Arguably, in this day and age, Halloween is most ostentatiously celebrated in the US. However, Ireland can most definitely lay claim to its inception. Halloween has roots in both the pagan festival of Samhain and the Catholic All Souls’ Day.
Naturally, therefore, many of its customs and much of its celebration surrounds the dead.
Growing up everyone remembers being regaled with ghost stories surrounding the local haunted house or castle.
Silhouette of a woman behind the glass.
Whether or not these stories are true, remains to be seen. But it makes for a fun night (or indeed a sleepless night, depending on your disposition).
Some believe people’s spirits can stay around buildings after they’ve passed and others point-blank think this is nonsense.
Regardless, there’s a certain pomp and ceremony around ghosts, and most enjoy the stories.
So, in the spirit of Halloween, we’ve located some of Ireland’s most-haunted buildings that you can visit, that’s if you’re not too scared.
This Co Wexford ‘Big House’ on the Hook Peninsula is considered by many to be the most haunted house in Ireland.
Legend has it that the Tottenham family of Loftus Hall took in a passing stranger during a storm.
The story goes that the young Lady Anne became quite smitten with the stranger, but saw at one point while playing a game of cards – stooping down to pick one up – that he had cloven hooves instead of feet. He was a demonic spirit.
One version of the story describes that the stranger shot through the roof in a ball of flames and Lady Anne went into a state of shock and madness.
By various accounts her family locked her away for fear word would get out. She died a few years later.
Throughout the years many have reported a sense of unease in certain areas of the house
Following her passing she was reported to have been seen wandering through the house.
Throughout the years many have reported a sense of unease in certain areas of the house and it is thought Lady Anne haunts Loftus Hall to this day.
Loftus Hall reopened in 2002 and offers tours on a seasonal basis. For Halloween they have a number of tour experiences, three of which are adult only and one that is a family show.
The most extreme of these offerings is ‘the six-hour lockdown’, which will be streamed live online.
For more information see www.loftushall.ie
Located in Tullamore, Co Offaly, Charleville Castle with its Gothic architecture hosts weddings, festivals, concerts and events. But, amid this party atmosphere, it is believed by many that the castle is home to a ghostly spirit.
It is reputed to be haunted by the youngest daughter of the third Earl of Charleville, a little girl named Harriet who died tragically on the main staircase at the age of eight in 1861.
Over the years there have been many different reports of people thinking they felt her presence in some way. There have also been reports of singing in the middle of the night, as well as laughing and screaming.
Charleville Castle, alongside nearby Kinnitty and Leap castles - thought to also be haunted, have been the subject of numerous paranormal investigations.
They have appeared on TV programmes such as Most Haunted, Scariest Places on Earth and Ghost Hunters International.
There are tours of Charleville Castle daily from 10am to 5pm, lasting about an hour. Outside of the summer months it is advised to ring in advance on 057-932 3040 to arrange a tour
Ballygally Castle with its “friendly ghost on the Antrim coast”, as the owners say themselves, is thought to have as many as three resident ghosts. One in particular is more well-known than the rest.
Popular theory is that it is the ghost of Lady Isabella Shaw, wife of Lord James Shaw, otherwise known as “the Ghost of Ballygally”.
The story surrounding Lady Isabella’s ghost tells that Lord Shaw wanted a son, and when his wife delivered his heir, he locked her in a room at the top of the castle.
Lady Isabella’s ghost is said to be amiable and many have reported feeling her presence over the years
The tale goes that she died while trying to escape the room in search of her baby, falling from the tower window in the process.
Lady Isabella’s ghost is said to be amiable and many have reported feeling her presence over the years in the castle. Ballygally Castle is very proud of its “permanent resident ghost” and they’ve even dedicated a bedroom to her.
Those brave enough can book to stay in ‘the Ghost Room’ at the top of the spiral staircase. Ghost tours with a member of the hotel’s staff can be arranged by calling +44 (0) 28 2858 1066.
For more information see www.hastingshotels.com/ballygally-castle/ghost-room
Read more
Cover feature: Farming Halloween in Galway
Halloween traditions long gone
Arguably, in this day and age, Halloween is most ostentatiously celebrated in the US. However, Ireland can most definitely lay claim to its inception. Halloween has roots in both the pagan festival of Samhain and the Catholic All Souls’ Day.
Naturally, therefore, many of its customs and much of its celebration surrounds the dead.
Growing up everyone remembers being regaled with ghost stories surrounding the local haunted house or castle.
Silhouette of a woman behind the glass.
Whether or not these stories are true, remains to be seen. But it makes for a fun night (or indeed a sleepless night, depending on your disposition).
Some believe people’s spirits can stay around buildings after they’ve passed and others point-blank think this is nonsense.
Regardless, there’s a certain pomp and ceremony around ghosts, and most enjoy the stories.
So, in the spirit of Halloween, we’ve located some of Ireland’s most-haunted buildings that you can visit, that’s if you’re not too scared.
This Co Wexford ‘Big House’ on the Hook Peninsula is considered by many to be the most haunted house in Ireland.
Legend has it that the Tottenham family of Loftus Hall took in a passing stranger during a storm.
The story goes that the young Lady Anne became quite smitten with the stranger, but saw at one point while playing a game of cards – stooping down to pick one up – that he had cloven hooves instead of feet. He was a demonic spirit.
One version of the story describes that the stranger shot through the roof in a ball of flames and Lady Anne went into a state of shock and madness.
By various accounts her family locked her away for fear word would get out. She died a few years later.
Throughout the years many have reported a sense of unease in certain areas of the house
Following her passing she was reported to have been seen wandering through the house.
Throughout the years many have reported a sense of unease in certain areas of the house and it is thought Lady Anne haunts Loftus Hall to this day.
Loftus Hall reopened in 2002 and offers tours on a seasonal basis. For Halloween they have a number of tour experiences, three of which are adult only and one that is a family show.
The most extreme of these offerings is ‘the six-hour lockdown’, which will be streamed live online.
For more information see www.loftushall.ie
Located in Tullamore, Co Offaly, Charleville Castle with its Gothic architecture hosts weddings, festivals, concerts and events. But, amid this party atmosphere, it is believed by many that the castle is home to a ghostly spirit.
It is reputed to be haunted by the youngest daughter of the third Earl of Charleville, a little girl named Harriet who died tragically on the main staircase at the age of eight in 1861.
Over the years there have been many different reports of people thinking they felt her presence in some way. There have also been reports of singing in the middle of the night, as well as laughing and screaming.
Charleville Castle, alongside nearby Kinnitty and Leap castles - thought to also be haunted, have been the subject of numerous paranormal investigations.
They have appeared on TV programmes such as Most Haunted, Scariest Places on Earth and Ghost Hunters International.
There are tours of Charleville Castle daily from 10am to 5pm, lasting about an hour. Outside of the summer months it is advised to ring in advance on 057-932 3040 to arrange a tour
Ballygally Castle with its “friendly ghost on the Antrim coast”, as the owners say themselves, is thought to have as many as three resident ghosts. One in particular is more well-known than the rest.
Popular theory is that it is the ghost of Lady Isabella Shaw, wife of Lord James Shaw, otherwise known as “the Ghost of Ballygally”.
The story surrounding Lady Isabella’s ghost tells that Lord Shaw wanted a son, and when his wife delivered his heir, he locked her in a room at the top of the castle.
Lady Isabella’s ghost is said to be amiable and many have reported feeling her presence over the years
The tale goes that she died while trying to escape the room in search of her baby, falling from the tower window in the process.
Lady Isabella’s ghost is said to be amiable and many have reported feeling her presence over the years in the castle. Ballygally Castle is very proud of its “permanent resident ghost” and they’ve even dedicated a bedroom to her.
Those brave enough can book to stay in ‘the Ghost Room’ at the top of the spiral staircase. Ghost tours with a member of the hotel’s staff can be arranged by calling +44 (0) 28 2858 1066.
For more information see www.hastingshotels.com/ballygally-castle/ghost-room
Read more
Cover feature: Farming Halloween in Galway
Halloween traditions long gone
SHARING OPTIONS