Dublin Ghost Tour

Explore Dublin Through it’s Haunted History

Looking for a chilling way to explore Dublin? The Ghost Walking Tour takes you deep into the city’s eerie past which is full of haunted cathedrals, dark alleys and mythical spirits. Whether you’re a fan of folklore, curious about Dublin’s darker chapters, or just in the mood for something unique, this tour is a must.

Led by our social programme team at Atlas Language School, it’s an unforgettable way to see a side of Dublin most visitors miss.

 1. ONE CENTRAL PLAZA – Meeting the Banshee

Our spooky stroll begins at One Central Plaza. Right away, you’ll meet Ireland’s most famous ghostly figure, the Banshee. This mythical female spirit is said to wail before a death, with only one person able to hear her cry. While she doesn’t cause death, her chilling screams have been said to drive listeners mad. A perfect intro to the haunted heart of Dublin!

[Walk through Temple Bar, toward Fishamble Street…]

2. FISHAMBLE STREET – The Tragic Tale of Darkey Kelly

Just across from her namesake pub, we meet Darkey Kelly, one of Dublin’s most infamous figures. In the 1700s, she ran a brothel and was later accused of being a witch, serial killer, and even of killing a child in a satanic ritual. Her punishment? She was partially hanged and burned at the stake. Some call her Ireland’s first serial killer, others say she was framed by powerful men. Either way, her ghost is said to still roam these streets…

 3. CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL – The Heart Returns

This stunning cathedral is not just home to Viking artefacts and Dublin’s largest crypt, it’s also where Saint Laurence O’Toole’s heart was stolen in 2012. The thief returned it years later, supposedly to lift a curse of sickness and misfortune. And then there’s Tom and Jerry, a mummified cat and rat eternally frozen in chase within the organ pipes.

Listen for the ghostly cries of a soldier who starved to death inside the crypt… and watch for the grey monks and a veiled woman thought to be, once again, Darkey Kelly, praying at the altar before floating through the stained-glass windows.

4. ST. AUDEON’S CHURCH – The Green Lady and the Gate of Hell

Dating back to the 12th century, this is the last medieval church in Dublin  and a hotspot for ghost sightings. It once bordered an area known as “Hell,” where criminals met and bodies were hung over the arch as warnings.

Keep an eye out for The Green Lady (yes, that’s Darkey Kelly again), said to be searching for her lost baby. You’ll also hear of the terrifying Black Pig, a half-man, half-beast that terrorised Dublin women in the 18th century  until he was unmasked as a criminal in disguise.

5. ST. PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL & MARSH’S LIBRARY – Love, Loss, and Bodysnatchers

Beside this beautiful cathedral lies Marsh’s Library, Ireland’s oldest public library, and one of its most haunted. The ghost of Archbishop Narcissus Marsh is said to still search the shelves for a note left by his runaway niece, Grace.

And don’t miss the cages at the back, once used to lock in readers to prevent theft; one even holds a replica of Stella’s skull, the partner of Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels. His ghost is said to visit her here.

You’ll also hear about bodysnatchers, who sold corpses to medical schools, and how unsafe alcohol may have caused people to be buried alive. That’s where the Irish tradition of a “wake” may have come from; just in case the dead weren’t really dead.

6. DUBLIN CASTLE – Dracula’s Dublin

Our tour ends at the ominous Dublin Castle, a place of torture, rebellion, and bloodshed. It was once home to Bram Stoker, the creator of Dracula  and it’s not hard to see why he was inspired.

In the past, Catholic priests were hunted, tied to horses, and dragged here. Suspects were tortured by pitch capping, and the bodies of rebels lie buried beneath the castle.

The Upper Yard was once known as “Devil’s Half”, and many believe the spirits of the tortured still linger.

🗺️ Practical Info for the Tour:

If you’re taking a full-time course at Atlas Language School Dublin, you’ll get access to a wide range of electives and social activities and one of the most unforgettable (and completely free) is our Ghost Walking Tour, guided by one of our social programme leaders.

🕰️ Time: 1.5 to 2 hours (easy walking pace, with chills!)
📍 Start: One Central Plaza (just a short walk from Atlas)
📍 End: Dublin Castle (City Centre)
Great For: History lovers, folklore fans, thrill seekers, curious minds

Whether you’re into haunted legends, Irish myths, or just want to explore Dublin from a different angle, this tour offers a unique glimpse into the city’s shadowy past. Keep your eyes open… you never know who (or what) you might see.