- Ballyscullion House and the Ghostly Coach: Ballyscullion House is haunted by a ghostly coach, driven by a spectral figure, heard rumbling through the grounds at night. The 18th-century estate fell into ruin after financial troubles. Local lore ties the coach to a cursed Hervey family member, per oral tradition. Ballyscullion House, near Bellaghy, County Derry.
- Boom Hall and the Drowned Woman’s Ghost: Boom Hall is haunted by a woman’s ghost, possibly a servant, seen wandering the ruins, dripping wet from drowning in the River Foyle. The 18th-century mansion fell into ruin after economic decline. Dúchas.ie records tales of spectral figures tied to tragic accidents near the river. Boom Hall, near Derry city, County Derry.
- Coleraine Town Hall and the Lady in Grey: Coleraine Town Hall is haunted by a Lady in Grey, seen in the corridors, believed to be a former resident mourning a lost love. The 19th-century building served civic functions. Oral traditions link the ghost to romantic tragedies in Coleraine’s history. Coleraine Town Hall, Coleraine, County Derry.
- Dungiven Priory and the Warrior’s Ghost: Dungiven Priory is haunted by a spectral warrior, seen near the O’Cahan tomb, believed to be a knight killed in a clan feud. The 12th-century priory was an O’Cahan stronghold. Local lore ties the ghost to medieval conflicts, per Dúchas.ie. Dungiven Priory, Dungiven, County Derry.
- Garvagh Forest and the Spectral Druid: Garvagh Forest is haunted by a spectral druid, seen near ancient stones, guarding long-forgotten rituals. The area’s prehistoric sites inspire tales of druidic spirits. Dúchas.ie mentions ghostly figures tied to Garvagh’s Celtic past. Garvagh Forest, near Garvagh, County Derry.
- Limavady and the Phantom Horseman: Limavady’s roads are haunted by a ghostly horseman, believed to be an O’Cahan warrior killed in battle, seeking his lost home. The area saw clan conflicts in the 16th century. Dúchas.ie records tales of spectral riders tied to Limavady’s turbulent past. Limavady, County Derry.
- Magherafelt Church and the Phantom Bell: Magherafelt Church is haunted by a phantom bell that tolls at midnight, rung by a ghostly parishioner lost in a storm. The 18th-century church has tales of rural tragedies. Dúchas.ie mentions spectral bells linked to lost souls in Magherafelt. Magherafelt Church, Magherafelt, County Derry.
- Mussenden Temple and the Phantom Piper: Mussenden Temple is haunted by a ghostly piper, whose music echoes along the cliffs, believed to be a soldier killed in battle. Built in 1785, the temple overlooks a stormy coast. Dúchas.ie includes tales of spectral music tied to Downhill’s military history. Mussenden Temple, near Castlerock, County Derry.
- Portstewart Strand and the Drowned Fisherman: Portstewart Strand is haunted by a drowned fisherman, whose ghostly moans and wet footsteps are heard during storms. The coast’s fishing community faced frequent sea tragedies. Dúchas.ie includes tales of spectral fishermen tied to Portstewart’s maritime history. Portstewart Strand, Portstewart, County Derry.
- Saint Columba’s Well in Derry City: Saint Columba’s Well offers cures for ailments, particularly eye diseases, when pilgrims perform rituals with its water and nearby sacred stones. Saint Columba, a 6th-century saint, founded a monastery in Derry. Dúchas.ie documents the well’s healing reputation, blending Christian and pagan traditions. Long Tower Church area, Derry city, County Derry.
- Springhill House and the Banshee’s Wail: Springhill House is haunted by a banshee, whose cry foretells death for the Lenox-Conyngham family, heard in the attic at night. The 17th-century house was a family seat for centuries. Dúchas.ie notes banshee tales linked to the family’s Gaelic connections. Springhill House, near Moneymore, County Derry.
- The Banshee of Springhill House: Springhill House is haunted by a banshee, whose wail foretells death for the Lenox-Conyngham family, former residents of the estate. Banshees are female spirits tied to Gaelic families. Dúchas.ie includes accounts of banshee cries near Springhill, reflecting its history as a family seat. Springhill House, near Moneymore, County Derry.
- The Cursed Stone of Tamlaghtard: A standing stone in Tamlaghtard is cursed, causing misfortune to those who touch or move it, as it marks a druidic site protected by ancient spells. Megalithic stones are linked to druids or fairies in Irish lore. Dúchas.ie notes local fears of disturbing stones in Derry’s rural areas. Tamlaghtard, near Magilligan, County Derry.
- The Fairy Fort of Maghera: A ring fort in Maghera is a fairy fort, home to the aos sí (fairy folk), who curse those who disturb it with illness or misfortune. Ring forts, Iron Age structures, are seen as Otherworld portals in Celtic folklore. Dúchas.ie notes farmers in Maghera avoiding the fort to appease fairies. Maghera, near Magherafelt, County Derry.
- The Fairy Hawthorn of Coleraine: A lone hawthorn tree in Coleraine is a fairy tree, sacred to the aos sí, and cutting it invites curses like illness or livestock death. Fairy trees are rooted in Celtic beliefs about the Otherworld. Dúchas.ie records farmers in Coleraine avoiding such trees to prevent fairy retribution. Coleraine, County Derry.
- The Fairy Music of Glenshane: Glenshane’s hills echo with fairy music at dusk, luring listeners into the Otherworld if they follow the sound. Fairy music is a common motif in Irish folklore, tied to enchanted landscapes. Dúchas.ie mentions supernatural sounds in Glenshane, enhancing its mystical reputation. Glenshane, near Dungiven, County Derry.
- The Ghost of Boom Hall: Boom Hall is haunted by the ghost of a woman, possibly a servant, who drowned in the River Foyle, her spirit wandering the ruins in distress. Built in the 18th century, Boom Hall’s decline fueled ghost stories. Dúchas.ie records tales of spectral figures tied to the estate’s tragic history. Boom Hall, near Derry city, County Derry.
- The Phantom Piper of Mussenden Temple: A ghostly piper plays haunting tunes near Mussenden Temple, believed to be a soldier killed during a battle, his spirit bound to the cliffs. The temple, built in 1785, overlooks a stormy coast, inspiring maritime folklore. Dúchas.ie includes accounts of ghostly music in Downhill’s history. Mussenden Temple, near Castlerock, County Derry.
- The Púca of Benevenagh: Benevenagh Mountain is home to a púca, a shape-shifting creature appearing as a black horse or goat, tricking travellers or offering cryptic warnings. The púca is a mischievous figure in Irish mythology, suited to rugged landscapes. Dúchas.ie mentions púca sightings on Benevenagh, tied to its dramatic cliffs. Benevenagh Mountain, near Limavady, County Derry.
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County Derry:
Ireland’s county Derry offers a rich historical tapestry, with the city’s 17th-century walls providing a walkable journey through its past. The Guildhall and Tower Museum explore Derry’s maritime and political history, while the Peace Bridge offers scenic views over the River Foyle. Derry is Ireland’s 15th largest county by size (2,067 square km) and sixth largest by population (252,231). Population previously peaked at 222,174 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 139,693 in 1926. In terms of hospitality, Derry is Ireland’s 16th most visited tourist county with around 135,000 international visitors per year.
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