Skies over the city, Cork

Cork City was witness to a bizarre and terrifying spectacle in October 1621 when two enormous flocks of starlings gathered over the city, one to the east and one to the west. For several days, these birds hovered, seemingly on the brink of action, until on October 12th, they clashed in mid-air, their battle raging over the city streets and leaving the ground strewn with dead and wounded birds. The carnage was so intense it seemed like a dark omen had descended upon the city.

Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Belfast

At the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Belfast, a rather intriguing photograph has been doing the rounds. It appears to show a spooky figure sitting in a train carriage, but as is often the case with these things, there's a perfectly rational explanation. The image was captured using a slow shutter speed, which has led to the 'ghostly' apparition. Still, it's a great example of how easily a seemingly paranormal image can be created, and it has to be said that the photo is quite compelling.

Friar's Bush area, Belfast

Deep in the heart of Friar's Bush, a residential area in Belfast, a spine-tingling encounter has been reported. One brave soul, walking through a tunnel in this quiet neighbourhood, felt an icy grip clasp their hand. The phantom hand, a chilling apparition, seemed to materialise out of thin air, leaving the witness with a lasting sense of unease. This unsettling experience has become a talking point among locals, with many wondering about the story behind this ghostly manifestation.

Belvoir Park Hospital, Belfast

Belvoir Park Hospital in Belfast has a reputation for being haunted by the ghost of a matron. The hospital, which operated until its closure in 2006, was said to be home to a phantom presence that would walk the wards, her dress rustling along the floor. The sound of her footsteps and the faint sight of her figure have been reported by numerous staff members over the years. Since the hospital's closure, security personnel have reported strange occurrences, including unexplained shadows and sounds, which have left them spooked.

Sea off Galley Head Lighthouse, Galley Head

Off the rugged coast of Galley Head in County Cork, Ireland, a ghostly apparition has been witnessed for many weeks after a tragic maritime disaster. The phantom ship, believed to be the Ceylon, a barque that wrecked on the rocks close to the Galley Head Lighthouse around 1840, is said to replay its final moments in a haunting spectacle. Local fishermen, accustomed to the sight, reportedly ignored the ghostly apparition, which was seen breaking up with the loss of all hands on board. This eerie phenomenon has become a part of local folklore, with many claiming to have seen the doomed vessel relive its last moments.

General area, Doneraile

The rolling countryside around Doneraile is home to a most unsettling phenomenon - a phantom pack of hounds that has been terrorising locals for generations. These ghostly canines are sometimes heard but not seen, their mournful howls echoing through the Irish landscape like a chilling spectre. At other times, they're observed in silence, their ethereal forms darting across the fields and hills with an unnerving speed. It's little wonder that this haunting has become the stuff of local legend.