Ireland’s hotels, guesthouses and pubs can be spooky, for that special holiday feeling… why not visit a pub with your very own ghost? Or even spend a night with things that go bustling at night? Ireland has its fair share of ghostly happenings and finding a haunted inn is not a difficult task. Add in a dark night with rain whipping through the window panes and you’re sure to feel a few chills running down your spine. But beware of this hotel – and in addition, have a good pint or rest of the night in all the houses mentioned, otherworldly appearances cannot be guaranteed!
Kavanagh’s («The Grave Diggers»)
This 1833 Dublin pub is named after former owner John Kavanagh, who fathered no fewer than 25 children! Commonly known as “The Gravediggers” due to its proximity to the Prospect Cemetery and the frequent custom of ordering a pint by throwing a shovel of dirt from the graveyard against the pub wall. The resident ghost is said to be an older man in old-fashioned tweed, sitting at the bar and enjoying a pint… until he disappears without a trace.
Location: 1 Prospect Square, Glasnevin, Dublin
Ross castle
Situated on the south shore of Lough Sheelin (where you can fish for brown trout), Ross Castle is rumored to be haunted by various specters and ghosts. An investigation in the summer of 2006 did not provide conclusive tangible evidence, but participants agreed that “there was something.” By the way … the haunting is supposed to have started with Sabrina and Orwin’s tragic love story. Honeymoon couples are advised to avoid boat trips.
Location: southwest of Mount Nugent, Co. Cavan
Website: www.ross-castle.com
The Castle Inn
James Clarence Mangan’s birthplace (1803) and one of Michael Collins’ favorite watering holes with Mangan still hanging around today. The poet (his best known work is “Roisin Dubh”) died of cholera in 1849 after a short life fueled by drugs. Today the temperature is said to drop and the mood darkens whenever Mangan’s ghost decides to enter the Castle Inn. Unfortunately, he hasn’t left any new poetry during his visits, and the pub has been modernized.
Location: 5 Lord Edward Street, Dublin
Grace Neill’s
This is reputed to be the oldest original pub in Ireland, built in 1611 as ‘The King’s Arms’. Your host Grace Neill will make your stay a memorable one. Mainly because he died in 1916, at the age of 98. This does not prevent you from frequenting the front bar, straightening glass and furniture, turning the lights on and off. You can also hear her hovering on the second floor and occasionally glimpse an old woman in Victorian clothing in dark corners.
Location: 33 High Street, Donaghadee, Co. Down
Website: www.graceneills.com
Renvyle House
Once owned by Oliver St. John Gogarty and burned down by the IRA, this hotel has been completely rebuilt, which did not eliminate the various ghosts that reside there. Even WBYears have witnessed the restlessness, doors opening and closing, groans, sheets flying or sleepers thrown from their beds, and other inexplicable events. Some guests who got naked have even seen voyeuristic ghosts in the mirror – at least those shouldn’t be vampires!
Location: Renvyle, Connemara, Co. Galway
Website: www.renvyle.com
Castillo Ballygally
This (comfortably converted) 17th century castle has its own ‘haunted room’, home to the ghost of Lady Isabella Shaw. She was imprisoned here because she gave birth to a girl instead of a boy. Heartbroken Lady Isabella seized her son and leaped to her death. Today, Isabella’s knocking on the doors is said to annoy occasional guests, but to be far less terrifying than the cry of a child heard on other occasions.
Location: 274 Coast Road, Ballygally, Larne, Co.
Antrim website: www.hastingshotels.com/ballygally-castle/
Cheeky head
Said to be the oldest pub in Dublin (although the current building is not the original, it is still a Dublin pub favorite) and previously used by Robert Bold “Emold” for meetings. He was hanged in September 1803, but he still visits the “Bronze Head” in spectral form. Usually taking a corner spot and looking for enemies. Quite aptly, today British tourists flock to the pub near the Liffey and even Emmet’s executioner was a regular here.
Location: 20 Lower Bridge Street, Dublin
Website: www.brazenhead.com
Kyteler’s Inn
This pub is named after Dame Alice Kyteler, the ‘Witch of Kilkenny’, because it occupies the land where her home once stood. Somehow she had managed to outlive several wealthy husbands. Allegations of wrongdoing and witchcraft followed. While Alice and her son regained their freedom, their maid Petronella was burned at the stake. It is said that she is the female ghost that haunts the facility, although the most conceited people insist that it is Alice herself.
Location: Kieran Street, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny
Website: www.kytelersinn.com
Dobbins Inn
This hotel used to be a tower erected by Reginald d’Aubin in the 13th century. The family name changed through Dobyn to Dobbins and the beautiful Elizabeth Dobbins began an affair with a soldier. What displeased husband Hugh, who cut them both with his sword? Since then, Elizabeth has been frequenting the house… stroking the faces of the sleeping guests, disappearing into the large fireplace, or just hanging out at the front desk.
Location: 6-8 High Street, Carrickfergus, Co.
Antrim website: www.dobbinsinn.co.uk
Bar O’Brien
This pub is not haunted! But it was one of the favorite places of actor Oliver Reed, known as a heavy drinker of theater and even older. Since his last appearance (facilitated by CGI) in “Gladiator”, Ollie Reed is said to have made occasional comebacks in Churchtown: he is buried in the graveyard in front of O’Brien’s Bar and from time to time can be seen happily greeting drinkers. they are leaving. The pub late at night. It is definitely not a CGI.
Location: Churchtown, Co. Cork
