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The banshee. Alamy Stock Photo
Spooky

Quiz: How much do you know about Irish ghost stories?

Ireland, the home of Halloween, has a long history of otherworldly folklore.
10.01pm, 5 Oct 2025
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19

THE LINE-UP FOR Dublin City Council’s Bram Stoker festival was released this week.

The four-night event, which takes place on the last weekend in October, celebrates the legacy of one of Ireland’s most iconic (and scariest) writers.

Bram Stoker is just one of the many Irish people who have contributed to our spooky lore. Ireland, the home of Halloween, has a long history of otherworldly folklore.

In honour of the quickly approaching Oíche Shamhna, it’s time to test your knowledge on Irish ghost stories.

Which of these Irish castles bills itself as the most haunted castle in the world?
Kilkenny Castle, Co Kilkenny
Leap Castle, Co Offaly

Slane Castle, Co Meath
Malahide Castle, Co Dublin
What or who apparently haunts Leap Castle in Co Offaly?
Alamy Stock Photo
A vengeful Pomeranian puppy
A groom who was killed on his wedding day

A red lady holding a dagger
A small boy looking for his mother
What is the meaning of the appearance of the banshee in Irish folklore?
Alamy Stock Photo
All your crops will die
Good fortune is on the way

You will never sleep again
A family member will die
While we are on the subject of scary Irish witches, what does The Chailleach or The Hag of Beara supposedly represent?
Alamy Stock Photo
The beginning of winter
More death, unfortunately

Many sheep will fall ill
A decade of bad luck
Another spooky location in Ireland is Loftus Hall in Co Wexford which is allegedly haunted by the Devil. What gave the Devil's identity away in The Legend of the Devil and Miss Tottenham?
Alamy Stock Photo
He kept talking about hell
His cloven hooves

His horns
His tail
Dame Alice Kyteler was the first recorded person condemned for witchcraft in Ireland. Why did her family think she was a witch?
Alamy Stock Photo
She contracted pneumonia and it changed her appearance
She was an independent business woman

She kept saying: "Double, double, toil and trouble"
She outlived four of her husbands and was accused of murdering one of them
A man once allegedly saw such atrocious otherworldly things occurring in The Hellfire Club in Co Dublin that he ______?
Alamy Stock Photo
Never spoke again
Immediately died

Could not remember his name
Left in a hurry
Which five-star hotel in Ireland is famously haunted by a little girl?
Alamy Stock Photo
The Shelbourne Hotel, Co Dublin
Glenlo Abbey, Co Galway

Adare Manor Hotel, Co Limerick
Powerscourt Hotel, Co Wicklow
Bram Stoker's Dracula is thought to be inspired by which Irish mythical creature?
Alamy Stock Photo
The Abhartach
The Dearg Due

The Púca
A changeling
Now, to end the quiz on a lighter tone. In the past, why did Irish people carve turnips at Halloween rather than pumpkins?
National Museum of Ireland
Turnips were an easy to find alternative to pumpkins
Pumpkins weren't common in Ireland at the time

To trick or ward away any malevolent spirits
Turnips were easier to carve
Answer all the questions to see your result!
Alamy Stock Photo
You scored out of !
You are hauntingly bad at this
Share your result:
Alamy Stock Photo
You scored out of !
That's the spirit! Halfway there!
Share your result:
You scored out of !
You are as clever as Miss Tottenham from Loftus Hall!
Share your result:

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