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Up until a couple of years back, a visit to Loftus Hall was one of the more unique things to do in Wexford.
Then it was put up for sale in 2020 and eventually sold in 2021. So, unfortunately, the tours of the most haunted house in Ireland are no longer running.
However, you can still have a nosey at the building from afar while you do the Ring of Hook Drive and the Loftus Hall ghost stories make the place that bit more interesting.
Below, you’ll find info on everything from its history and the various shows that were filmed there to how its set to become a luxury hotel destination.
Some quick need-to-knows about Loftus Hall
4. TV shows and movies
6. Set to be a luxury hotel
The Loftus Hall ghost story
The arrival of a stranger
The ghost of Loftus Hall
Is the haunted house in Wexford really haunted
Places to visit a short drive from Loftus Hall
1. Hook Lighthouse (10-minute drive)
2. Beaches galore (15-minute drive)
3. Duncannon Fort (20-minute drive)
4. Tintern Abbey (20-minute drive)
FAQs about Loftus Hall
Is Loftus Hall closing down?
What is the story of Loftus Hall?
Some quick need-to-knows about Loftus Hall
Photo via Loftus Hall on FB
Although a visit to Loftus House is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
You’ll find Loftus Hall on west of the wild Hook Peninsula. It’s a 15-minute drive from Fethard-On-Sea, a 35-minute drive from New Ross and a 1-hour drive from Waterford City.
2. The ghost photos
There have been several photos of ghosts taken here over the years. One of the most notable was taken by an English visitor called Thomas Beavis which appears to show the ghost of a woman stood in a doorway.
3. A haunted mansion
The Loftus Hall ghost story has been doing the rounds for many years and it sounds very similar to the story behind the Hellfire Club in Dublin. It involves a weary traveller, a game of cards and the Devil. More below!
4. TV shows and movies
Loftus Hall featured in an episode of Ghost Adventures – a US paranormal TV series. The imposing building was also used as inspiration for ‘Fowl Manor’ in the popular Artemis Fowl series.
Like many attractions in Ireland, Loftus Hall closed to visitors in 2020. However, it never reopened and it was put up for sale by its owners who purchased it originally in 2011.
6. Set to be a luxury hotel
Loftus Hall was put up for sale in 2020. The owners confirmed that it had sold in 2021. It’s now set to become a luxury destination hotel and should bring some much needed tourism to the area.
The Loftus Hall ghost story
Photo via Loftus Hall on FB
You’ll find the towering structure known as Loftus Hall on the wild and windy Hook Peninsula in County Wexford.
It’s a large, old mansion house that was built in the mid-1300’s during the time of the black death, by the Redmond family.
Once upon a time…
According to legend, the mansion is haunted by both the devil and by the ghost of a young woman. The building passed through many different hands over the years, but the curious tale begins while it was occupied by The Tottenham family in 1766.
Lord Tottenham married a woman called Anne Loftus, and the couple had two children; Elizabeth and Anne. While their children were still quite young, Anne Loftus Senior became ill and died.
The arrival of a stranger
During this time, many ships landed on the shores of the Hook peninsula, and it was customary for those on the ships to take shelter from storms at the great Hall. It was in the midst one such storm that a ship pulled into Slade Harbour and a stranger from the ship made his way to Loftus Hall, where he allowed to stay.
On this occasion, the storm thundered on for days, if not weeks, which meant that the stranger continued to stay on at the house. Lady Anne Tottenham, now a young woman, became close to the visitor during the storm, and they spent many hours chatting together in The Tapestry Room.
Cards in the storm
During the evenings, the mansion’s various inhabitants used to sit around and play cards. One evening, as a game was in full swing, Lady Anne dropped a card. As she leaned down to pick it up, her eyes fell upon a cloven hoof, and she began to scream.
The stranger from the ship whom she had become close to was exposed as The Devil. He immediately disappeared through the roof in a large ball of fire, leaving those present shocked and terrified, and Lady Anne in a traumatised state, from which she would never recover.
The ghost of Loftus Hall
According to legend, the family grew embarrassed by her state, and decided to lock her away in the same room where she had spent so much time with the stranger.
She remained in that room until she passed away in 1775, and it is from then that her ghost is said to have begun to haunt the house.
Is the haunted house in Wexford really haunted
The truth is, who knows?! Over the years there has certainly been reportings of ghosts at Loftus Hall (hit play on the video above). There have even been photos of ghosts taken here over the years.
One of the most notable was taken by an English visitor called Thomas Beavis which appears to show the ghost of a woman stood in a doorway.
However, whether it really is haunted or not is a different story. It’s set to become one of the more unique hotels in Wexford in the coming years, so maybe the Tripadvisor reviews from guests staying at the hotel will reveal more.
Places to visit a short drive from Loftus Hall
One of the beauties of Loftus Hall is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best places to visit in Wexford.
Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from the haunted house in Wexford.
1. Hook Lighthouse (10-minute drive)
Hook Lighthouse is the oldest operational lighthouse in the world. You can admire it from the outside or you can head off on the tour (the reviews online are excellent).
2. Beaches galore (15-minute drive)
Photos with thanks to @skogswex
You’ll find some of the best beaches in Wexford a short spin from Loftus Hall. Both Dollar Bay and Booley Bay are less than a 10-minute drive. Duncannon Beach (15-minute drive) and Baginbun Beach (10-minute drive).
3. Duncannon Fort (20-minute drive)
Another spot that’s well worth a visit is Duncannon Fort, which was built around 1587. Now, it’s only open for tours in July and August, but it’s worth a visit anyway, as you can still admire it from the outside.
4. Tintern Abbey (20-minute drive)
Tintern Abbey is another brilliant nearby attraction. You can take a tour of the inside of the abbey or you can head off on the Tintern Trails, which are some of our favourite walks in Wexford.
FAQs about Loftus Hall
We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Are the Loftus Hall ghost photos real?’ to ‘Are the tours still on?’.
In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.
Is Loftus Hall closing down?
Loftus Hall was sold in 2021 and is unfortunately no longer offering ghost tours. It’s set to become a luxury destination hotel over the coming years.
What is the story of Loftus Hall?
Legend tells of a stranger arriving to the mansion during a storm. The story goes that he was revealed to be the Devil. See our full account in the guide above.
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Monday 16th of March 2020
I would love to stay at Loftus Hall! My late grandmother is from Ireland. Her name? Annie Loftus!
Sunday 8th of March 2020
Oh Wow! Another ghost story from Ireland. And it scared the shit out of me!
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