Haunted Dublin: Ghosts, Demons, Fairies and the Occult

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Behind the medieval churches, ancient streets and Georgian squares lies another Dublin, a city of ghosts, demons, supernatural beliefs, strange deaths, witchcraft and occult practices and stories that have survived for centuries.

Haunted Dublin: Ghosts, Demons, Fairies & the Occult is a dark Dublin ghost tour exploring the supernatural history of Dublin City Centre through extraordinary stories drawn from manuscripts, court records, folklore, historical accounts and other sources.

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Beginning at St Patrick's Cathedral, the tour moves through St Audoen's Church, Grattan Bridge, George's Street Arcade, Newman University Church, 3 Ely Place, Merrion Square, Freemasons' Hall and the Shelbourne Hotel.
 

Along the way, discover:
 

• Demons and dark stories from Dublin's religious history

• A strange exorcism and alleged supernatural encounter

• The darker side of Irish fairy folklore

• A bizarre 17th-century account of human combustion

• Stories of fairies connected with St Stephen's Green

• W. B. Yeats, séances, Theosophy and occult Dublin

• Victorian and Edwardian ghost hunters and supernatural investigations

• Legends connecting Freemasonry, the Devil and the Night of the Big Wind

• Hauntings, mediums and the story of Mary Masters at the Shelbourne
   

The stories come from a mixture of historical accounts, manuscripts, folklore, contemporary reports, literary sources and later investigations.

Some are documented events. Others are legends, supernatural traditions or stories whose truth cannot be established.

What matters is that these stories reveal something extraordinary about Dublin: the ways people across different centuries understood ghosts, demons, fairies, magic, death and the unseen world.

 

What you'll see

St Patrick's Cathedral
One of Ireland’s most famous medieval cathedrals. We’ll begin with demons and some of the darker stories from Dublin’s religious history.
St Audoen’s Church

One of Dublin’s oldest surviving medieval churches. We’ll hear the strange story of an exorcism and a supposed encounter with the supernatural.
Grattan Bridge

Built in 1816, this historic bridge crosses the River Liffey. We’ll delve into Irish fairy folklore and the darker side of the fairy world.
George’s Street Arcade

Opened in 1881, it is one of Dublin’s oldest shopping arcades. We’ll look at a strange 17th-century story of human combustion.
Newman University Church

A beautiful 19th-century church on St Stephen’s Green. We’ll return to Irish fairy folklore and a strange story of fairies coming to St Stephen’s Green.
3 Ely Place

A historic Georgian building with links to Dublin’s Theosophical community. We’ll explore W.B. Yeats, séances and Dublin’s fascination with the occult.
Merrion Square

One of Dublin’s finest Georgian squares. We’ll meet the ghost hunters who investigated Dublin’s supernatural world.
Freemasons’ Hall

The historic headquarters of Irish Freemasonry, built in 1869. We’ll uncover the legends linking Freemasonry, the Devil and the Night of the Big Wind.
The Shelbourne Hotel

One of Dublin’s most famous historic hotels, opened in 1824. We’ll finish with hauntings, mediums and the story of little Mary Masters.
 

What the tour is like

This is a small-group public walking tour, offering a more personal and relaxed experience with plenty of opportunities to ask questions, take photographs and enjoy Dublin's atmosphere along the way.

Rather than overwhelming you with dates and facts, we'll explore the darker side of Dublin through its ghost stories, witchcraft, fairy folklore, séances, haunted places and occult history. The aim is to uncover the fascinating legends and beliefs hidden behind the streets and buildings you pass, and let you decide where history ends and the supernatural begins.

Want to know who's behind Dublin Walking Tours? Meet your guides and learn more about the person leading your Dublin experience
 

Who is this tour for?

For anyone fascinated by Dublin’s dark history, Irish folklore, ghost stories, the occult and the supernatural, and for visitors who enjoy exploring Dublin City Centre on foot.
 

Tour details

Duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Meeting point: The Gaiety Theatre
Finish: Shelbourne Hotel, Stephen's Green

Type: Public small-group walking tour
 

Ready to explore Dublin?

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