On a sunny day in Cork, you’d never guess.

But beneath the city’s vibrant surface lies a hidden history, one whispered about in hushed tones over late-night pints.

We’re talking about restless spirits, of shadowy figures flitting through murky old halls. Buckle up, because we’re diving headfirst into the spookiest corners of Cork, according to the residents who know it best.

From former priories to eerie streets with some truly horrible history, these are the most haunted locations in Cork, according to locals:

Gallows Green

It’s a lovely part of town. But if you’re new to Cork you might not realise that one city neighbourhood has an especially creepy past, although its name could be a dead giveaway. Gallow’s Green, the area adjacent to St Finbarr’s West Church on the intersection of Gould Street and Green Street, was where criminals were executed from the middle of the eighteenth century until the early nineteenth century.

In July 1990, human remains were uncovered in the back garden of a private residence in Greenmount. At least fifteen individuals were recovered from the area. None of the skeletons were complete and many of the bones were broken. In one area all the long bones were stacked neatly together, with the skulls lying close by.

“I don’t know what it is about that area.” reader Sharon Higgins told us.

“When I lived there I felt like there were days when you can feel something odd in the air.”

Our Lady’s Hospital and St Kevin’s Asylum

The remains of a murky chapter of often-forced institutionalisation in Cork’s history looms large over the Lee Fields, reminding us all of the countless ghost stories reported from inside its walls before and, indeed after it closed its doors in 1992.

Security guards tasked with looking after the property describe unnerving encounters with apparitions and frequently heard footsteps, screams, and strange noises during the long, dark night shifts. Visitors have described the atmosphere inside as unwelcoming, sinister and ‘evil’.

Part of the building is now the Atkin’s Hall apartment complex.

St John’s House, Youghal

According to some visitors, this Youghal coffee shop isn’t just serving brews, it’s brewing chills. Now a lovely Priory Coffee shop (best mochas in town) part of the building dates back to the early 14th century when it was the Benedictine Priory of St John.

Oliver Cromwell is said to have used the building as his HQ in 1649 and whispers say a phantom monk roams the halls, vanishing into walls and protecting them from Cromwell’s ghost army.

Believers say marching footsteps add to the spooky vibes. So grab a latte and see if you encounter any history on your next visit.

The Oval, South Main Street

Sometimes you’d be haunted to find a seat in The Oval on a busy night, but the 200-year-old building is renowned locally for hosting far more spirits than what you can see in bottles behind the bar.

Ghostly goings-on are generally focused in the bar area, where the spectre of a uniformed soldier has been seen near the fireplace, but staff report the strangest vibes on the top floor, which used to be an apartment inhabited by a family until the 1940s. A cold chill permeates the place and weird noises are frequently heard by bar staff locking up.

“Back in Victorian times, city pubs were often used for inquests on those who had died ‘nearby’.” reader Patrick O’Donovan told us.

“It (The Oval) was called the Napoleon Tavern between 1859 and 1865.”

Three Castle Head 

Located on the wild Mizen Peninsula in West Cork, Dunlough Castle (aka Three Castle Head) is straight out of a spooky movie. Built in the 13th century by Donagh O’Mahony, the ruins whisper tales of rebellious sons, hidden loot, and a vengeful ghost lady in white. Legend says a drop of blood falls daily from the tower into the lake below, and seeing the ghostly lady is a bad omen.

Many a tourist has left in a hurry and the site is one of the last beauty spots visited by film-maker Sophie Toscan du Plantier before her tragic murder in 1996. You can visit from April until December.

Cork City Gaol

Opened in 1824, prisoners at the city gaol at Sunday’s Well endured some of the most gruelling sentences in Irish history and it seems that many of its inhabitants have stuck around to tell the tale.

Figures that have been seen drifting among the corridors and cells include a tall, thin woman dressed in 18th-century clothing and while staff say they haven’t experienced anything sinister, they do try to ignore the random switching on of electrical items and a tugging feeling akin to a small child trying to get their attention.

Workers stationed at the site while it was being turned into the heritage centre we know and love today reported hearing a child saying “Daddy”.

The venue has hosted the World Ghost Convention on more than one occasion for a reason.

The Franciscan Well Bar 

This North Mall spot is serving up more than just pints. The Franciscan Well Bar & Brewery is built on spooky grounds – a medieval monastery. Whispers of rattled chains, slamming doors, and unseen hands have long left staff spooked.

In the 1990s, a priest even performed an exorcism in the building in attempt to convince the spirit guests to ship out. Cold spots and ghostly goings-on still persist… blessing or not, the verdict’s still out.