Haunted Histories in the Home of Halloween
Huntington Castle, County Carlow
Huntington Castle is a marvel. Lived in by the same family for generations and the ancient seat of the Esmondes, it dates from the 17th century and is full of intrigue. In the past it has hosted gatherings of druids, has links to the psychic world and it even has a temple to the goddess Isis in the basement. It’s no surprise then that the castle and the grounds – the site the castle is built on was previously occupied by an abbey in the 13th century – are said to be haunted. The castle is now a B&B and makes an exceptionally atmospheric place to stay, especially at Halloween, when wintry fog curls around the grounds and things go bump in the night.
Duckett’s Grove, County Carlow
Looking at the weathered ruins of Duckett’s Grove, it’s easy to imagine it in its heyday of glittering parties and Gothic glory. Look closer and you might sense something supernatural at work… Legend has it that William Duckett’s scorned lover placed a curse on the family, summoning a banshee whose dreadful wails foretold a sudden death within the family. The voices of chattering servants and galloping hooves are said to echo across the grounds, and some even tell tales of a phantom horse and carriage, said to be steered by William himself…
Malahide Castle, County Dublin
Lots of castles can claim a ghost or two… in Malahide Castle, they have five! This impressive medieval castle has a history that stretches back more than 800 years to when King Henry II gifted the lands and harbour of Malahide to Richard Talbot for his services in 1185. According to the castle itself, the ghosts here “are as much a part of the estate as the ancient woodlands and the elegant rooms”. As well as a lady in white who is said to wander the rooms and corridors of the castle, this majestic building is also home to a broken-hearted court jester named Puck, who haunts the turret where he used to live. To hear more about the castle’s history and ghouls, a castle tour is the way to go.
Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast
Crumlin Road Gaol is a historic Victorian-era prison that once housed some of Belfast’s most notorious characters. It also happens to be one of Northern Ireland’s most haunted places. Here, tortured souls of deceased inmates pace the wrought iron walkways and wail in the night. To get the best out of your experience, join a guided tour which brings you to areas of the gaol you don’t get to see otherwise.
Carrickfergus Castle, County Antrim
He may have an unthreatening name, but you might not feel so friendly towards Button Cap when you spot him walking around Carrickfergus Castle at night. Why? Because he’s said to carry his head under his arm. There have been many reports of ghosts within this 800-year-old castle over the years, but Button Cap is the most famous and is thought to have been a soldier named Timothy Lavery. If Button Cap isn’t around, don’t worry, there’s more than enough at this imposing and impressive castle to keep you entertained.
Bloody Chapel, Leap Castle, County Offaly
Behind the medieval walls of Leap in County Offaly are stories of murder and betrayal. Like in 1532, when two ambitious brothers vied for the family seat. One, a priest, was giving mass in the castle chapel when his brother ran in and plunged a sword into his heart on the altar of what’s now called the Bloody Chapel. And then there are the skeletons discovered on a secret spike, but that’s a story for another day…
St Columb’s Cathedral , Derry-Londonderry
Don’t disturb the dead – unless you want to be haunted. Such was the case at St Columb’s when renovations in 1867 disturbed the grave of former bishop William Higgins. His tomb was moved inside the cathedral and that’s when things started to get weird. Workers began hearing footsteps in the locked gallery, apparitions appeared in photographs and the organ would sound without a soul near it.
Ghost River, Kilkenny
Home to the first-ever witch trial in Ireland, Kilkenny city is no stranger to the supernatural. During a great flood in 1763, a crowd was crossing John’s Bridge when it collapsed, drowning 16 people in the swollen River Nore below. Ever since, locals and visitors tell of eerie ghostly figures in the river, scratching at the banks, leaning where the current structure stands and rising on the morning mist.
Loftus Hall, County Wexford
Here’s one to watch – Loftus Hall in County Wexford is a large mansion house on the stunning Hook Peninsula in County Wexford. It’s also one of the most haunted places in Ireland and stands on the site of an original 12th-century castle. In the 17th century, it became the main residence of the Loftus Family, specifically in… well, 1666. Legend has it that the devil himself visited Loftus disguised as a dark stranger seeking shelter, and for many years the house ran spine-tingling ghost tours. Sold in 2021, Loftus Hall is now under renovation and will soon be reopened as a luxury hotel. Do you dare visit?