Ireland’s haunted bridges carry more than just travellers – they hold the weight of history, tragedy, and restless spirits, writes ANN MASSEY McELROY
Ireland’s Haunted Bridges
Bridges have long been magnets for the paranormal, standing over rivers, lakes, and deep ravines—all believed to be conduits for supernatural energy.
Many paranormal investigators claim that water acts as a catalyst for hauntings, amplifying spiritual activity and trapping echoes of the past. Tragic deaths, lost souls, and restless spirits are often tied to these eerie crossings, where the boundary between the living and the dead feels unnervingly thin.
Whether you believe in ghosts or simply love a chilling tale, Ireland’s haunted bridges are sure to send a shiver down your spine. From ancient stone or wooden crossings to forgotten footbridges, each one holds a dark secret waiting to be uncovered.
Here are 10 of the most haunted bridges in Ireland — dare you cross?
John’s Bridge, Kilkenny
John’s Bridge in Kilkenny has seen several incarnations up to the early 20th century bridge we cross today. In 1763, during a devastating flood, it was a different story.
Onlookers were watching the remnants of destruction float by as they stood on John’s Bridge. The huge crowd caused the bridge to collapse, sending screaming folks into the rampaging River Nore below. Sixteen people tragically succumbed to the murky waters.
Over the centuries, there have been consistent reports of eerie apparitions rising from the river at the break of dawn. Some say they also heard feeble cries for help, while others claim to have seen shadow figures standing at the water’s edge before vanishing.
Thomond Bridge, Limerick
Limerick’s Thomond Bridge is best known for a rather unusual haunting! In the 18th century, the wife of the Bishop of Limerick was a particularly nasty piece of work, taking pleasure in causing harm to the locals she felt were beneath her.
One night she pushed a man called Drunken Thady into the River Shannon. Thady prayed hard and survived, however apparently the Bishop’s wife was not so fortunate.
During another struggle, she lost her balance and fell in herself, drowning in the strong currents. Since then, her ghost has been spotted wandering the bridge at night, looking for more victims to push to their deaths.
Witnesses report feeling a sudden cold breeze before seeing a mysterious woman in historical clothing before she disappears into the mist.
Queen’s Bridge, Belfast
One of Belfast’s most chilling ghost stories revolves around Queen’s Bridge, which replaced the Long Bridge in 1843. Dating back well over 150 years, the first ‘phantom jump’ was reported.
Dock workers saw a caped man staring from the edge of the bridge before disappearing over the side into the waters below. Although help went in immediately, there was no one to be found, alive or dead.
Since this time, numerous witnesses have stated they have seen a figure leaping into the River Lagan, including a police officer.
Whenever the reports are investigated, there is no sign of anyone in distress. Many believe it is a restless spirit – a victim who tragically ended their life on the bridge, forever replaying their final moments.
Portobello Bridge, Dublin
Portobello Bridge in Dublin is renowned for strange paranormal encounters. Spectral apparitions and eerie lights floating above the canal have been reported at night.
One of the main sightings is that of an old lock keeper, who drowned himself after being sacked for being drunk on the job. Embittered, he remains at the site, trying to force unsuspecting passers by into the river.
It is believed he is the cause of a horse drawn bus crashing into the darkness below in 1861. The evil lock keeper spooked the horses and the horses, carriage and screaming passengers plunged into the icy waters.
It is believed the sightings are tied to these tragic drownings, while many have reported feeling a heavy presence while walking across the bridge, as if unseen eyes are watching them..
Old Barna Bridge, Barna, County Limerick
The Spirit of Barna Bridge, Sprid Na Barna, still haunts this rural area in West Limerick. In the late 19th century, Moll O’Shaughnessy, once a devoted wife and mother, murdered her husband and child in a fit of rage.
Justice was swift — she was sealed in a nail-lined barrel and rolled from the highest hill to her death. But death was not the end. Her vengeful spirit returned, terrifying locals, until one fateful night, she leaped onto the horse of a weary traveller and sent him plummeting over the bridge to his death. A priest from nearby Athea was called to banish her, but he seems to have failed.
Moll’s presence lingers. Her face, twisted and eternal, is said to be trapped in the stone of Barna Bridge, a warning to all who pass. Some claim to see her watching, waiting, ready to strike again. Will you dare to look?
Blackwater Bridge, Kenmare, County Kerry
For over two centuries, residents and visitors near Blackwater Bridge in Kenmare have reported sightings of headless apparitions. None, however, have been as terrifying as the experience of one local man who set out to deliver a package and had to cross the bridge.
As he began his crossing, an unseen force attacked him, leaving him paralysed with fear and unable to fight back. Preparing for the worst, he prayed, expecting his fate to be sealed. But then incredulously, he caught sight of a towering, headless figure racing across the bridge before scaling the nearby stones.
In an instant, the entity that had assaulted him abandoned its attack to give chase to the headless figure. Both figures vanished into the night and the man was spared. To this day witnesses say they have seen a headless apparition on the bridge.
Owencarrow Viaduct, Donegal
The Owencarrow Viaduct had a reputation for being unsafe in poor weather and on 30 January 1925, a freak gust of wind caused one of the worst tragedies the area had seen.
The gust tore two of the carriages from the rails, flipping them over and shattering the roofs. Passengers were thrown violently into the valley below, as damaged masonry tumbled on top of them. The carriages dangled precariously as the injured waited for help. Four died in the carnage.
To this day, a woman dressed in 1920s clothing is seen walking the area. Could it be one of the unlucky travellers? Or a relieved one, as only one woman was uninjured in the tragedy, landing in soft earth. There is also a report of a ghostly rail worker near the viaduct, telling a local lady out on a walk, not to take the train that fateful day. Terrified, she cancelled her ticket.
Ballysaggartmore Bridge, County Waterford
Hidden deep in the woodlands near Lismore, County Waterford, Ballysaggartmore Bridge stands as a haunting reminder of greed, cruelty, and misfortune.
Built in the 19th century as part of the elaborate Ballysaggartmore Towers, the bridge was meant to be the grand entrance to an estate that was never completed.
The landowner, Arthur Kiely-Ussher, was known for his harsh treatment of tenants, imposing high rents and forcing many into eviction.
While he poured his wealth into constructing the ornate gatehouse and bridge, his dreams of a lavish mansion crumbled due to financial troubles, leaving behind only these eerie remnants. Some believe that his vanity and cruelty cursed the land, and to this day, visitors report a deep sense of unease as they walk through the ruins.
Over the years, Ballysaggartmore Bridge has gained a reputation for ghostly encounters and unexplained phenomena. Many claim to hear disembodied whispers, while others report seeing shadowy figures lurking near the bridge at dusk.
Some locals believe that the spirits of the evicted tenants still wander the grounds, forever tied to the land they once called home.
Despite its chilling past, the site is now a popular walking trail, attracting those drawn to its gothic beauty and supernatural lore. Whether you visit for the history or the hauntings, Ballysaggartmore Bridge remains one of Ireland’s most atmospheric and mysterious landmarks.
Scarawalsh Bridge, Scaralwalsh, County Wexford
Scars of Scarawalsh – this bridge in County Wexford is a historic stone bridge with a dark past. Built in the 18th century over the River Slaney, it became infamous during the Irish Rebellion of 1798.
In the aftermath of the Battle of Vinegar Hill, retreating rebels were slaughtered by British forces at the bridge, their blood staining the river below. The site also witnessed executions, with rebels hanged from its arches as a warning to others. This grim history has left an eerie mark on the area, turning the bridge into a place of whispered legends and ghostly lore.
Locals have long reported unsettling experiences near Scarawalsh Bridge, especially after nightfall. Stories tell of shadowy figures seen walking along the bridge before vanishing into thin air, and strange, disembodied cries carried on the wind.
Some believe the spirits of the fallen rebels still linger, unable to find peace after their violent deaths. Others claim to hear the sound of marching footsteps, as if echoing the doomed soldiers of 1798. Whether mere superstition or something more, Scarawalsh Bridge remains a chilling reminder of Wexford’s turbulent past.
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Antrim
Though not a traditional bridge, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge in Antrim is one of Ireland’s most famous crossings, and it has its own supernatural tale. Fishermen who used the bridge centuries ago spoke of spirits warning them of impending storms. Today, some visitors claim to hear whispering voices carried by the wind, even when the bridge is empty.
Of course, the fact the bridge swings in the merest breeze 100 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, means you may literally be scared to death without the ghosts!
Ireland’s bridges are more than just stone, rope, wood and steel — they carry the weight of history, tragedy, and the spirits of the past.
Have you ever had a ghostly encounter on one of Ireland’s haunted bridges? Share your experiences in the comments below!
