Spirits, myths and magic: explore Ireland’s spooky side

Ireland has an ancient history and countless local legends involving mythical beasts and otherworldly spirits. Discover old magic, tormented ghosts and cursed mansions on your next trip, if you dare…

Where fairytales come true

In the modern world, it’s easy to dismiss magic. But Ireland has a longstanding relationship with magical beings, especially the fairy. Some of Ireland’s most famous people were believers, including Samuel Beckett and WB Yeats.

The places where these beings are said to dwell are known as fairy forts. There are examples all over the country, including the Hill of Tara in Co Meath and Grianán Ailigh in Co Donegal. And if you disturb them, woe betide you. It’s said that angry fairies are behind a whole string of occurrences from road subsidences to bankruptcy.

Black magic in the mountains

Looking for a place for a hike just outside the city? The Dublin Mountains are perfect for casual or seasoned walkers. During your trek, you might stumble upon an eerie building on Montpelier Hill known as the Hell Fire Club.

 

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Built in the early 18th century on top of an ancient grave, this structure has a history of occult activities and unusual guests. It’s said the devil has even appeared. It was the club house of a particularly wild bunch of upper-class Dubliners who had a reputation for meddling with dark forces.

Cut-throat sibling rivalry

Leap Castle in Co. Offaly has had a turbulent history. Since the early 1500s, there has been disastrous fires, fierce rivalries and cold-blooded murders.

The so-called Bloody Chapel in the Castle is at the heart of the most terrifying tales. Rumour has it that a power struggle in the 1530s lead a man to kill his own brother, who was a priest, while he was saying Mass. Now his ghost can be seen on the Chapel stairways.

There’s also a small chamber in the Chapel that was used to imprison dead and dying men the ruthless owners had poisoned. There are stories of cartloads of skeletons being hauled from the dungeon, shocking locals to their core.

When the Devil came to stay

An imposing mansion on Wexford’s Hook Peninsula, Loftus Hall is known as one of the most haunted houses in Ireland.

There’s been a castle on this site since 1170 when a Norman knight made it his home. It’s been the residence of several prominent families and nuns, as well as a short stint as a hotel. But creepy stories always lurk in the background…

After a sea storm in the 1700s, a stranger approached Loftus Hall on horseback and it was love at first sight for young Lady Anne Tottenham. After a few days of romance, she spotted that he had hooves instead of feet. The stranger then burst into flames, revealing his true identity as the Devil. She died soon after, but there have been sightings of her spirit wandering the grounds ever since.

Egyptian curses on the Wild Atlantic Way

With its stunning Wild Atlantic Way views, Sligo is breathtaking. Head to Ballysadare Bay and see a magnificent 18th-century building that contrasts with the rugged natural landscape.

But Seafield House is said to be plagued with curses from far away lands. Former owner Owen Phibbs was a 19th-century archaeologist who travelled extensively across the Middle East and Egypt. He proudly displayed relics from ancient ruins in the house when he returned. However, there were soon reports of moving furniture, dark figures lurking and the entire house shaking violently.

The Phibbs family enlisted Jesuit priests to exorcise the building for weeks, but they couldn’t free the building of its dark spirits. It’s now abandoned and in ruins.

Dracula the Dubliner

Did you known Count Dracula is from Dublin? Well, at least Bram Stoker who dreamt up the iconic Gothic character is.

Born in 1847 in Clontarf on Dublin’s northside, Stoker was bedridden for much of his childhood. This encouraged him to develop his impressive imagination.

You can get up close and personal with the story and Bram Stoker’s life when you visit Castle Dracula. Located just a short walk away from where Stoker was born, this is a haunted house experience with a difference. This interactive show lets you meet characters from the famous story and watch a theatre show in a spooky graveyard.

Fly to Ireland from your local airport and start planning your own spooky road trip.