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The Ghostly Tales of Dublin’s Olympia Theatre

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Behind the stage of the Olympia Theatre in Dublin, it is said that ghosts roam the dressing rooms and stages when the curtain is down. Staff have told us about everything from strange lights to full blown poltergeist activity and if we are to believe the reports, the hauntings are still going on. 

Dublin, a city rich in history and culture, is home to the Olympia Theatre, a grand venue that has witnessed over 140 years of entertainment. While it has hosted countless spectacular performances, the theater also boasts a darker side, with chilling ghost stories and eerie encounters that linger long after the curtain falls. Join us on a journey through the haunted history of the Olympia Theatre in Temple Bar.

A Stage Steeped in History

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Located on Dame Street, Dublin, the Olympia Theatre has been a cultural epicenter since its inception in 1879 when it opened as the Erin Music Hall. Over the years, this stage has welcomed an array of music, theater, and comedy performances, showcasing both local talents and international stars.

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It also housed the first screening of a cinematic movie on April 20th in 1896 from the Lumiere brothers. This is said to have had a profound effect on James Joyce who saw it with his sister, and he has also written passages on music hall culture in his masterpiece, Ulysses. 

Yet, it is the energy left behind by these remarkable shows that seems to attract some mysterious visitors, who choose to linger in the shadows.

Maureen Grant’s Mysterious Encounters

In 2021, the Olympia Theatre lost one of its beloved staff members, Maureen Grant that started working there in 1949, and remembers most of its history, like when the ceiling came crashing down in 1949 and the ghosts said to haunt the theater. 

In 2015, Maureen shared her series of eerie encounters with the Irish Independent, unveiling a tapestry of strange incidents. She recalled malfunctioning light switches, the haunting sound of a crying baby, and a personal experience that sent shivers down her spine. 

“I was standing in my bra and pants and as I turned on the tap the door opened. I said ‘Who is that?’ No answer so I closed the door, thought it was the breeze or something, and the next thing is the door goes bang, my smock came off the door and my tips went flying. I got really scared and fucked my coat on and ran into the café as I was with nothing under my coat.”
(source)

The haunting just became worse and to address the escalating paranormal activity, the theater brought in a medium that went to search for the specter. Inside for three hours in the theater, the medium identified the source of the baby’s cries and even gave the ghost a name—Charlie Parker. The theater’s bar became a hotspot for poltergeist activity, with glasses mysteriously flying off shelves and coins leaping from tills. 

John Brogan’s Ghostly Encounter

Maureen was not the only staff member that something was going on in the theater though.  Former stage manager John Brogan worked for 33 years at the Olympia Theatre and had his own paranormal experience early in his tenure. 

On a quiet Sunday afternoon, he watched in astonishment as a ghostly blue light floated out of one of the dressing rooms, gliding up the corridor, passing him, and disappearing around a corner. He never found out exactly what it was, but it made him believe the other stories that people told.

Additionally, the friendly apparition of a pallbearer began making appearances in the theater’s center aisle, a ghostly presence that the staff grew accustomed to and no one seems to mind, like it was an everyday occurrence to work alongside with ghosts.

Magical Chills with Joe Daly

You would think magicians would be almost comfortable with sharing a dressing room with ghosts, but even they can be a little skeptical of the paranormal. In 2008, magician Joe Daly was gearing up for his captivating show, ‘Magick Macabre,’ at the Olympia Theatre. Little did he know that he would experience something otherworldly in his dressing room. Joe described the eerie encounter to the Irish Independent, recounting an overwhelming feeling of unease and a palpable presence in the room. 

Unbeknownst to him, this dressing room had a spooky reputation, something both John Brogan and Maureen probably could confirm. Joe opted to share his dressing room with fellow cast members, and didn’t want to stay alone there.

The Haunted Olympia Theatre

The Olympia Theatre in Dublin, a place that has illuminated the city with countless performances, is also steeped in spine-tingling ghost stories and paranormal encounters. 

This historic venue holds more than just memories—it harbors the supernatural. These ghostly tales continue to add a layer of mystery to the theater’s rich history, reminding us that sometimes, the spotlight isn’t the only thing that lingers on the stage.

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References:

Ghosts, Glitz and Glamour: A Brief History of The Olympia Theatre, Dublin | Independent.ie 

Olympia Theatre | Haunted Dublin, Ireland | Spirited Isle

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Wilton Castle and the Death Coach

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Every year on a death anniversary, the Death Coach is said to pull up at Wilton Castle. The Haunted castle in Ireland is filled with ghosts in the fireplace, headless horsemen and strange lights in the towers. 

Wilton Castle in Enniscorthy, Ireland, is a storied 13th-century fortress. This privately owned castle has witnessed the rise and fall of generations, hosting tales of prominent families, arsonist attacks, and ghostly apparitions. 

Built in the 13th century by the De Dene family, Wilton Castle has a rich and varied history and went through the hands of several families. For centuries, it served as the proud abode of the Alcock family, who were locally prominent in the 17th century. 

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Ireland

Tragedy struck in 1923 when an arsonist attack left the magnificent house gutted by fire. Yet, hope was not lost for this architectural gem, as careful restoration efforts in recent years have breathed new life into its ancient stones. 

Wilton Castle

Today, Wilton Castle opens its doors to guests, offering exclusive hire, weekend occupation on a bed & breakfast basis, or the option to stay and cater for oneself.

The Ghostly Tale of Harry Alcock

Within the hallowed halls of Wilton Castle, the ghostly presence of Harry Alcock lingers, tethered to the realm of the living. As the sun sets on the anniversary of his death each year, he embarks on a spectral journey on the famed death coach. Riding in a horse-drawn carriage, Harry’s apparition drifts away from the castle in a somber procession.

Read More: Check out all of the Haunted Castles from around the world

While no specific date is recorded for this ethereal spectacle, historical records indicate that Harry Alcock passed away on the 3rd of December 1840. Locals once gathered annually in eager anticipation, hoping to catch a glimpse of this melancholic phantom as he embarked on his spectral journey.

The Irish Death Coach

The “Death Coach,” a prominent figure in the folklore of Northwestern Europe, particularly in Ireland, is known as the “cóiste bodhar,” which translates to “silent coach.” This eerie legend can also be found in stories from British and American cultures. The death coach is typically described as a black carriage, driven or led by a headless horseman known as the Dullahan.

The appearance or sound of the death coach is believed to be an ominous sign, foretelling imminent death either for the observer or a close relative. In Irish folklore, it symbolizes the inevitability of death, signifying that once it arrives on Earth, it cannot return empty-handed. This belief emphasizes that once a person’s fate is sealed by a higher power, mortals are powerless to prevent it.

Accompanying the death coach in Irish folklore is the banshee, adding to the sense of foreboding and dread. In Scottish folklore, a similar entity is said to appear on the Royal Mile of Edinburgh, collecting the souls of the deceased. Additionally, there are stories of a “hell wain” that can be spotted in the Scottish night sky, further contributing to the eerie tales of the death coach.

The Ghosts of the Cromwellian War

In the castle’s dark and oppressive past, Oliver Cromwell infamously employed the cells beneath its formidable walls as grim interrogation and prisoner holding areas. Within these gloomy chambers, Cromwell and his followers subjected countless innocent Catholics to unspeakable acts of brutality and mutilation, leaving behind a haunting legacy of pain and suffering.

Legend has it that the anguished spirits of these unfortunate prisoners still wander the surrounding forests and forlorn corridors, forever trapped in a spectral realm between life and death. Torn and bloodied, these restless souls continue to bear the marks of their torment, their restless footsteps echoing through the ancient halls.

The lingering presence of these spectral figures serves as a chilling reminder of the past atrocities that unfolded within those very walls. Their ghostly manifestations carry with them an undeniable aura of sadness, their ethereal forms drifting silently through the centuries, yearning for peace and release from their eternal anguish.

So, should you find yourself drawn to the castle’s eerie allure and wish to delve into its dark secrets, prepare yourself for an encounter with the spectral remnants of Oliver Cromwell’s cruel reign and the unfortunate souls who suffered beneath its merciless grasp.

Archibald Jacob: A Magistrate’s Haunting

Another ghostly tale intertwined with Wilton Castle is that of Archibald Jacob, a local magistrate notorious for his brutal methods and was known to flog and torture people in the parish. 

In 1836, tragedy befell Jacob as he fell from his horse and met a fatal end while returning home from a ball at the castle. His restless spirit is said to have lingered, manifesting both at the site of his tragic demise and within the castle itself.

One particular legend recounts a chilling exorcism performed within Wilton Castle. As a Catholic priest made the sign of the cross, the ghost of Archibald Jacob allegedly materialized within the castle’s fireplace, only to vanish in a cloud of eerie smoke. Jacob’s lingering presence serves as a haunting reminder of his controversial reign as a magistrate.

The Mysterious Lights from the Ghost of a Star

Beyond the prominent spirits of Harry Alcock and Archibald Jacob, Wilton Castle is steeped in eerie phenomena. Mysterious lights have been reported in the castle tower, believed to be the manifestation of a former actress who perished in a tragic fire when her dress caught fire as she was carrying an oil lamp. This spectral figure continues to cast her ethereal glow on the castle’s ruins.

It is also believed that it is the ghosts from when the IRA burnt the castle down in 1923. Although this news clip from it doesn’t really mention that anyone died. According to this legend, there were three aspiring actors that burnt with it.

The actress’s ghost stands on the balcony, ready to jump, even though she hesitated to do so the night of the fire, and thus perished. It is as if she relives that decision over and over again.

Additionally, the property echoes with the howls of a phantom dog, its mournful cries echoing through the darkest of nights. These enigmatic occurrences serve as a testament to the enduring mystery and rich tapestry of history that envelopes Wilton Castle.

Tales of Tragedy at Wilton Castle

As the sun sets on each anniversary of Harry Alcock’s death, the Death Coach arrives at Wilton Castle, casting an eerie and melancholic atmosphere over the ancient fortress. The ghostly presence of Harry Alcock, forever tethered to the realm of the living, embarks on his spectral journey in the horse-drawn carriage.

As guests venture through the castle’s hallowed halls, they are not only immersed in its rich tapestry of history but also invited to partake in its ghostly tales. Each creaking floorboard and flickering light whispers the secrets of the past, enticing all who dare to enter into the enigmatic and haunting world of Wilton Castle.

So, if you find yourself drawn to its eerie allure, prepare to immerse yourself in the legends and spirits that dwell within. Wilton Castle stands as a testament to the enduring power of history and the ethereal beauty that can be found within the embrace of the supernatural.

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References:

Creepy Irish Castles & Houses Halloween Irish culture and customs 

Wilton Castle | Haunted Wexford, Ireland | Spirited Isle 

Death Coach – Wikipedia 

The Best Haunted Castles In Ireland 

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The Alchemist House in El Call, Barcelona

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An old house in El Call, Barcelona in Spain is said to be the former house of an alchemist. It is said that he cursed the Alchemist House after he was involved in the tragic death of his own daughter. 

In the middle of the Jewish quarter in Barcelona called El Call there is a coffee shop called Satan’s Coffee Corner at the end of the street. This is a seemingly fitting name for what happened in this street many moons ago according to this legend. 

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Today the building is a part of the Barcelona History Museum designed to show the life of the Jewish community that settled down in Barcelona in the 9th century.

The Jewish Alchemist and his Daughter

Back in the 14th century there was a famous Jewish alchemist living at number 8 of Arc de Sant Ramon del Call. There are still ornaments of a window and a stone arch from this time. 

He had a beautiful daughter who fell in love with a Christian man. The daughter wanted the man to ask for her fathers permission to marry and finally be together, but the man refused as he knew that the father would oppose them being together no matter what and would never give them his approval. 

Or perhaps the man only wanted a fling without the hassle of marriage. In any case, because the daughter saw no future and them being together, she ended the relationship when the man kept refusing to go to her father. This enraged the man though and he decided to get his revenge on her. 

The Revenge of the Alchemist’s Daughter

He went to her father, albeit for a completely different purpose than what she wanted him to. The boy came to him and asked for poison to kill his ex lover. The alchemist was used by people using his skills to give people what they wanted, whether it was a potion for love, for wealth or even death he was happy, or at least willing to make deadly poisons for those that needed and could pay. 

It is said that the alchemist asked the boy if he was giving the poison to a girl or a boy, and the boy said it was a girl. Because of this, the alchemist put the poison in a rose where just a sniff of the flower could kill a person. 

The boy paid for the deadly flower and went his merry way. The alchemist closed up for the day and went upstairs to greet his daughter, not knowing what tragedy he had just created.

The Flower for his Daughter

That night, the Christian man went to the window of the daughter and called out to her. He offered her the rose, pleading for her and saying that he wanted her back, that he loved her and would do anything for her. 

Although she had broken it off with him, she still longed for him and he was saying everything she wanted to hear. That is why she accepted the rose. After smelling the rose just once, she fell to the floor, writhing in pain until she died of her fathers poison. 

The father went to her room in the morning and found her dead by the flower he himself had made and sold. 

The father fled the house and Barcelona. Before he vanished forever, he put a curse on the house he had once called the home to him and his daughter. He was condemning the whole building and for it to bring misfortune to whoever entered it as it had been done to him. According to the legend, some claim to hear the weeping from the girl within the walls of number 8, the former alchemist’s house. 

The Truth of the Alchemist House

Did an alchemist live in this house? Did his daughter actually die by the hand of her Christian boyfriend and his own magic? Perhaps it really happened, perhaps not, the story is nonetheless a good allegory of what happened to jews in Barcelona in this time. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories set in Haunted Houses from around the world.

The Jews grew in numbers in the city over the years and flourished. Although a strained relationship between the jews and christians throughout the history, their coexistence in Barcelona up until the 14th century wasn’t considered bad. 

That all changed after the black plague came to the Catalan capital in 1348. There were many to blame for this plague, witches, the devil, some even blamed the jews. There was a belief by many that the jews possessed some sort of evil magic and they were dangerous. The king tried to defend the community and even the pope came to the defense at the time to calm down the rumors. But it was too late, because the seed to the hatred was already planted. 

It all culminated in a tragic massacre in 1391. Over 200 jews were murdered in Castellnou. Some were even burned in the streets and the jews had to flee the city, leaving most of their life behind. Their whole community collapsed and most of the buildings, the streets and the homes they had built fell into the hands of the Christians.

The 1391 Massacre: In Barcelona in 1391 there was a riot in the city were they targeted jews on the street and slaughtered them.

The Jewish houses were rebuilt and their mark on the city started to fade away as the shops, homes and people that used to live there now were gone. Only a few houses like the Alchemist House with its accompanying legends remained.  

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La Casa del Alquimista abre como punto cultural del Call
La Casa del Alquimista | MÓN BARCINO
Haunted and Mysterious Places in Barcelona | 19 Local Legends

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The Ghosts of Drimnagh Castle

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Drimnagh Castle bears ghostly secrets if we are to believe the legends. Some claim it is haunted by an alchemist that used to live there, some say it is the ghost of Eleanora, who died after a love gone wrong. 

In the suburb of Drimnagh outside of Dublin, Drimnagh Castle (Caisleán Dhroimeanaigh in Irish) still stands. This Norman castle is unique in Ireland, boasting the distinction of being the sole surviving castle with a surrounding flooded moat from the Camac River. 

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The annals of Drimnagh Castle harken back to a time when Ireland was still emerging as a nation. The first recorded owner of the castle was Sir Hugh de Bernival as early as 1216. The legacy of ownership passed through generations, with the Bernival family eventually adopting the name Barnewell, sometimes known as Barnewall.

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While the foundations of the castle were initially laid in the mid-13th century, the primary structures that endure today date back to the early 15th century. 

Drimnagh Castle remained in the Hatch family’s care until the mid-1950s. Louis Hatch bequeathed the castle to Dr. P. Dunne, the Bishop of Nara, who subsequently sold it for a nominal sum to the Christian Brothers. The Christian Brothers utilized the premises to establish a school, a legacy that continued until 1956 when they relocated to new schools and a nearby monastery.

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By the mid-1980s, the castle had fallen into disrepair. Roofs had collapsed, windows were missing, and masonry lay in partial ruin. It was during this period of neglect that Peter Pearson, an artist affiliated with An Taisce (the national trust for Ireland), initiated a local committee’s involvement in a restoration endeavor. FÁS (Foras Áiseanna Saothair), the state training authority, became a vital partner in this painstaking restoration program.

The Alchemist in the Tower of Drimnagh Castle

While Drimnagh Castle has witnessed centuries of history and restoration, it is not devoid of ghostly tales. One of the supposed ghosts haunting the place is the ghost of the Man in Black. Apparently he was an alchemist that worked in the old tower from the 17th century. According to the legend, he made a deal with the devil and for his sins, he had to walk the earth forever. 

Read More: Check out The Alchemist House on Carrer D’Estruc in Barcelona or Black Magic at Pfaueninsel for more stories about alchemists.

The most told story though is that about a young girl who is said to haunt the castle to this day. The haunting story that lingers within its ancient walls is that of Eleanora Barnwall in In the late 16th century.

Eleanora’s Descent into Eternal Sorrow

Eleanora Barnwall was the orphaned niece of Hugh Barnewall and destined to wed her cousin, Edmund Barnwall to keep their estates in the family, a man she liked and respected as family, but didn’t love as a man.

Once she went to a party at her friend’s manor in the outskirts of Dublin and Eleanora’s destiny was forever altered. She crossed paths with her true love, Sean O’Byrne. Sean, or Hugh as he is sometimes named was from the O’Byrne Clan of Wicklow, one of the enemies of the Barnwalls and the rest of the Norman families in Ireland. She loved him though, although she didn’t dare to confess to her family and the wedding was happening. 

Eleanora and Edmund embarked on a journey from Drimnagh Castle, with much fanfare befitting a noble wedding. Their destination was St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where the grand ceremony was set to unfold.

Sean O’Byrne and his followers descended upon Edmund’s coach when they were halfway there, shattering the dreamlike procession and attacking them. Edmund was killed amidst the tumultuous scene. 

In the chaos that unfurled, Eleanora’s uncle, Hugh, grasped the fleeting moments to rally his knights and repel the assault. Many O’Byrnes met their tragic end, and, heartbreakingly, so did Eleanora’s cherished Sean.

Eleanora was thrust back to Drimnagh Castle. Her uncle was livid and he incarcerated Eleanora within the castle’s imposing walls, driven by a maelstrom of emotions—partly out of concern for her safety, but mostly engulfed by an all-consuming anger. In his eyes, she bore the blame for the audacious attack on the wedding party—a stigma she could never escape.

In the dead of night or two after the attack, she managed to escape from the castle and went to Sean O’Byrne’s final resting place, deep within the Dublin Mountains. She clung to the earth that concealed her beloved until she as well died from exposure.

As the winds howled and the snowflakes blanketed her frail form, Eleanora’s sorrowful existence culminated in a haunting tragedy—a tale forever etched into the annals of Drimnagh Castle’s tormented history.

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References:

Drimnagh Castle – Wikipedia 

CASTLE STORIES | drimnaghcastle 

Dublin Stories 1: The Haunted Dustpan 

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La Casa de las Sirenas: The Ghostly Wailing Inside the House of Mermaids

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Inside of an old mansion called The House of Mermaids, you can see the shadows of the ghost of a trapped soul and hear the desperate wailing coming from within La Casa de las Sirenas in Seville, Spain. 

As the moon rises over the Spanish city landscape, the old mansions of yesteryear come alive with ghostly apparitions and spectral hauntings. 

From its eerie whispers to its chilling apparitions, La Casa de las Sirenas beckons the curious to unlock its enigmatic history. Join us on a journey as we peel back the layers of time and uncover the spine-tingling tales that have made this mansion infamous. 

Historical background of La Casa de las Sirenas

Seville where we find La Casa de las Sirenas is the capital city of Andalucia. This place is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning architecture, however, beneath its charming facade, lies a darker side – a world of haunted mansions, ghostly apparitions, and spine-chilling tales.

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain

Originally built as a romantic mansion in 1864, La Casa de las Sirenas was a symbol of opulence and grandeur. Its architectural beauty, with its intricate detailing and elegant design, made it a coveted residence for wealthy families. 

La Casa de las Sirenas: The House of the Mermaids in Seville Spain has long been thought to be haunted by a former resident after is was left abandoned for a long time. //Source: CarlosVdeHabsburgo /Wikimedia

The name meaning The House of Mermaids comes from the Egyptian sphinxes at the entrance of the house, with people thinking it looked like sirens from Greek mythology. Although it was a grand house, not many stayed in it for too long and it has always been shrouded in mystery. Why did people leave so quickly? And why do people claim to see people in the windows although it has been abandoned for years?

As the years passed, La Casa de las Sirenas fell into disrepair and was eventually abandoned in the 1980s, but left behind a haunted rumor.

The Haunted Mansion of Mermaids

With the mansion left to decay, especially in the 1970s and 80s, rumors of its haunting began to circulate. People claimed to have seen figures in the windows, heard disembodied voices, and experienced inexplicable phenomena. The allure of the mansion’s haunting history drew paranormal investigators, thrill-seekers, and curious individuals who were eager to uncover its secrets.

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One of the most chilling accounts of paranormal activity at La Casa de las Sirenas is the sighting of figures in the windows. Visitors have reported seeing shadowy apparitions peering out from the dilapidated mansion, their presence sending shivers down their spines. The figures appear and disappear without a trace, leaving witnesses questioning their own sanity.

Another eerie phenomenon reported by those who have ventured into the mansion is the sound of a terrible wailing. The chilling cries reverberate through the halls, creating an atmosphere of unease and dread. Some believe these mournful sounds are the echoes of a tragic event that unfolded within the mansion’s walls, forever imprinted on the fabric of its existence.

The Imprisoned Ghost Still Haunting the Mansion

Who this ghost inside of La Casa de las Sirenas is supposed to be is unclear, but many claim the ghost is one of the descendants of the Portilla family that owned the house once upon the time before leaving it to decay in the 1950s. 

Haunted House: In the La Casa de las Sirenas people have claimed to have seen ghosts and figures in the windows when there was no one home and living there. //Source: CarlosVdeHabsburgo /Wikimedia

According to legend the son of the family was confined to the house because of being homosexual and they tried to cut him off from the world from a young age. Some say that the confinement was by himself as he didnt’ want to live like this and punished himself by locking himself up. 

Another version of the legend is that the family physically tied him up and shut him inside so as not let his sin be known and come to life. How he died is up for debate. Was it by natural causes or by someone’s hand? In any case, it is said that the ghost haunting this house is him. 

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La Casa de las Sirenas: el secreto que se esconde entre sus cuatro paredes – El Patio Colorao
La Casa de las Sirenas: la historia del palacio encantado de la Alameda – Sevilla Secreta
Casa de las Sirenas (The House of Mermaids) | Turismo de la Provincia de SevillaRoad trip through the gloomiest haunted houses in Spain

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Carrigaholt Castle and the Haunted Sealed Room

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In the 1920s, a ghost hunter opened a once sealed room at Carrigaholt Castle. The next day he was found dead and people have avoided the haunted castle at all cost since the haunting started long before, and will continue for a long time after. Perhaps even to this day. 

On the Loop Head peninsula in County Clare, Carrigaholt Castle sits, shrouded in the mysteries and tales of ages past. 

Carrigaholt Castle’s story begins in the late fifteenth century when it was built by the McMahons, the final Gaelic chiefs of the Corcabascin Peninsula for wartime. Descendants of Mathgamain mac Cennétig, these chiefs built the castle as a formidable five-story tower house, complete with a protective bawn or walled courtyard. 

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Ireland

Overlooking the Shannon River, this castle boasted murder holes and a spiral staircase leading to a stone vaulted roof—an architectural marvel and a testament to its strategic importance.

Carrigaholt Castle: With its long and bloody story, the haunted castle is steeped with legend were it sits by the water. Who is haunting the ruins of the fortress though it unknown. //Source: The Banner/Wikimedia

Some say that Carrigaholt Castle was constructed within sight of an ancient sunken fortress, a relic of a time long past, now concealed beneath the sands of time and the relentless tides of the Atlantic Ocean.

Bloodstains on the Castle Walls

Carrigaholt Castle bears witness to a turbulent and bloody history, a reflection of the tumultuous times that gripped Ireland. As Tudor armies waged war on Irish soil, the McMahons stood guardians of their land. But it was during the arrival of the Spanish Armada in 1588 that the castle’s history took a chilling turn.

Seven Armada ships sought refuge near Carrigaholt Castle, beseeching the McMahons for assistance. Tragically, their plea was met with betrayal. Legend has it that Teigue Caech McMahon, known as “the short-sighted,” lured the Armada crews into the castle, where they met a gruesome fate. The gold looted from the ships was used to craft a sow and piglets, all made of gold, which Teigue buried in the strand, hidden by the shifting tides.

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Subsequently, English armies descended upon Carrigaholt Castle, leading to the McMahon’s downfall. Despite putting up fierce resistance, the McMahons faced a grim end—every last one of them was captured and hanged.

A Haunted Abandonment: The Sealed Room

Cromwell’s forces were thwarted at Carrigaholt Castle, but its master, Lord Clare of Carrigaholt, rose to fight against William of Orange. Unfortunately, their defeat marked the end of an era. The estate was divided and sold, eventually passing into the hands of the Burtons in the 19th century.

The hauntings have been told as far back as 1875, when people claimed to have seen the ghost of soldiers doing military exercises in the field. 

Amid the castle’s tumultuous history, an eerie legend began to circulate, focusing on a single room that had been sealed for more than a century for reasons unknown. Many thought it was to seal something inside of it. 

In the 1920s, an exorcist resolved to confront the malevolent entity within the room. He unsealed the chamber and descended into its depths. However, when the morning light broke, a horrifying sight awaited— the exorcist was found lifeless, his hands outstretched toward the entrance, his face etched with terror. It was almost as if he had died from fright. 

The room was promptly sealed once more and the castle became forbidden to enter, becoming a place of dread where none dared to enter, let alone spend the night.

Carrigaholt Castle’s Chilling Enigma

The legends of Carrigaholt Castle continue to haunt the imaginations of those who dare to delve into its chilling history. With its dark secrets and the ominous sealed room that holds unspeakable horrors, the castle remains an enigma on the rugged coast of County Clare. Its stories of betrayal, war, and restless spirits echo through time, captivating the curious and the brave.

Despite the passage of centuries, the castle stands as a testament to the resilience and endurance of the human spirit. It serves as a reminder of the turbulent past that once gripped Ireland and the price paid by those who sought power and control. The bloodstains on its walls and the ghosts that roam its corridors are a somber reminder of the battles fought and lives lost.

The sealed room, long believed to hold something sinister within its depths, continues to instill fear and curiosity in equal measure. Its history remains shrouded in mystery, with whispers of ancient curses, vengeful spirits, and unimaginable horrors. Many ponder the reasons behind its sealing and the nature of the entity that claimed the life of the exorcist who dared to confront it.

To this day, Carrigaholt Castle remains forbidden and off-limits to all who heed the warnings of its haunting presence. It stands as a solemn reminder of the thin veil between the world of the living and that of the departed.

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References:

Featured Image: Geograph Britain and Ireland

Carrigaholt Castle | Ghost Stories from the Emerald Isle 

Carrigaholt Castle | Haunted Clare, Ireland | Spirited Isle 

Carrigaholt – Wikipedia 

Carrigaholt Castle – Kilkee Heritage: Past & Present

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The Poltergeist of Madrid’s Haunted Antique Store: El Baúl del Monje

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In Madrid in the 90s, there was an old antique store that were the place of strange things. The owner thought his shop Baúl del Monje was haunted by a possible poltergeist, and the investigation in this case drew a lot of attention from the public.

El Baúl del Monje was an antiques store in Madrid in Spain known for being the focus of alleged paranormal phenomena of great intensity during the 1990s. The Antique shop name means Monk’s Truck and the phenomena were investigated by the Hepta Group that investigated a lot of the well known haunted locations in Spain. 

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Could it really be that the old shop was haunted by a poltergeist?

Poltergeists have been a topic of interest for centuries. These entities are known for causing physical disturbances such as inexplicable noises, movement of inanimate objects, and even materialization of objects. The term poltergeist is derived from the German words “poltern,” meaning to make noise, and “geist,” meaning ghost. These entities are often associated with haunted places, and Madrid’s Baúl del Monje is one such location.

The Haunting Starts in the Shop

The phenomena registered prior to the arrival of the Hepta paranormal investigation group were described as aggressive, of great intensity, and very frequent by the staff working in the shop as well as its customers. 

The building where the events took place was located at number 10, Marqués de Monasterio street, in the central Justicia neighborhood, a short distance from Paseo de Recoletos and was said to have started in March in 1998. 

Read more: Check out more poltergeist stories like The Poltergeist of Greyfriars Kirkyard or The Ghosts that Drove the Villagers of La Cornudilla out of Town.

Witnesses reported seeing objects move by themselves, hearing unexplained noises, and feeling a sense of unease within the store. Some even claimed to have seen apparitions and materializations of objects. These events occurred on a daily basis and were of great intensity, causing concern among both customers and employees.

The owner of the shop, Noel, told this to the radio station: “one of the things that happens the most is that objects fall without anyone touching them. Sometimes figures are seen, other times they are noises, real, and then, however, there is nothing to justify them”.

Paranormal Investigation

The owner, Noel, called after someone that could help him with the strange things happening in his shop. Upon the arrival of the Hepta group in February 1999, they began a short series of investigations that yielded the same results. 

Even the paranormal investigators were shaken as they too experienced some of the strange and unexplainable things:

Poltergeist Activity: One of the phenomenon that the shop had was the flying chairs they claimed happened. This is a picture they allegedly took of what happened in 1999.//Source: Wikimedia

The lamps began to move by themselves. For example, the crystalline ornaments that hang from them appeared in other rooms. They jumped in front of your eyes or directly broke. The taps opened on their own, sometimes it seemed as if a crockery had fallen on the floor and many other times a rotten smell arose that transformed into an incredible scent of roses. It emerged from the rooms and impregnated some furniture. She smelled like burnt hair inside one of the closets.

They also experienced a rotten smell that turned into an intense aroma of roses coming from the ground. The taps in the building kept opening by themselves and candles lit themselves up. It was almost always happening at the same time, close to closing time. 

According to the explanation of the Hepta Group, the phenomena were of a poltergeist nature and were unconsciously caused by the affected person and owner Noel himself. The owner had problems with events like this in other places where he had conducted businesses. 

The Unsettling Events in Baúl del Monje

The Hepta Group’s investigations uncovered some unsettling findings. According to the researchers, faithful to parapsychology, everything could have been triggered by some dramatic events that happened in that same place years ago. 

A lawyer died from smoke inhalation after the gas from the stove had escaped. In some versions he fell asleep with a cigarette in the bed. This could have been the trigger for the poltergeist activity. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this theory.

Some claimed that it had to be one of the old objects in the shop that surely had to be cursed. 

Despite the investigations, the mystery of the old antique store remains unsolved. The explanation to the HEpta Group was that the phenomena was unconsciously caused by the affected person and the owner of the shop, Noel. 

The phenomena started to happen less frequently until it disappeared completely. Noel felt that the alleged poltergeist left the premises soon as he believed that it negatively affected his sales. 

The phenomena were of such intensity that they left a lasting impression on those who witnessed them. Today, the premises are occupied by a private residence, and there have been no reports of unusual events since.

Have a look at some of the photage and the Hepta group investigated the case.

Conclusion of the Haunted Shop

The events that took place in Baúl del Monje remain a haunting mystery. The poltergeist activity that occurred within its walls was of great intensity and left a lasting impression on those who witnessed it. The Hepta Group’s investigations provided some insight into the nature of the phenomena, but the cause of the activity remains unknown.

Poltergeist hauntings have been tried documented throughout history, and Baúl del Monje is just one such location. The unexplained events that occurred within its walls serve as a reminder of the mysteries that surround our world. While we may never know the true cause of the phenomena that occurred in Baúl del Monje, it is a testament to the power of the unknown and the mysteries that lie beyond our understanding.

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References:

El Baúl del Monje – Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre
Los fenómenos paranormales de “El Baúl del Monje”
El caso poltergeist del anticuario «Baúl del Monje»The poltergeist case of the antique dealer “Baúl del Monje”. El pensante. Recuperado el día 12 de julio de 2023.

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The Haunted Lough Cutra Castle

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After a servant ended in an ice cold watery grave, Lough Cutra Castle in Ireland is said to be haunted by his presence and is called Cheeky Murray. 

The history of Lough Cutra Castle and Estate dates back to ancient times, possibly as early as 866 AD. The castle’s serene surroundings have witnessed the passage of influential figures like Ireland’s patron saint, Saint Patrick, and Saint Colman MacDuagh, who is commemorated by the nearby Kilmacduagh round tower.

Christianity left its mark on the estate, with remnants of churches, cells, and monasteries scattered across the immediate grounds. These holy sites harken back to the introduction of Christianity to the region.

The hills surrounding Lough Cutra bear the scars of tribal conflicts between the Firbolgs and the Tuatha De Danann, two ancient Irish tribes. These conflicts persisted through the Danish invasion, with the ruined church of Beagh as a solemn reminder of the turmoil that once engulfed the area.

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Ireland

In 1678, Sir Roger O’Shaughnessy inherited the lands around Lough Cutra but faced upheaval during a revolution that led to the seizure of Gort lands. These lands were later presented to Thomas Prendergast, who planted numerous fruit trees on the islands within the lake. The land dispute continued, eventually culminating in a resolution in 1753.

Lough Cutra Castle: The 3rd Lord Gort was ruined by the Famine, when he refused to collect any rents and gave large sums of money to charity, with the result that the estate was bankrupted and sold up by the Encumbered Estates Court in 1851. The castle was bought back post World War II, by the 7th Viscount Gort. It was restored by the family. photo from ca. 1860-1883.

In the 1920s, the Gough family moved out of the castle due to the escalating maintenance costs. During World War II, the Irish army occupied the castle and the estate.

Over the years, ownership of Lough Cutra Castle shifted, with various renovations and refurbishments taking place. In 2003, significant roof restoration work was completed on the castle. Further restoration and rebuilding projects occurred in gate lodges and courtyards.

The Mystery of the Haunting

Amidst the historical grandeur of Lough Cutra Castle lies a tale of the supernatural. Whispers of ghostly apparitions and eerie phenomena have haunted the corridors of the castle for a long time. From inexplicable sounds to shadowy figures, some believe that the castle’s long history may have left behind more than memories.

The ghost supposedly haunting the castle is that of a former servant. Murray was working at the castle when he one winter was crossing a frozen lake. The ice was too thin and he fell through and was trapped under it. 

He was rescued from the icy waters and brought to the castle, but died in one of the rooms not long after. After his death, strange things started to happen and they decided to seal the room off because of this. 

Many years later, they were doing some renovations to the castle and wanted to use the room as a bathroom. When they opened it, it was like the ghost of Murray was set free somehow as they once again started to experience strange things like they had before sealing it off. 

He is said to be quite flirtatious and when people have spotted him, it is often ladies that complain about him touching them inappropriately, like pinching their bottom. Because of this he has been known as Cheeky Murray. 

The Haunted Legacy of Lough Cutra Castle

As Lough Cutra Castle continues to stand proudly on the shores of its picturesque lake, its legends, both historical and supernatural, endure, inviting us to explore the enigmatic past that lingers within its walls.

Read More: Check out all of the Haunted Castles from around the world

Though the presence of Cheeky Murray, the mischievous ghostly servant, lingers within the castle’s walls, the restoration and renovations have brought new life to the ancient structure. The room where Murray’s spirit was trapped has been reopened, and its enigmatic aura remains, inviting visitors to witness the supernatural wonders that abound.

As the sun sets over the serene lake, casting a mesmerizing reflection upon the castle’s facade, the whispers of the past mingle with the laughter and the footsteps of present-day guests. The enchanting legends of Lough Cutra Castle continue to intrigue and captivate, drawing in those who seek a glimpse into the hidden depths of history.

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References:

Lough Cutra Castle | History of the Estate | Castle Rental for Corporate Events, Location Shoots and Weddings 

Lough Cutra Castle | Haunted Galway, Ireland | Spirited Isle 

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Exploring the Haunting Legend of El Coco

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The Spanish legend of El Coco frightened children and was used by parents to make their children go to sleep. But what really was behind the horrible legend about the child devouring monster that would come for you?

Go to sleep child,
go to sleep now,
the coconut is coming
and it will eat you

Many Spanish parents spook their children by cautioning them about El Coco, a Boogeyman monster who snatches children away if they misbehave or refuse to sleep. It has also been associated with a horrible crime that was like a manifestation of the old legend. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain

Parents warn their children of El Coco using the popular rhyme, “Duermete niño, duermete ya, que viene El Coco y te comerá.” (“Sleep child, sleep now, or else Coco will come and eat you.”

Origins and Cultural Variations of the El Coco Legend

The legend of El Coco has its roots in Galician Spanish and Portuguese folklore, but it has spread to various countries and cultures around the world, each with their own unique variations. 

In Spain, El Coco is often depicted as a dark, shadowy figure lurking in the night. Some say that he appears on moonless nights and puts lying children in a sack and turns them into soap.

Other cultures have their own versions of the legend, such as the Bogeyman in English-speaking countries and the Sack Man in France.

El Coco: Francisco de Goya illustrated, Que viene el coco (Here Comes the Bogey-Man), published 1799.

The origins of the legend can be traced back to the 17th century when the first lullabies were written down, where parents would use stories of monsters and boogeymen to frighten their children into behaving. These cautionary tales served as a way to instill discipline and obedience in children, as they believed that the threat of El Coco would keep them in line. 

Over time, the legend evolved and became deeply ingrained in the collective consciousness of various cultures. And with time, the tale of Coco spread to Latin America that also put their own touch on the legend. 

Terrifying Tales and Encounters with El Coco

Throughout history, there have been numerous chilling tales and alleged encounters with El Coco. These stories have been passed down from generation to generation, fueling the fear and fascination surrounding the legend. One such tale recounts the story of a young boy who was abducted by El Coco and never seen again. The boy’s parents claimed to have seen a dark figure with glowing eyes and a black cloth bag lurking outside their home on the night of the abduction.

Perhaps the most terrifying thing about this is that it is well in with a horrible real crime that happened to a child. 

The Real El Coco Francisco Ortega

A real person that has been associated with El Coco was Francisco Ortega. In 1910 he lived in Gador in Spain with no family, alone in his house. He had tuberculosis and was near death. 

At the time there was no cure for tuberculosis, but Ortega didn’t want to die. He went to a healer called Francisco Leona that also practices black magic. He told Ortega he needed the blood of a child and 3000 reais to pay the healer. 

They kidnapped a seven year old named Bernando from his house and put him in a sack. Leon cut the child’s heart out with a knife and crushed his head with a rock. They drank his blood, put his heart in a jar and used his body to make a medical paste. 

Leona got rid of the body with the help of Julio. But Julio didn’t receive any payments so he went to the police and turned them in. They were all arrested and sentenced to death. 

The Goodnight Story El Coco

The legend of El Coco is a haunting tale that has been passed down through generations, instilling fear and fascination in children and adults alike. Its origins in Spanish folklore have spread to various cultures, each with their own unique variations of the legend. Throughout history, there have been terrifying tales and alleged encounters with El Coco, fueling the fear and intrigue surrounding the creature.

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References:

Crime of Gádor – Wikipedia
Simple Stories in Spanish: La Leyenda del Coco
Coco (folklore) – Wikipedia
La Leyenda del Coco

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Renvyle House and a visit from Yeats

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Renvyle House was said to be haunted long before the poet Yeats stepped into the hotel and decided to hold a seance. What they experienced staying there though almost sounded as fantastical as one of his stories and today it bears the fascinating history of modern spiritualism and occult seances. 

Midnight has come and the great Christ Church bell
And many a lesser bell sound through the room;
And it is All Souls’ Night.
And two long glasses brimmed with muscatel
Five bubble upon the table. A ghost may come;
For it is a ghost’s right,
His element is so fine
Being sharpened by his death,
– W. B. Yeats, “All Souls’ Night”

Amidst the picturesque landscapes of Galway in Ireland, Renvyle House stands as a charming rural hotel today, exuding warmth and hospitality. But it hasn’t always been like this, and there is a dark story of the occult ricocheting in the many rooms. 

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Ireland

Within its inviting walls, guests, including renowned Irish poet and spiritualist William Butler Yeats, have encountered spine-tingling encounters with the supernatural, and who knows, perhaps even summoned some?

Renvyle House, a low, sprawling gray structure on Ireland’s western coast, boasts a storied history marked by construction, destruction, and rebirth. It has withstood the tumultuous shifts in Ireland’s fate, serving as a testament to the nation’s enduring spirit.

A Hotel with an Eventful Past

Originally, this site was inhabited by the formidable Gaelic clan of Donal O’Flaherty since the 12th century. In 1689, the Blakes, one of the 14 Tribes of Galway, acquired 2,000 acres of O’Flaherty land and eventually took up residence in 1822. They transformed the modest thatched cabin into a grander dwelling. 

Major renovations, including the addition of a shipwreck-sourced timber extension and a slate roof, took place under Henry Blake’s ownership. In 1883, his widow, Caroline Johanna, converted it into the area’s first hotel, opening its doors to guests seeking Connemara’s natural beauty.

In 1923, during the Irish Civil War, the IRA set the house ablaze, erasing the structure along with Gogarty’s priceless library. Surgeon, poet, and statesman Oliver St. John Gogarty, who had acquired the property in 1917, embarked on its reconstruction in the late 1920s. 

The new design reflected the aesthetic of that era, restoring Renvyle House as a hotel. It was during his stewardship that the first eerie tales of spectral encounters began to surface as his guests often included those with a keen interest in the paranormal.

A Haunting Presence at Renvyle House

Oliver St. John Gogarty: Owner of Renvyle House and a writer. He served as the inspiration for Buck Mulligan in James Joyce’s novel Ulysses and often entertained his literary friends at his house.

Even before Yeats came for a visit, the Renvyle House was said to have had a haunted reputation about it. Servants working at the Renvyle House often spoke in hushed whispers of unsettling “presences” that seemed to lurk within the shadows of the home. Bedsheets would inexplicably take flight from their resting places, doors would open and close with no human hand to guide them, and the atmosphere was charged with an otherworldly energy.

One night, the owner himself, the writer Oliver St. John Gogarty experienced something he claimed had to have been something paranormal. In the middle of the night he was jolted from slumber by a haunting disturbance. As the midnight hour approached, he was roused by the sound of heavy footsteps in the hallway outside his room coming closer and closer.

Gogarty lit a candle and ventured out to confront the source of the disturbance. Perhaps it was a guest, maybe a servant walking in the night? Yet, as he stepped into the corridor, a chilling gust extinguished the flame he was carrying. In that moment, he described an inexplicable heaviness in his limbs, as though “exercising with rubber ropes.” The spectral presence had vanished, leaving him in solitude in the pitch dark.

The Arrival of William Butler Yeats

The supernatural activity at Renvyle House reached its zenith when Gogarty’s close friend, the renowned poet William Butler Yeats, and his wife, Georgia, came to stay. Yeats grew up in Sligo, a part of Ireland known for its hauntings and fantastical fairy tales that blended into the locals’ everyday life. 

Yeats believed that when you spoke of a dead man you conjured his ghost, and together with his wife that acted as a medium for them, they had a habit of chasing ghosts and exploring the afterlife. 

Together, they embarked on a journey into the realm of the paranormal. The couple was highly interested in the occult, as it was both new and fashionable in that area, and they took part in many seances. 

One evening, while gathered in the library, the Yeatses and their companions were startled by the creaking of the library door, which slowly swung open of its own volition. Fear swept through the room, yet Yeats, resolute and unyielding, raised his hand and boldly declared, “Leave it alone, it will go away, as it came.” Remarkably, the door obeyed, slamming shut with an unsettling finality.

The Yeats Couple: At the age of 25, Georgie Hyde-Lees received a marriage proposal from the 52-year-old poet W.B. Yeats. This proposal came shortly after Yeats had been rejected by Iseult Gonne, whom he had loved for a long time. Surprisingly, Georgie accepted Yeats’ proposal, and the two were married just three weeks later. During their honeymoon, Georgie began automatic writing, a practice that greatly intrigued Yeats and eventually led to the creation of “A Vision,” which played a significant role in their marriage. Within a year of their marriage, Yeats found Georgie’s name insufferable and began calling her George instead.

The Yeatses decided to delve deeper into the mysteries of Renvyle House through automatic writing, a popular way of communicating with spirits in that era. In a séance, they hoped to unlock the secrets of the house’s restless spirits with a seance. 

There was in particular one room Yeats claimed to get in contact with an entity that said he didn’t like when strangers came to the house. 

His wife told about seeing a red-haired, pallid-faced boy of about fourteen. “He had the solemn pallor of a tragedy beyond the endurance of a child,” recalled Georgia Yeats. They learned that this melancholic figure belonged to the Blake family, the original proprietors of the house.

A Catholic Exorcise

According to the gathered people in the room there was one of them that had just converted to catholicism named Evan Morgan. He felt confident in his abilities to perform an exorcism in the room of the ghosts that resided in there. 

Spiritualism: Spiritualism is a belief system that holds spirits can communicate with the living through a medium. The term was first recorded in 1796 and was associated with 18th-century spiritualist Emanuel Swedenborg. It has evolved to encompass various meanings. In a broad sense, spiritualism includes beliefs in a vital life force within living beings, supernatural or divine entities, and the idea that spirits of the deceased continue to exist after death and can interact with the living.

According to them, he was thrown to the ground by a thick fog and had to get help to get to safety. When he calmed down he claimed to have encountered the same young man that grabbed his throat and threw him down. 

The Rest of the Ghost Haunting the hotel

This ghost from the seance is not the only ghost that is said to have been recognised though. Some claim that there are children haunting some of the rooms, and apparently one man haunting the hotel strangled himself. 

According to those who have stayed there there is a female ghosts known as Old Mrs. Gogarty that have been seen in the hotel 

There is also a man that is all dressed in tweed reported to haunt the place and is known to appear in room 27. There have also been complaints about him watching women in their rooms when they are putting on makeup. When some psychics visited in 1965, they claimed that the ghost had to be that of Yeats himself, and this theory has been passed around as fact ever since. 

A Fiery End, and Lingering Spirits

Despite its fiery end at the hands of the IRA, Renvyle House rose from the ashes, rebuilt and resolute. However, the passage of time has not dissuaded the restless spirits from roaming its corridors. To this day, guests and staff have reported uncanny encounters and inexplicable phenomena within these historic walls. 

Renvyle House remains not only a haven of hospitality but also a portal into the enigmatic world of the supernatural, where the echoes of the past continue to whisper their secrets.

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References:

A Low, Long, Sea Grey House | Renvyle House Hotel & Resort ****, Connemara, Co. Galway, H91 X8Y8 

Renvyle House Hotel | Haunted Galway, Ireland | Spirited Isle 

Renvyle House Hotel, Galway, Ireland | Haunted Rooms®