The Abbey of the Black Hag, located in the Municipal District of Adare-Rathkeale, is a ruined medieval monastery with a dark history dating back to the 13th century. Originally founded as a Franciscan friary, the abbey gained its sinister moniker due to tales of a malevolent witch who once resided there. Local lore speaks of her curse upon the monastery, leading to its eventual abandonment and decay.

Visitors to the abbey have reported unsettling experiences over the years. Many claim to have seen the spectral figure of a woman in black robes gliding through the crumbling stone corridors, believed to be the spirit of the infamous Black Hag herself. Others describe hearing disembodied chanting echoing from the ruins, particularly on moonlit nights.

One of the most frequently documented paranormal occurrences at the abbey involves the sudden appearance of mysterious lights floating among the ruins. Witnesses describe these orbs as varying in size and color, often darting erratically before vanishing into thin air.

Another persistent legend tells of a monk who was brutally murdered within the abbey walls. His restless spirit is said to roam the grounds, and some visitors have reported feeling an icy touch on their shoulders or hearing desperate whispers when exploring the site alone.

The abbey’s reputation for supernatural activity has drawn paranormal enthusiasts from across Ireland and beyond. Many have attempted to capture evidence of the reported hauntings, with some claiming to have recorded unexplained voices and captured shadowy figures in photographs taken at the site.