting lodge sitting on Montpellier Hill overlooking Dublin was once frequented by the infamous “Hell Fire Club”, who revelled in debauchery and black magic.
Legend has it that one particularly hedonistic night, they invited the devil to play cards, but upon discovering his true identity, the devil unleashed his wrath and set the lodge on fire.
Since that night, there have been numerous reports of strange voices and people feeling a grip around the neck from a pair of ice-cold hands. This is certainly one of Ireland’s most terrifying haunted locations.
Address: Killakee, Co. Dublin, Ireland
9. Leamaneh Castle, Co. Clare – the wrath of Red Mary
Residing at Leamaneh Castle during the Cromwellian wars, Mary McMahon, or “Red Mary”, was known to have a raging temper, resulting in some brutal behaviour.
She is said to have hung her servants out of the windows of the castle and is also reported to have cut off the breasts of her female servants.
Married three times, she kicked her third husband in the stomach so hard one morning that it resulted in his death.
Red Mary met her untimely end when she was buried alive in a hollow tree by her enemies, but is reported to still wander among the ruins of Leamaneh Castle.
Address: Lemenagh Castle, Leamaneh North, Co. Clare, Ireland
8. Leap Castle Co. Offaly – murder at the altar
Leap Castle’s main inhabitants were the violent O’Carroll clan. The most shocking tale comes from the “Bloody Chapel”, where one sibling, who was a priest, was stabbed to death by his brother at the altar while taking Mass.
The ghost of the priest is said to plague the chapel to this day. Later, and perhaps more chillingly, a hidden dungeon was discovered in the castle containing 8-foot metal spikes.
Hundreds of corpses were found thrown into the dungeon, some still impaled on the spikes.
Address: EIRCODE ? R421, Leap, Roscrea, Co. Offaly, Ireland
7. Ballygally Castle, Co. Antrim – who’s that knocking at the door?
Ballygally Castle, a 17th-century stronghold in County Antrim, is best known for the spirit of Lady Isobel Shaw, wife of the castle’s builder, James Shaw.
After giving birth to several daughters, an angry James, wanting a son, locked her away in a room in the castle. Desperate to escape what had literally become a living hell, she jumped from the window to her death on the rocks below.
These days, Ballygally Castle is a popular hotel, but guests have reported hearing knocks on doors and soft footsteps in the corridors.
Address: Coast Rd, Ballygalley, Larne BT40 2QZ
6. Charles Fort, Co. Cork – don’t shoot, it’s the Groom!
Charles Fort, an impressive 17th-century fort overlooking Kinsale harbour in County Cork, is most famous for the chilling tale of the White Lady.
On her wedding night her husband was mistakenly shot by a guard who suspected him of being an intruder. Overcome with grief, the White Lady is said to have thrown herself from the ramparts to her death.
Staff claim to have seen a pale woman wandering the walls at dusk, hearing footsteps in empty barracks, and feeling cold airwhere she is believed to roam.
Address: OPW, Summercove, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland
5. Charleville Castle, Co. Offaly – the chilling laughter of a child
Built in the early 1800s, Charleville Castle is a Gothic-style structure in County Offaly.
The castle is said to be frequented by the spirit of 7-year-old Harriet Bury, who, in 1861, fell to her death while attempting to slide down the banisters of the grand staircase in the castle.
Visitors to the castle claim to have heard footsteps running through the corridors and, distressingly, the laughter of a child.
Address: Charleville Demesne, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Ireland
4. Malahide Castle, Co. Dublin – choose wisely who you kiss
Malahide Castle in Dublin was home to the powerful Talbot family for nearly 800 years. The castle is said to be home to several restless spirits who haunt the building, the most famous being Puck, a court jester.
Puck fell in love with a noblewoman but, after being discovered in an amorous embrace with his forbidden lover, was killed.
Another ghost at Malahide, Lady Maud Plunkett, apparently married twice in one day after her first husband died in battle.
After her death, her distraught spirit is said to wander the castle corridors in a wedding dress chasing the shadow of her deceased husband.
Address: Back Rd, Malahide Demesne, Malahide, Co. Dublin, Ireland
3. Kilmainham Gaol, Co. Dublin – the incarcerated child who haunts the corridors
Kilmainham Gaol, built in 1796 in Dublin, is rumoured to be haunted by a former child inmate from the 1800s. Incarcerated for petty theft, the child died while locked in his cell.
After this tragic event, prison guards began reporting hearing the sound of a child crying, and some even said they saw the faint outline of a small child in the hallway, staring silently back at them.
Address: Inchicore Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08 RK28, Ireland
2. Clifden Castle, Co. Galway – echoes of the Famine live on to this day
Clifden Castle, standing on the Atlantic Coast of Connemara, has been abandoned as a haunted ruin since the times of the Great Famine, during which the estate suffered greatly.
Local tradition says that the spirits of perished tenants, desperately seeking mercy and shelter, linger among the ruins to this day.
Shadowy figures and strange echoes emanating from among the ruined stone walls at dusk have been reported by walkers.
Address: Clifden Demesne, Co. Galway, Ireland
1. Loftus Hall, Co. Wexford – don’t play cards with the devil
This particularly chilling legend dates back to the 18th century, when during a violent storm, a mysterious stranger arrived at Loftus Hall seeking shelter.
Admiring the visitor, the young lady of the house invited him to join the family for a game of cards. When Anne accidentally dropped a card and bent to pick it up, she noticed the visitor had a cloven hoof instead of a foot.
Terrified at realising her guest was in fact the Devil, Anne began to scream uncontrollably, causing theDevil to shoot out through the roof in a ball of fire.
Anne never recovered from her ordeal and lost her sanity,dying a few years later. But, to this day, strange noises, shadows, and an uneasy feeling inside the dark mansion have been reported.
Address: Loftushall, Fethard, Co. Wexford, Ireland
