Ireland's Spookiest Places to Visit

Steeped in fairytale, mystery and a somewhat bloody history - the Emerald Isle naturally has its fair share of chilling stories, murdered spirits and friendly ghosts. From old castles to deserted prisons, discover the tall tales and eerie spaces of Ireland on your next Irish vacation. Be warned - these spooky places are not for the faint of heart (insert evil laugh):

Kilmainham Goal, Kilmainham, County Dublin: One of the largest unoccupied jails in Europe, covering some of the most heroic and tragic events in Ireland's emergence as a modern nation from 1780s to the 1920s. Attractions include a major exhibition detailing the political and penal history of the prison and its restoration.

St. Michan's Church, Dublin: Underneath the church are five long burial vaults containing the mummified remains of many of Dublin’s most influential 17th, 18th and 19th century families, including the legendary Shears brothers and the highly decorated coffins of the Earl’s of Leitrim. A visit to the crypt to visit these mummies can be quite a chilling experience.

Charles Fort, Kinsale, County Cork: Charles Fort is one of the finest surviving examples of a 17th Century star-shaped fort, and much of the construction begun in 1678 remains. The fort has two enormous bastions overlooking the estuary, and three facing inland. Within its walls were all the barracks and ancillary facilities to support the fort’s garrison. The fort continued in military use until 1922. The fort is often visited by the "White Lady of Kinsale".

Grand Opera House, Belfast: This hauntingly beautiful opera house opened in Belfast in 1895. Mysterious figures can be seen through the theater. The most famous is a figure in a long, black hooded cloak that is always seen on the stage. The theater is open for performances. Why not take in a show at the spookiest opera house in Ireland?

Ross Castle, County Meath: Ross Castle is known as one of the most haunted places in all of Ireland and even Britain. Several legends and ghost stories are connected with this idyllic castle.

Leap Castle, County Offaly: Legend has Leap Castle haunted by a supernatural entity known as an Elemental. The alleged entity is known as "It".

Malahide Castle, County Dublin: Many castles in Ireland are said to have ghostly inhabitants, but Malahide Castle in Dublin has an impressive five specters that roam its grounds.

Charleville Castle, Tullamore: Located in County Offaly, in the Midlands of Ireland, and bordering the town of Tullamore near the Shannon River, Charleville Castle is situated in Ireland's most ancient primordial oak woods, once the haunting grounds of Ireland's druids.

Kilmainham Gaol

The Kilmainham Gaol is a former prison, located in Kilmainhamin Dublin, which is now a museum. Steeped in Irish history, the Gaol pays tribute to the historic importance of the men and women who were held or died here for their nationalist ideals.

The Kilmainham Gaol offers a panoramic insight into some of the most profound, disturbing and inspirational themes of modern Irish history. Giving the visitor a dramatic and realistic insight into the conditions of those confined here during the 128 years that it served as a prison. When the Gaol was first built, public hangings took place at the front of the Gaol. This practice was mollified in the 1820’s when fewer hangings took place at Kilmainham.

Conditions were poor at best. Prisoners spent most of their time in the cold and dark, given only 1 candle for light and heat. With cells holding up to 5 prisoners: men, women and children, the candle was to last two weeks. Children were sometimes arrested for petty theft, the youngest said to be a seven year old boy, while many of the adult prisoners were deported to Australia.

Over the 128 tenure, the Kilmainham Gaol’s cells held many of the most famous people involved in the campaign for Irish independence. The British imprisoned and executed the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising here. Such names as Robert Emmet and Charles Stewart Parnell are associated with the Gaol.
Kilmainham Gaol was closed as a prison in 1924, by the government of the new Irish Free State. Following lengthy restoration, it now houses a museum on the history of Irish nationalism, offering guided tours of the building. An art gallery on the top floor exhibits paintings, sculptures and jewelry of prisoners incarcerated in prisons all over contemporary Ireland.

The Kilmainham Gaol is a featured stop on Celtic Tours premier escorted motorcoach tour the Celtic Dream. This amazing itinerary is available in 2 options: 12 or 13 days! Other sights you will see along the way: Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Kilkenny Castle, Cobh Heritage Center, Blarney, Foynes Flying Boat Musuem, Cliffs of Moher, Rathbaun Farm, Galway Crystal Factory, Belleek Pottery Factory, Glenveagh Castle and National Park, Fort Dunree, Moville Pottery, Giants Causeway, Titanic Docks & Pumphouse…Wow, what an amazing Celtic Dream. Learn More about this tour.

Kilmainham Gaol


Inchicore Road,
Kilmainham,
Dublin City Area South,
Dublin,
Republic of Ireland