Former Roe Valley Hospital

I am headed to Northern Ireland end of October with a group of people interested in touring Haunted sites in Ireland.  We would love to check out the former Roe Valley Hospital but have had no luck in connecting with anyone that would be of assistance.  Does anyone have information on touring this haunted site?

Hello Connie,

Many thanks for posting your question, we hope that you have an adventurous time with us!

The Roe Valley Hospital started its life as a workhouse, later becoming the district hospital in the 1930's. The site is still very active as a hospital so we can only suggest that you contact the hospital and see if you are able to visit the old section.

Hopefully, some of our members may be able to help with other suggestions.

Where else have you planned to see during your time with us?

Thank you for your reply
We are starting at Newgrange and then Belfast Titanic and city tour.  Planned to stop at Friars Bush Graveyard and Crumlin Road Gaol but they will not take our group. Just recently added Clifton House and Cemetery.  Then on to Giants Causeway, Slieve League, Seafield House, tour of Galway, Clifden Castle and Kilbeggan Distillery.  If I am unable to secure Roe Valley Hospital, do you have any suggestions of a Spirited City in the Roe Valley area we should check out?

Hi Connie,

You have a great plan by the looks of it.

In County Derry~Londonderry, there are a number of other locations that are reported to be haunted. Some examples are The White Horse Hotel, Wellington Street, Springhill House, and Boom Hall. 

Spookiest regards,
Eoin

Thank you Eoin,  I will certainly look into these

Hi Connie

The majority of the places that you mention in your travel plan are in counties Tyrone, Derry and Donegal.
Are planning on visiting Derry over Halloween (Samhain) ?    You and your group definitely should the city organises the largest Halloween Festival in the world.

Check out foyletrails.com and my Folkways and Ritual landscapes tour/series of experiences or my Halloween Origins Experience. Both tours/experiences explore the landscapes, archaeological sites and ritual habitats in the countryside surrounding Derry. Our countryside is very significant because Halloween evolved in our Bronze Age and Celtic landscapes long, long before town or cities developed in Ireland.

I hope to hear from you
Regards
Martin

Hi Connie,

It's good to hear about your trip to Ireland! 

I had the opportunity to visit the Limavady Workhouse a few years ago and found the experience very interesting and quite moving.  Our guide gave us a fascinating insight and some pretty horrifying accounts about what life in the workhouse was like for those unfortunate enough to have to stay there.  The place has a particular atmosphere about it especially when you think about the destitute people who passed through its doors. There is information about famine times in the Limavady region and also a pauper's graveyard to visit.  One of the dormitories that housed women has been restored to what it was like when the building was used as a workhouse.  

For more information please visit this web site: https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/limavady-workhouse-p700461 

To book a tour of the workhouse: https://www.communityni.org/organisation/limavady-community-development-initiative-lcdi 

When you are in the Causeway Coast and Glens you might want to visit Dunluce Castle, located along the coast from Portrush. It looks spectacular and has quite a checkered history along with legends of a ghostly figure.  Also the Dark Hedges near Armoy would be fun to visit at twilight!

Enjoy your trip!
Anne

Hello Connie,

Loving this spooky-themed tour you're planning on undertaking!

Looking at your itinerary, there are a couple of other spots along the way that are reputed to be haunted, such as the Ballygally Castle in County Antrim, or the ruins of Northburg Castle (also known as Greencastle) in County Donegal.

Keep us updated on any other haunted finds you come across!

Best regards,

Alex

Hi Connie,

October seems so long ago now but I thought I would just ask how your trip over to see us went and if you managed to visit the old Roe Valley Hospital.

Anne from the Causeway Coast and Glens Information Centre had some wonderful links, hopefully, these worked out for you.

Martin