But that culture has also produced tales of paranormal beings, such as screaming banshees and Balor, the Celtic God of Death. While such beliefs may not be as widespread anymore, several locations off the beaten path will serve as intriguing detours for lovers of the supernatural.
Apart from the locations of ‘Westeros’, the Giant’s Causeway, and the Titanic Quarter, Northern Ireland is in fact a treasure trove of paranormal locales whose dark histories have certainly appealed to people - with ghost-hunting documentaries and podcasts galore, and such luminaries as Demi Lovato reporting ghostly encounters, interest in the unexplained has arguably never been higher.
The fascination with the macabre which has lasted centuries in Ireland has resulted in tales of murdered lovers, bloodthirsty vampires, and uneasy feelings in externally innocent sites.
If you are a fan of the ghoulish, here are 10 of the most haunted places in Northern Ireland you should know about:
9. Friar's Bush Graveyard, Belfast
Belfast’s oldest Christian burial ground, located not far from Queen’s University, was also used as a mass grave for cholera victims in the 19th Century. While burials no longer take place at the cemetery, the spirits of cholera victims have apparently been seen walking among the graves at night. However, the more haunting feature lies beneath; an underground tunnel connects the graveyard to the David Keir and Ashby Buildings of Queen’s University and users of the tunnel have claimed to have been touched by ghostly hands. Take Metro 8A-B from Belfast city centre, get off at Botanic Gardens and walk down Stranmillis Road to see if you can catch a glimpse of the spirits. To learn more, go to belfastcity.gov.uk/friar-s-bush Photo: Google
10. Springhill House, Moneymore
This illustrious country house located in south Derry was once the home for 10 generations of the same family of Scottish immigrants. Today, the ‘friendly’ spirit of Olivia Stewart, the daughter of the 19th-century Viscount of Castlereagh has been rumoured to haunt the grounds. She is reportedly most likely to be seen by children and supposedly exudes a warm, peaceful feeling. Bus services from Belfast to Cookstown stop in Moneymore - visitors can alight and walk the one mile down Springhill Road. To find out more, go to nationaltrust.org.uk/springhill