Kilkenny named one of the spookiest places in Europe

Kilkenny has been names as one of the spookiest places in Europe by a leading American travel magazine.

Travel + Leisure put together a list of Europe’s five most haunted places ahead of this year’s Halloween celebrations.

Kilkenny made it onto the list alongside Poveglia Island in Italy, Château de Brissac in France, the Tower of London and the medieval Norwegian castle, Akershus Festning.

Kilkenny is where the first ever witch trial and witch burning took place and has always had a paranormal reputation. Visitors can take part in walking ghost tours along the city’s cobbled streets.

There are several spooky locations in the city including the remnants of the medieval city walls, Shankill Castle, Black Abbey, Kyleter’s Inn, and the graveyard of St Mary’s church.

Travel + Leisure wrote: “If you’re on the hunt for some ghostly figures, you’ll want to explore Kilkenny, Ireland.

“This Irish city has a storied past, filled with tragic events that allegedly left behind spirits that visitors still witness today. Kilkenny, located about 80 miles from Dublin, was the site of Ireland’s first witch trial.

“Another tragedy struck in 1763, when 16 people drowned in the river after a bridge collapsed during a flood. Today, people report seeing creepy figures in the River Nore that rise above the mist in the early morning.”

Kilkenny Ghost Tours said: “It should be no surprise that Kilkenny is bursting with tales of the paranormal. Its people have told stories for generations, handed down to become far more than hearsay.

“Kilkenny’s ghostly tales all have one very important thing in common they are all based around fact and arise from genuine historic tragedies.”

For more information visit Travel + Leisure.

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Written by Michael Kehoe @michaelcalling