Loftus Hall: Ireland’s Most Haunted Mansion for Sale
A 22-bedroom mansion, known as Loftus Hall, is up for sale, reportedly being the country’s most haunted house. Dating back to 1350, this Georgian mansion is situated on the Hook Peninsula in and is famous for its ghostly presence, having been exorcised in the past.
One of the most intriguing legends attached to Loftus Hall is the claim that the devil visited in disguise for a card game with Lady Anne Tottenham. When Lady Anne spotted his cloven hoof, he shot through the roof in a puff of smoke. Consequently, Lady Anne never recovered from the fright, and shortly after her death, the house began to be haunted.
Since then, there have been numerous sightings of Lady Anne, along with claims of poltergeist disturbances. Interestingly, Loftus Hall served as the inspiration for Fowl Manor, one of the primary settings of the popular franchise, Artemis Fowl, which became a Disney+ original film in June. This connection is primarily due to author Eoin Colfer having worked at the mansion during his youth.
The first structure on this site was built in 1170 by the Norman knight, Raymond Lee Gros, who later adopted an Irish identity by changing his surname to Redmond. The Redmond family replaced the earlier castle with what became known as Redmond Hall in 1350. Subsequently, it was renamed Loftus Hall after being granted to the Loftus family during the Cromwellian conquest. The current building underwent significant renovations between 1872 and 1879 by the fourth Marquess of Ely, John Wellington Graham Loftus.
In anticipation of a visit from Queen Victoria, which never materialized, the Marquess used the existing structure to add grand elements such as a spectacular staircase, mosaic tiled floors, and parquet flooring. Over the years, Loftus Hall has had varied owners, including two orders of nuns. Currently, many visitors participate in haunted tours of the expansive 27,124 square foot house or attend monthly ‘paranormal lockdown’ evening tours. However, the present owners, Aidan and Shane Quigley, have recently listed the house, along with 63 acres of scenic land and a private beach, for €2.5 million ($2.89 million). Additional details about Loftus Hall can be accessed through its official website here.
