The appearance of the ghosts themselves can be very frightening. They are often described as pale, with hollow eyes and a cold aura. In some stories, they can suddenly appear in front of you, or pass through you, sending a shiver down your spine. This physical manifestation of the otherworldly in 'old true irish ghost stories' is what makes them so scary.
One interesting story could be about the banshee. In Irish folklore, the banshee is a female spirit whose wailing is said to foretell the death of a family member. It's often described as a pale figure with long flowing hair. Many people in Ireland claim to have heard her wail, especially in areas with old family estates.
Another element is the ghosts of warriors or ancient chieftains. These ghosts might be tied to the land, perhaps because of some unfulfilled vow or a great battle that took place there. Their stories often involve protecting the territory or seeking revenge. For example, they might haunt the place where they died in battle, and people might report seeing a spectral figure in old armor. It makes the stories rich in history and local lore.
One well - known true Irish ghost story is about the Banshee. In Irish folklore, the Banshee is a female spirit whose wailing is said to foretell the death of a family member. Many people claim to have heard her eerie cries in the Irish countryside, especially near old castles or family estates.
The malevolence of the spirits in some stories is terrifying. For example, in the Hellfire Club tales, the idea that they summoned evil spirits and those spirits are still around causing strange lights and coldness. These spirits are not friendly or just lost souls. They seem to have a purpose of causing fear and unease, and that sense of an active, malicious presence is what makes these Irish ghost stories truly frightening.
They also show the connection to the land. As mentioned in some stories, like the haunted Christmas tree, there is a link between the spirits and the land. Ireland has a deep - rooted connection to its land, and these stories are a way of expressing that. The ghosts are often associated with specific places, be it an old castle or a particular forest area. This reflects how the Irish people view their land as having a history and a spirit of its own.
They often involve magic. For example, in many stories there are magical creatures like fairies, banshees or selkies. These elements add a sense of wonder.