The largest city and capital of the “Emerald Isle” is the city of Dublin, Ireland. There is no lack for culture and history in Dublin, but there are so many other aspects of the city that make it one of the most popular European destinations for holiday and vacation travelers. Interestingly enough, if you’re a fan of the paranormal, Dublin is a haunted paradise worth exploring. The following is a list of recommendations for the top haunted destinations in the city of Dublin.
St. Michan’s Church
For 500 years or longer, this structure was the only parish church situated north of the River Liffey. Founded by a colony of Danes at the end of the 11th century (1095), St. Michan’s is considered to be one of the top haunted locations in the city. The interesting feature is the gallery of coffins, some open for viewing, which is reached by a dark stone, narrow stairway.
Killakee House
Once dilapidated over time, the house was renovated by new owners in 1968. Their plan was to turn Killakee House into an arts and cultural center. When the renovations were going on, some of the construction workers actually were living on the property and had to quickly adjust to the ghostly occurrences and sounds that they encountered. Ironically, the haunter is not male or female. It is a large black cat whom many of the workers claimed to appear in front of them and then mysterious vanish into this air just as quickly as it appeared.
Kilmainhan Gaol
The structure is currently the largest, unoccupied prisons in all of Ireland and operated from 1796 until it closed in 1924. Numerous executions were conducted within the prison’s walls and supposedly, many of the hauntings on record are believed to be at the hands of these executed criminals of the past. During the 1960’s, there were plans to restore the site and make it a tourist attraction because of the haunting lore of the prison’s gruesome history.
Malahide Castle
Considered a must-see on your haunted vacation itinerary, Malahide has long been viewed as the most haunted castle in the city of Dublin. The original structure was built somewhere around 1185 (date is unclear). For nearly 800 years, it was the site of constant sieges and wars occurring in order to displace the family of Richard Talbot and future descendants.
The Hill of Tara
Although the hill does not appear as a part of the landscape that is worth exploring due to being void of any spectacular ruins, it is considered to be one of the most haunted locations in Ireland. The location is nothing short of magical and mysterious where legends of hauntings are concerned. When you walk the numerous footpaths of the hill and its surrounds, legend has it that you will experience walking alongside heroes and kings from past Dublin and Irish history.
Photo of Malahide Dublin’s Castle by Catherine Kolodziej (Calyon).
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