The Woman in Headscarf
Perched high above the rugged Irish landscape, the Owencarrow Viaduct stands as a testament to engineering prowess, yet its history is marred by tragedy. In 1925, a freak gust of wind had a devastating impact, blowing a train over the edge of the viaduct and claiming the lives of four people. Since then, locals and visitors alike have reported encountering a ghostly figure - a woman dressed in attire reminiscent of the 1920s, complete with a headscarf. Her presence is a poignant reminder of the lives lost on that fateful day.
Delving deeper into the history of the viaduct reveals a pattern of unexplained occurrences. Prior to the 1925 accident, an old man, believed to have been a worker killed during the construction of the line, was seen walking along the tracks. On the day of the accident, this same figure appeared to Kathleen McGinley as she walked to catch the train; he warned her against travelling, and she heeded his advice, cancelling her trip. The connection between these events and the subsequent sightings of the woman in a headscarf remains a topic of interest for those drawn to the paranormal.
The viaduct was built as part of a railway line in the early 20th century. A tragic accident in 1925 resulted in the loss of four lives.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Lady in Blue Apparition
Old Ard Mhuire Friary, Creeslough
Old Ard Mhuire Friary in Creeslough seems like an unassuming spot but locals know it harbours some pretty unusual secrets. A priest on the staircase caught a glimpse of a ghostly lady dressed in blue hovering at the top. It's not clear what she's doing there but her presence has been noted. There's also talk of another phantom, this one a woman in white, haunting the path that leads to the beach. And if that's not enough, some say a man killed by the Whiteboys organisation is also haunting the place.
Phantom White Horse Apparition
Father Hegarty's Rock, Buncrana
Father Hegarty's Rock on the cliffs of Buncrana is the spot where a chilling encounter took place one night in the early 1990s. Four friends out quad biking were making their way along the cliff path when suddenly they had to slam on the brakes. A ghostly white horse had appeared out of nowhere, rearing up in front of them. The friends were shocked and amazed as the phantom horse vanished into thin air. It quickly dawned on them that if the horse hadn't intervened, they would have driven right over the edge of the cliff. It was a terrifying and unforgettable experience that left them shaken.
Galloper Thompson Haunting
Alexandra Park Avenue and Shore Road, Belfast
Along the scenic Alexandra Park Avenue and Shore Road in Belfast, a rather unusual haunting has been reported. This eerie phenomenon centres around a member of the Thompson family who had a passion for horses. Following his death in the nineteenth century, his spirit was said to take to galloping along the Avenue after dark, with his horse seemingly materialising from the family stable. The poor animal would be found exhausted the next morning, bearing witness to the ghostly nocturnal activities of its former owner, affectionately nicknamed 'Galloper Thompson'.
The Highwayman's Tragic Wife
Upper Dunmurry Lane, Drumbeg
Upper Dunmurry Lane in Drumbeg is home to a heartbreaking apparition. A withered lady carrying a young child in her arms has been spotted here. Her story is one of love, loss, and tragedy. They say she was the wife of a highwayman who met his end on the gallows nearby. Consumed by grief, she took her own life and that of her child. Now, her spirit roams these roads, forever trapped in that moment of unimaginable sorrow.
Ghostly Night Watchman Footsteps
Clothing Mill, Dunmurry
In the sleepy town of Dunmurry, a strange phenomenon occurred at the local clothing mill. For three weeks after his death, the sound of footsteps could be heard patrolling the factory and leaving the night watchman's former cottage. It was as if William Tannahill, the deceased night watchman, was still carrying out his duties. The eerie footsteps were a mystery to those who heard them, and they seemed to cease only when a new evening guard was appointed.
Cobh Cemetery Funeral Apparition
Clonmel Cemetery, Cobh
Clonmel Cemetery in Cobh is a place where the veil between worlds seems remarkably thin. A graves inspector was taking photographs by the wall when they were startled by the murmur of many voices and footsteps approaching from the road. It was as if a funeral procession was making its way towards the cemetery, but when the inspector turned to face the direction of the sounds, there was nothing to be seen. The eerie procession seemed to vanish into thin air as the inspector walked a short way down the road and the sounds ceased. The witness quickly left the site, no doubt shaken by the inexplicable experience.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Owencarrow Viaduct area
