The most haunted spots in Ireland -

Ireland has ancient history of communing with supernatural forces. The combined influences of ancient druidry, Celtic rituals, and colonial atrocities have left this small island brimming with metaphysical activity. Traditionally, the Irish celebrated Samhain, now called Halloween, on the 31st of October. They believed that the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest on that night. But in certain dark places, the veil is always thin. Click on to find the creepiest sites of Ireland's haunted history.

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The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin -

The Shelbourne Hotel is one of the most famous luxury hotels in Ireland, but also one of its most haunted.

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The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin -

Staff report that guests who stay in one particular suite have run out screaming several times. They report taps turning on and off by themselves, and an overwhelming invisible presence.

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The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin -

Hollywood actress Lily Collins shared her own encounter with a giggling ghost when she stayed at the hotel. The poltergeist that haunts the room is thought to be a seven-year-old girl called Mary Masters who died of cholera in 1791.

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The Hellfire Club, Co. Dublin -

The Hellfire Club is one of the most notorious sites in all of Ireland. The ruined building, which sits on top of Montpellier Hill in the Dublin Mountains, was once a hunting lodge and gentleman's club.

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The Hellfire Club, Co. Dublin - It's said that some of the wealthiest men in Ireland met at this remote spot for nights of debauchery and black magic. The story goes that they left a seat at the table for the devil every night in the hope that he would join them.

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The Hellfire Club, Co. Dublin -

The ruined club is now a popular site for dark tourists and ghost hunters. Visitors say that there is always a red-eyed black cat around the area. Others report poltergeist activity and the ghostly sound of ringing bells. 

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St. Kevin's Asylum, Co. Cork -

This abandoned asylum was built in 1798 by William Saunders Hallaran. He was one of the earliest psychiatrists in Ireland and the inventor of 'Hallaran's chair.' It has a rotating chair that hysterical patients would be strapped into and spun 100 times per minute. 

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St. Kevin's Asylum, Co. Cork -

Paranormal investigators have recorded activity of ghosts including actual sightings and voices of the tortured inmates echoing through the corridors.  

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Kilmainham Gaol, Co. Dublin -

Kilmainham Gaol is an old Irish prison that housed men, women, and children when it was first opened in 1796. During the potato famine, the prison was overcrowded with desperate people who committed crimes simply so they could be fed in jail. 

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Kilmainham Gaol, Co. Dublin -

During the uprising in 1916, the jail was used to hold hundreds of rebels who fought for Irish independence. Many famous leaders were shot by firing squad in the yard. 

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Kilmainham Gaol, Co. Dublin - The dark history of the jail can still be felt to this day. Visitors hear footsteps, voices, and cell doors banging shut by themselves. A restoration worker reported being thrown across the room by an invisible force in the jail's dungeon.

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Leamaneh Castle, Co. Clare -

This ruined castle is said to be haunted by the ghost of Red Mary. She was a sadistic murderer who married 25 times and killed many of her husbands. The legend goes that she also viciously tortured her female servants and kept a harem of young men at the house. 

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Leamaneh Castle, Co. Clare -

Eventually the local villagers killed her by sealing her inside a hollow tree where she starved to death. Her taunting cackles and screams can still be heard. 

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St. Michan's Church, Co. Dublin -

St. Michan's Church in Dublin is one of the oldest in Ireland, dating back to the year 1029. Visitors can explore the large crypts underneath, and even see mummified bodies. 

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St. Michan's Church, Co. Dublin -

The coffins decayed leaving the mummies exposed. The bodies are thought to belong to a crusader, a nun, and a thief. Visitors claim to hear whispering voices and feel icy touches as they move through the crypt.

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Ross Castle, Co. Kerry -

This medieval castle was home to the Lord Richard Nugent, known as the 'Black Baron,' during the 16th century. He was said to be cruel and ill-tempered, but his beautiful daughter Sabina was kind and well liked. 

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Ross Castle, Co. Kerry -

She fell in love with the son of an Irish chieftan, but their families were mortal enemies. They decided to elope but he tragically drowned when they tried to escape in a boat. Sabina returned to Ross Castle and is said to have starved herself to death in despair. 

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Ross Castle, Co. Kerry -

Ghost hunters say that her mourning spirit still wanders the castle looking for her lost love. There are reports of a woman wailing, whispering voices, and cupboard doors opening and closing by themselves. 

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Duckett Grove, Co. Carlow -

The ruins of the castle at Duckett Grove were once home to the wealthy family. It's said that a young girl fell in love with one of the Duckett sons but died after falling from a horse on the grounds. 

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Duckett Grove, Co. Carlow - The girl's mother put a curse on the home called a 'piseog,' to bring death and despair to the family. Many believe the castle is now haunted by a banshee who can be heard wailing in the night.

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Duckett Grove, Co. Carlow -

There are reports that a woman suddenly dropped dead in the grounds, and a gardener went home to find his mother dead after hearing the banshee wail. 

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Charles Fort, Co. Cork -

This former fort is said to be haunted by the Lady in White. As the story goes: a soldier stationed at the fort married a local girl, but had to take the night watch after the wedding celebrations...

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Charles Fort, Co. Cork -

He was so tired that he fell asleep. When the other guards found him they shot him for his negligence. His grieving bride still roams the grounds in search of him. 

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Kinnitty Castle, Co. Offaly -

Kinnitty Castle was originally built in 1209 and was home to druids and poets. It was burnt to the ground by Irish republicans in the 20th century, after which time it was rebuilt to its current state.

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Kinnitty Castle, Co. Offaly - The castle is now a hotel, and guests have reported ghostly activity for decades. The most famous spirit is the Phantom Monk of Kinnity. His name is Hugh and he is said to be relatively friendly.

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Charleville Castle, Co. Offaly -

Charleville Castle was home to the Earls of Charleville for several generations. Their family was plagued by tragedy and saw many untimely deaths. 

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Charleville Castle, Co. Offaly -

The worst was the death of the seven-year-old Lady Harriet. She fell to her death while sliding down the handrail of the staircase and broke her neck. Her ghost still plays in the castle. 

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Drumbeg Manor, Co. Donegal -

Drumbeg Manor is considered one of the most haunted houses in all of Europe after a vast number of paranormal experiences. Visitors of the abandoned manor describe hearing a woman's screams. A man wearing a white suit is commonly seen walking the halls. 

Sources: (Irish Central) (The Journal)

See also: Creepy places in the UK that could be sets for horror films

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