Crumlin Road Gaol, located in Belfast, Northern Ireland, operated as a prison from 1845 to 1996. Designed by Charles Lanyon, the Victorian-era jail housed both male and female prisoners, including murderers, suffragettes, and political prisoners during the Troubles. The facility witnessed numerous executions, with 17 men hanged within its walls between 1854 and 1961.

The prison’s dark history has given rise to numerous ghost stories and paranormal accounts. Staff and visitors have reported unexplained phenomena throughout the building. In C-Wing, people claim to have seen the apparition of a man in Victorian-era prison uniform, believed to be a former inmate. The ghost of a young girl has been spotted in the area once used as the women’s wing, often accompanied by the sound of children’s laughter.

The execution chamber is a particular hotspot for paranormal activity. Witnesses describe feeling a oppressive atmosphere and sudden temperature drops. Some have reported seeing shadowy figures and hearing the sound of a trapdoor opening, reminiscent of the hangings that took place there.

In the tunnel connecting the jail to the courthouse across the street, visitors have experienced feelings of being watched or followed. Some claim to have seen the ghost of a prison guard patrolling the area.

The Circle, the central area of the prison, is said to be haunted by the spirit of a former prisoner who committed suicide. Staff have reported hearing footsteps and doors slamming when no one else is present.

These ghostly encounters have cemented Crumlin Road Gaol’s reputation as one of Northern Ireland’s most haunted locations.