31 Haunted Hotspots and Urban Legends for the Brave Traveler

20. Leap Castle – Ireland

Ireland’s Leap Castle is often called the "most haunted castle in the world," and for good reason. Built in the 13th century, its bloody history includes family betrayals, executions, and gruesome murders. The most notorious ghost is the "Elemental"—a sinister, shadowy entity with glowing red eyes and an overpowering stench of decay. Visitors have also seen the spirits of prisoners thrown into the castle’s infamous "oubliette," a pit where people were left to die. Even seasoned ghost hunters approach Leap Castle with caution.