As the 31 October looms, we’ve rounded up the five scary stories you need to tell this Halloween.
Halloween is the one day where the dead can supposedly walk the earth with the living. So, to channel some spooky vibes, we’ve lined up five scary stories you need to tell this Halloween.
Grab some candles and dim the lights; these spooky stories are bound to make your blood run cold.
5. The Banshee – the ancient Irish legend
Almost every Irish person has heard of the ancient legend of the Banshee.
Brought to life by Irish folklore, the story has been passed down from generation to generation, scaring centuries of children who cower under the covers at the utterance of her name.
The Banshee heralds the death of a family member. When you hear her painful wails in the dead of night, this means the Grim Reaper is closeby.
Although it’s important to remember that the Banshee is not a wicked spirit, her mere presence – adorned in blackened rags, as well as her high-pitched shrieks – is a terrifying force to be reckoned with.
4. The Cooneen Cottage Poltergeist, Co. Fermanagh – the famous Fermanagh poltergeist
Today this rural cottage is yet another ruin that punctuates the remote landscape. But in 1911 the Murphy’s cottage in Cooneen was the site of severe paranormal activity.
At first mere footsteps in the night kept the children awake; then painful groans; knocks on doors; followed by creeks along the floorboards.
However, things quickly turned dangerous when the aggressive spirit began violently throwing plates across rooms and elevating furniture. This spirit did not hide, and its shape could be seen moving through walls.
A local priest from Maguiresbridge performed two unsuccessful exorcisms before the Murphy family emigrated to America in 1913 leaving just the cottage ruins in its wake, making this one of the best scary stories you need to tell this Halloween.
3. Leamaneh Castle, Co. Clare – the disturbing presence
Leamaneh Castle is a ruined tower house and mansion, dating back to the 15th– and 17th-centuries respectively.
Once the site of great nobility, the estate was a stronghold of the O’Brien clan. Around the 1630s, Conor O’Brien and his wife Mary MacMahon, whose nickname was “Máire Rua MacMahon” or “Red Mary”, took rule of the castle.
As her nickname implies, Mary was a fiery character with a foul temper. Should a servant displease her, she would hang them from the castle windows: women by their hair, men by their neck.
She would even torture of maids – should they fail to please her – by cutting off their breasts.
After Conor’s death, Red Mary is said to have married many men, most of whom she murdered.
Eventually, her reign came to an end when her enemies sealed her in a hollowed tree where she died of starvation. Her ghost can still be seen wandering the castle grounds
2. The Hollywood Estate Poltergiest, Co. Cork – the modern horror story
If you’re seeking a modern-day setting, this is one of the scary stories you need to tell this Halloween. While most spooky stories are the makings of myth or set centuries ago, this Hollywood Estate Poltergiest happened as recently as 2009.
This story hit the headlines when a young family began experiencing otherworldly presences in their home. At first, the activity was on the lighter side: the cooker would switch itself on; water would start running leading the sink to overflow.
Soon the happenings became violent. The owner Laura Burke – who was eventually run out of the home – told The Examiner,
“My son Kyle can’t come near the place. He was thrown out of his bed and thrown across the room. I reckon what’s in here is evil. So many people have seen so many things, we can’t all be going mad.”
Hitting so close to home, it is safe to say this is one of the scary stories you need to tell this Halloween.
1.The Dullahan – the local version of a worldwide legend
The Dullahan is one of the most famous myths and legends in Irish folklore. Indeed the concept of a headless horseman may be common when it comes to urban legends, but that doesn’t make it any less spooky.
In Ireland, The Dullahan (aka headless horseman) seldom shows himself to the land of the living, although he tends to favour All Hallows’ Eve to hunt for his next victims.
Riding his demonic black stallion by night, he roams the land looking to kill – should he stop, death will follow.
They say that if you’re lucky enough to be passed by The Dullahan, you will be blinded in one eye or drenched by a bucket of blood. If he stops, however, those unlucky few can expect their soul to be sucked from their skin, right then and there.
Some say carrying gold can fend off the crazed Dullahan, so we’d advise avoiding walking alone this Halloween without the precious metal in hand.
