Creepy Crawl: 4 of the best places in Cork for a spooky stroll this Halloween
Do you believe in ghosts and ghouls?
Cork is pretty cool. But, did you know it has some bone-chilling history too? Whether you want to visit a castle, a prison, or even a pub, you won’t need to look too far to find something creepy hiding below the surface.
Maybe you’re a believer in things that go bump in the night or maybe you laugh in the face of danger… either way, we’ve compiled a list of places in Cork that will test your mettle.
Here are four spots to explore during the spookiest month of the year:
1. Cork City Gaol
This infamous Sunday’s Well site originally opened in 1824 and, let us tell you, it has seen some things.
The prison was seriously overcrowded during many points in its horrible history, leaving inmates starved and sick. Because of this, it’s widely believed to be haunted.
The 197-year-old structure is an architectural landmark regardless. It’s tucked away only 2km from the city centre and with no pre-booking required, you can make a spontaneous trip… if you’re feeling brave enough.
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2. Charles Fort
As if we needed a reason to head to Kinsale, there’s plenty of Halloween lore to lure you to the coast at this time of year.
The story of The White Lady has been around for decades. There’s even a hotel in Kinsale named after the ghostly figure. As the story goes, Ms Wilful Warrender, devastated after the death of her new husband at her father’s hand, threw herself into the icy waters below the fort.
Kinsale residents have logged many a report of the White Lady wandering the area as well as the streets of the town. Will you spot her on your next trip?
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3. Spike Island
From Cobh, you’ll need to hop on a ferry to Spike Island, where what used to be the world’s largest prison awaits.
There are literally centuries worth of terrifying history within these walls. The cells were jam-packed with inmates and (this goes without saying), conditions were a little… unsanitary.
True fright fans can book tickets for one of their infamous After Dark Tours.
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Book Your Spike Island tour here.
4. The Franciscan Well
Listen, after all of this terrifying talk, we could all do with a drink.
The Franciscan Well is based in the heart of the city and was once the home of a 13th-century monastery. Some have even seen a monk roaming around in the pub itself.
In the 1990s, a ton of paranormal events took place at the Fran Well; we’re talking cold spots, objects being thrown, the whole shebang. A priest has blessed the Franciscan Well since but who knows what’s still hanging around?
If ghost stories and craft beer sound like your kinda night out, make sure to wrap up October here.
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