DYK that the tradition of Halloween originated in Ireland? An ancient Celtic festival called Samhain, dates back over 2,000 years and marks the end of summer on October 31. As the founding country of Halloween, it comes as no surprise that Ireland is home to some veeeery creepy places – ranging from old jail cells to castles – and of course tiny Irish pubs too. So, to get you in the Halloween spirit, we’ve rounded up some of the most haunted places to visit in Ireland…
Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast
Located in Northern Ireland, Crumlin Road Gaol, or ‘the Crum’, is reportedly one of the most haunted places in Belfast. Built in the Victorian-era as a prison, there are tons of prisoners who passed through these walls, and a few deceased inmates too. After closing its doors in 1996, Crumlin Road Gaol is now open to be booked for events and conferences. During Halloween, they open their cells to host ghost hunting experiences, paranormal investigations and a scare attraction called ‘Jail of Horror’. Talk about a terrifying scare journey.
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Blarney Castle, Cork
There is said to be a curse on Blarney Castle and the surrounding area. Located close to Blarney Castle is the famous Blarney stone. If you kiss the Blarney stone, you’ll get the the gift of gab. However, if someone removes a stone, rock or even a pebble from near the Castle, misery and misfortune will come to whoever possesses it. There are several stories about visitors who will mail the stones they took back alongside tales of their misfortune that followed!
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Grace Neill’s Bar, Donaghadee
You can’t come to Ireland and not visit an Irish pub. Grace Neill’s Bar is the perfect spooky spot to grab a pint of beer. Located in Donaghadee, this pub was named after the owner, Grace. Today, locals tell tales of an apparition of Grace dressed in Victorian clothes tending to the bar. She sweeps and cleans glasses at closing time…
The Abbey of the Black Hag, Limerick
Located in the village of Shanagolden, Saint Katherine’s Augustinian Abbey was one of the few medieval convents in Ireland during the 1290s. Pope Martin V closed the convent after the locals were terrified of one nun was practicing black arts and witchcraft. Even though all the nuns left, one nun stayed in the deserted convent and developed a blackened face. The locals who dubbed the spot ‘The Abbey of the Black Hag’. One ghost that haunts the convent is the Countess of Desmond who was buried alive under the church altar. Today locals say you can hear her screams and scratching the stone to escape in the early mornings. Yikes.
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Aughrim Battlefield, Galway
Back in 1961, there was a day-long battle between the William of Orange and James II. At the time, both men were fighting crown of Britain and Ireland. Over 40,000 men were in the battle, resulting in bloodshed of James soldiers (the Jacobites). This field is known as the Bloody Hollow because it was soaked in bloods for days after the battle with the bodies of the fallen soldiers left to decay over years. You could say this is why today the Jacobite soldiers’ ghosts haunt the area, standing in the field staring into the abyss.
Leap Castle, County Offaly
Leap Castle is one of the most haunted places in Ireland from its gruesome past, full of massacres, murders and torture. The castle dates back to 500AD and has hosted many spirits and paranormal shows. Its history has been home to Irish clans including the O’Bannons and O’Carrolls. The O’Carrolls hosted the McMahons for a feast, however they poisoned the rival clan just like the Red Wedding in Game of Thrones. Today the McMahons haunt the grounds, alongside a dead priest who was murdered by his own brother at an altar, and the Red Lady holding a knife who took her own life.
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Although these are some of the most haunted places in Ireland, we promise any trip to Ireland will be full of memories. And if that wasn’t spooky enough for you, there are tons of other stories you should check out the most haunted from around the world.
