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EXPLORE HAUNTED IRELAND
In search of
Ireland's Ghosts...
Fáilte (Welcome)
St. Patrick, County Meath, by the Haunted Traveler
Hill of Tara, by the Haunted Traveler
Hill of Tara. Visit the
ancient site of Ireland’s high kings and pagan community prior to the emergence
of Christianity. This was the site of the original renaissance faire.
Newgrange, by the Haunted Traveler
New Grange. Visit the 5,000 year old megalithic cemetery (burial mound).
During the Winter Solistic the tomb is perfectly light. Visit:
www.knowth.com/newgrange.htm
Haunted
Derry:
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Bloody Sunday - on January 30th,
1972 in Derry, Ireland 13 civilians taking part in a civil rights march were
killed by military gunfire. The Derry civil rights march ended in 13
deaths, most of them teenagers. A week later, in Newry, another civil
rights march was held. Close to 50,000 people took par in the two-mile parade
which by changing the route, avoided the British Army's heavily defended
roadblocks. It was a powerful and effective show of contempt (excerpt from the
Derry Supplement, 1972). Today there is an annual memorial ceremony in Derry to
remember those who died. Their spirits live on in those still fighting for peace
in Northern Ireland.
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Haunted Dublin:
| Dublin Castle (1204) Invaders to the castle were
beheaded and displayed on the castle wall as a deterrent to others. Hundreds
of decapitated bodies are buried under the castle. Their vengeful souls still
roam the castle. Tour guides report poltergeist activity. Visit:
www.dublincastle.ie |
| Marsh’s Library (1701) located next to St. Patrick’s
Cathedral in Dublin. This ornate library houses a collection of rare books and
is reportedly the site of ghostly activity. Visit:
www.stpatrickscathedral.ie
St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2. Has a long history of being haunted. |
| Malahide Castle located in Malahide Co., Dublin was the
home of Lord Talbot and his descendant’s form 1185 to 1973. During the 1600’s
the Talbot’s were supporters of King James II (Catholic). Fourteen family
members were killed were killed in the Battle of the Boyne on July 1, 1690
supporting King James II with other Irish Catholics in a battle against
William the Orange (Protestant). This historic battle began the long struggle
between the Catholics and the Protestants over political rule of Ireland. The
castle has a long history of being haunted. Open to the public. |
| Thoor Ballylee (1500’s) located in Gort, County Galaway
is the summer home of famous Irish poet William Butler Yeats. Yeats studied
the occult and his home is reportedly haunted. Yeats wife was a Spiritualist. House tour and book shop. Open
to the public. |
Waterfall at Yeat's house, taken by Larry Mens
| Visit the fairies in Silgo (picture of the Fairy Mound taken by Larry Mens), |
| Haunted home for sale in Kesh (picture taken by Larry Mens). |
| The Kilmainham Gaol (1789)
Prisoners from the United Irish
Rebellion of 1796, the Emmet Rebellion of 1803, the Great Famine of 1845 to
1851, the Young Ireland Rebellion of 1848, the Fenian Rebellion of 1867, the
Land War of the 1880s, the Easter Rising of 1916, the War of Independence and
the Irish Civil War were held and often executed here. Famous leaders in
Ireland’s independence were imprisoned here, such as Robert Emmet, Charles
Stewart Parnell, James Connolly, and Joseph Plunkett, plus hundreds of falsely
accused political prisoners. Political prisoners were executed by firing squad
in the courtyard. Innocent children were also imprisoned here for being poor
and orphaned. This prison has been featured in many movies, such as “In the
Name of the Father.” Tours are offered of this dark, historical structure that
stands as a reminder of the troubles in Ireland that are still being fought.
While not known specifically for being haunted, visitors can definitely feel
unsettled energy here. Inchicore Rd. Kilmainham, Dublin 8. 453-5984.
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Visit Ancient Ireland in County Meath
Seeking spirits of
Irish Political Prisoners from long ago and not so long ago…
Haunted Irish Prisons
Ireland has several dismal,
yet historical prisons that have interned Irish Republican Political prisoners
for decades. Despite the advance of the Good Friday Peace Agreement some
political prisoners remain along side spirits who never found freedom.
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Long Kesh (aka The Maze) –
located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland - opened in 1971 and closed in 2000.
Famous prison where Bobby Sands and fellow Republicans held their deadly hunger
strike. There is a current debate as to save the prison as a historical
structure or turn into a commercial property. Visit : Bobby Sands Trust at
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Spike Island
http://www.spikeisland.info/historical_info.html
- a place of internment of Irish Republican political prisoners.
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In the late 1840s
the practice of sending convicts to Australia and Van Diemens land diminished
and Spike Island was used instead as a Penal colony until 1883. During this time
a very high mortality rate among convicts leaves many unanswered questions about
the regime that prevailed there. The practice of burying convicts in unhallowed
ground and unmarked graves saw the western end of the island used as a convict
burial place. Many of these graves remain there today. Sign the on-line
petition to save the prison as historical site.
Haunted Irish Castles:
| Loughcrew located in Oldcastle are ancient tombs known as “the hill of the
witch.” Guided tours available mid June to mid September otherwise it is best
to call ahead and make arrangements: 049/41256. |
| Castle of Lexlip,(1171) Reportedly haunted.
Main Street
Leixlip, County Kildare www.kildare.ie/leixlip/places-of-interest/leixlip-castle.asp |
| Ardgillan Castle (1738) is located north of Dublin in
Balbriggan on the eerie Irish Sea coast. This gothic castle is reportedly
haunted. Open to the public. Visit:
www.iol.ie/~cybmanmc |
| Leap Castle
http://www.simonmarsden.co.uk/books-PhantomsoftheIsles-Sample.htm |
| Ballygally Castle , Coast Rd, Ballygally, Co. Antrim
- Built in 1625, located in Northern Ireland and is reportedly haunted by a
friendly ghost. |
When in Ireland, visit the spirit of Irish authors at:
| James Joyce Cultural Centre 35 North Great George’s St. Dublin. James
Joyce (1882-1941) was born in Dublin and wrote the famous Ulysses and the
great horror story Turn of the Screw. |
| Dublin Writers Museum, 18 Parnell Square North, Dublin. Historical
exhibits of Irish literature, bookstore and café. |
| Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, worshiped at St. Ann’s Church at Dawson
St. in Dublin |
| Oscar Wilde, famous playwright, lived at No. 1 Merrion Square in Dublin. |
| WB Yeats, poet, lived at No. 58 Merrion Square in Dublin. |
To learn more about the
haunting, dark
history in Northern Ireland and recent developments in the peace process check out these sites:
| Bobby Sands Trust |
Support Peace ,
Unity, and Freedom in
Ireland
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