HAUNTED UK AND IRELAND
October is a month known for harrowing haunts and spooky spectacles. For those with a preference for the paranormal, we’ve gathered some of the most haunted locations in the U.K and Ireland. Are you brave enough to visit them?
Edinburgh Vaults
The vaults of the South Bridge in Edinburgh, one of several bridges crossing the city and joining at the fortress of Edinburgh Castle, was built in 1785. Throughout the years, it was inhabited by Edinburgh’s poor, who lived in terrible conditions, surrounded by blood, flood water, waste and disease. Crime of all sorts took hold in this underground dwelling as well, and so much negativity and even violence created a hotbed for paranormal activity. A dark presence known as “Mr. Boots” has a violent history with visitors, as rocks have been thrown and people have even felt pushed by an unseen force. Others hear his footsteps or voice throughout the 120 dark rooms in the vaults, and the uneasy feeling pervades the area. Maybe you’ll run into little Jack, the spirit of a young sweet boy who is often seen wearing a blue suit. He often holds hands and tugs on clothes, and is drawn to women and children. No one knows who he was in life, but it seems in death he is still searching for family and friends. Many people have felt faint while touring the vaults, or even anxious, and plenty of investigators have captured ghost activity on camera and on recording.
Leap Castle, Ireland
Leap Castle is often considered the world’s most haunted castle. Built in the early 1500s, this fortress has a history of bloodshed and death. Originally serving as the stronghold for the O’Carroll clan, it was used to guard the Slieve Bloom Mountains until it was taken by the English in 1642. In 1922 the castle was looted and burned, and restoration efforts began in the 1970s. Restoration work continues, though under the watchful eyes of several spirits. The Governess, dressed in Victorian clothing has been seen by the fireplace in the main hall, or with the ghosts of Emily and Charlotte, two young girls frequently seen playing in the stairwell. Emily supposedly died falling from the castle’s battlements, and people have seen a girl falling off of the roof and disappearing before hitting the ground. Her screams have been heard more than once by the castle’s residents. The Red Lady has also been known to strike fear in visitors’ hearts; she is a tall woman dressed in red, and often seen raising a dagger. People feel cold and uncomfortable in her presence, and would do well to avoid her blade! There are several places on the property with an eerie feeling, and documented paranormal activity, including The Bloody Chapel, The Priest’s House, and the Murder Hole Room, thanks to the three cartloads of skeletons removed from the property and the string of violent deaths and even historic murders.
Loftus Hall, Ireland
Loftus Hall is not for the faint of heart; this massive country house is said to have been visited by the devil himself! Originally built in 1350 during the Black Plague, this Hall was known as Redmond Hall until the 1650s when the Loftus Family gained ownership. Long ago, the Tottenham family, residing in Loftus Hall, invited a stranger to stay with them one stormy night. Lady Anne, young and sweet, immediately took to the stranger. They grew very close in a very short time. But one night while playing cards, Lady Anne dropped a card on the floor. When she bent down to pick it up, she looked under the table, and saw that the stranger had cloven hooves instead of feet! She exclaimed in fear, and supposedly the stranger leapt up, and shot up through the roof in a ball of flames. Lady Anne was driven mad by this encounter with the fiery devil, and locked in the tapestry room by her family until her death years later. Her spirit is often seen wandering the house at night, and visitors have had many unpleasant nights interrupted by strange sounds, poltergeist activity and panic attacks.
Hellfire Caves, England
This series of tunnels and caverns, comprised of a quarry expanded in the mid 1700s, provided building material to repair a three-mile long road connecting West Wycombe and High Wycombe. However, Sir Francis Dashwood built a series of chambers connected by long, narrow tunnels, inspired by visits to other countries on a grand tour of the world. These caves were home to meetings of the Hellfire Club, comprised of socially important 18
th century figures, who reportedly practiced pagan rituals, partook in orgies, and were rumored to mock the Catholic Church. By the 1760s, the Hellfire Club was no more, but stories of hauntings began. Paul Whitehead, once a steward of the Hellfire Club, is said to roam the caves, searching for his heart which was stolen from the nearby Mausoleum, and the ghost of a woman named Suki is frequently seen in the Banqueting Hall. Rumor says the caves have been used for black magic and satanic rituals over the years, and some visitors have even heard harrowing voices and demonic growls when traversing these eerie caves.
There are plenty more abnormal abodes to explore throughout the U.K and Ireland. With lands filled with such rich history, it’s no surprise that history is still alive (or shall we say undead?). We hope these spooky stories have inspired you, and maybe frightened you a little too! Are you ready to explore any of these locations on your next trip?
