The Red Mary of Leamaneh
Leamaneh Castle stands eerily in the heart of The Burren, its stone walls bearing witness to centuries of turmoil and tragedy. It's said that Mary O'Brien, a woman with a fearsome reputation for cruelty, once called this castle home. Her servants lived in terror of her wrath, and it's rumoured that those who made mistakes paid the ultimate price - their lives. The locals claim that Mary's spirit still roams these halls, a malevolent presence that refuses to rest.
Historical records suggest that Mary O'Brien's life was marked by brutality and violence. She was often accused of witchcraft, and her treatment of servants was frequently cited as evidence of her supposed dark arts. Some say she was eventually punished for her crimes, left to starve to death in a hollow tree. Others claim she was hanged by her enemies. Whatever the truth may be, one thing is certain - Mary's spirit is said to haunt Leamaneh Castle to this day. Her ghostly form, sometimes referred to as 'Red Mary', is reportedly seen wandering the castle grounds, a chilling apparition that strikes fear into the hearts of those who claim to have seen her.
The castle dates back to the 16th century, a time of great turmoil in Ireland.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Mysterious Motorway Hitchhiker
M1 between Lisburn and Hillsborough, Lisburn
The M1 motorway, which connects Lisburn to Hillsborough in Northern Ireland, has a reputation for being haunted by a young woman. She is said to appear to drivers, often at night, and ask for a lift. This is where the story takes a strange turn - shortly after she gets into the car, she vanishes into thin air. It's a classic ghost story that has been told and retold, but the truth behind it remains a mystery. Was she a hitchhiker who met a tragic end, or is she a spirit trying to communicate with the living?
Mysterious Eel-like Creature
Bridge near to Ballynahinch Castle, Ballynahinch
Ballynahinch Castle bridge was the unlikely home to a bizarre creature back in the 1880s. A long eel-like creature got stuck under this bridge and remained there for two days, leaving locals and travellers alike scratching their heads. The creature's presence was a mystery, and it's unclear what kind of impact it had on the community. What we do know is that it was a strange and unusual occurrence that has been documented in local history.
Lisburn Army Base Haunting
Army Base, Lisburn
The Lisburn Army Base on Packard Road was once home to a flurry of paranormal activity. It started in 1996 and carried on for about four years. People stationed at the base reported hearing disembodied footsteps and strange moaning sounds. It wasn't just the eerie noises that had them spooked - items would go missing or be thrown around, adding to the sense of unease. Although the base itself is no longer standing, the memory of those unsettling events lives on.
The Phantom Nurse of Lisburn
M1, Lisburn
On the M1 motorway near Lisburn, a chilling sighting has been reported by multiple witnesses. A young woman, dressed in a tartan coat and carrying a suitcase, was seen walking in the centre of the motorway. Her long, dark hair was a striking feature, and her presence was all the more unsettling given the unusual location. As one witness drove past in a car, they caught a glimpse of the woman from the back window, but she had vanished into thin air. This eerie apparition has been linked to a tragic incident in which a nurse was knocked over and killed along the same road.
Piper's Hill Poltergeist
House along Piper's Hill, Lisburn
On Piper's Hill in Lisburn, a house had been boarded up, but that didn't stop the strange occurrences. Neighbours reported hearing someone walking up and down the staircase in heavy boots, the sound of footsteps echoing through the empty halls. It was as if an unseen presence had taken up residence, refusing to vacate the premises. The creaking of the stairs and the thud of footsteps were unmistakable, leaving onlookers with a sense of unease.
The Tall Woman of Piper's Hill
House along Piper's Hill, Lisburn
Piper's Hill in Lisburn is home to a rather intriguing haunting. A tall, ghostly woman dressed in clothing reminiscent of a Huguenot has been seen manifesting by the fireplace in a house on the hill. She appears to be a gentle soul, as she simply walks into the kitchen before vanishing into thin air. The exact date of her appearances is unclear, but it's believed to be sometime before 1958.