This site uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising.
By continuing to browse, you agree to the use of cookies described in our Cookies Policy.
You may change your settings at any time but this may impact on the functionality of the site.
To learn more see our
Cookies Policy.
Download our app
5 of the most haunted locations in Ireland in honour of National Paranormal Day
IF YOU DON’T believe in ghosts, spirits or paranormal activity in any form, today is just Thursday.
If, however, you do believe in all or any of the above, it’s well worth know that as well as being Thursday, it’s also National Paranormal Day.
Yeah we know; absolute catnip for anyone who’s convinced the gap between the living and the dead is just a quick seance away.
And with that in mind, we decided there was no better time (except maybe Halloween, but bear with us) to take a look at some of the most haunted places in Ireland.
Let’s start in Dublin.
1. The Hellfire Club
Shutterstock Shutterstock
Located in the Dublin Mountains, the Hellfire Club is arguably one of the city’s most famous landmarks, if only for its questionable reputation.
Reportedly used for debaucherous activities by upper-class youth in the 18th century, the building is perhaps best known for a tale which suggests the Devil once made an appearance.
The story goes that members left one seat vacant in the hopes he may one day show his face, and on a stormy night, an unknown individual joined the group, took the seat and scared the bejaysus out of those present with his cloven hooves.
2. Ross Castle, Lough Sheelin, Co Meath
Ghosteireteam / Twitter Ghosteireteam / Twitter / Twitter
Considered one of the most haunted locations in the UK and Ireland, this building played host to a tragic love story in the 16th century.
Built by Lord of Devon Richard Nugent, a.k.a. “the Black Baron” in 1533, his daughter, Sabrina, fell in love with a young man named Orwin, but their relationship was forbidden as Sabrina was English and Orwin was Irish.
After deciding to elope, they took a boat onto Lough Sheelin, but got into difficulty and Orwin ultimately lost his life.
Sabrina is said to haunt the corridors of Ross Caste, with visitors asserting that her cries can regularly be heard in the early hours of the morning.
3. Loftus Hall, Co Wexford
Located on the Hook Peninsula, the large mansion, like the Hellfire Club, is said to have played host to an unwanted visitor in the 17th century.
And like the Hellfire Club visitor, this individual arrived on a dark night, had cloven hooves and disappeared into the ether when his terrified hosts became aware of them.
It is believed the visit started a chain of persistent paranormal events which ultimately required an exorcism.
Today, Loftus Hall is open to the public, with a number of paranormal tours taking place annually.
4. Antrim Castle
HauntedHistory / Facebook HauntedHistory / Facebook / Facebook
Built between 1613 and 1662, the castle was destroyed by a fire in 1922 before being demolished in the 1970s.
Members of the public who have visited the gardens, on which the castle was built, have reported seeing the ghost of a young lady, who died during the aforementioned fire in the 20th century.
5. Leap Castle, Co Offaly
Shutterstock Shutterstock
If a dungeon full of decaying bones is your thing, then the history of Leap Castle will likely appeal to you.
With dozens imprisoned and executed within the walls of the castle, the location piqued the interest of paranormal enthusiasts from all over the world.
Visitors from ABC Family’s Scariest Places on Earth, Living TV’s Most Haunted and SyFy’s Ghost Hunters have heard tell of tales relating to spirits, shadows, and ghosts who have roamed the halls of the castle for centuries.
DailyEdge is on Instagram!
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
National Paranormal Day Scared Sh*tless