Ireland’s ‘most haunted house’ has been sold to a Meath investor for a jaw-dropping €3million.
Loftus Hall in Co Wexford sits on 68 acres of land, overlooking Hook Peninsula and Hook Lighthouse.
The property has been acquired by Patrick McDermott, an accountant with a background in beef farming.
McDermott has been involved in the acquisition of many mixed-use and commercial properties across Dublin over the past 13 years.
Loftus Hall is a three-story house with over 2000 square metres of space.
It was originally built around 1870 on the site of Redmond Hall, which dates back to 1350.
The estate even has its own private beach.
Loftus Hall in Co Wexford. (Colliers)
According to The Irish Times, McDermott plans to complete the restoration of the property, which was started by its previous owners.
He aims to transform it into a luxurious 22-bedroom hotel, featuring various dining rooms and guest lounges.
The property was sold by Paddy McKillen Jr, who purchased it for €1.75million three years ago.
It has hosted a number of film crews over the years who have been attracted by its eerie setting and ghost stories.
Loftus Hall in Co Wexford. (Colliers)
The house’s history dates all the way back to when the Normans landed in 1170, when a castle was built in the area.
In 1666, it was passed from the Redmond family to the Loftus family and they remained as the owners until the early 20th century.
The hall’s haunted reputation dates back to 1766, when it was said to be visited by the devil.
Lord Tottenham married Anne Loftus and lived in the house with their daughter who was also named Anne.
The ghostly story has been passed around for decades but the general idea follows the classic setting of a stranger visiting on a dark and stormy night.
He and young Anne played cards together for hours in the Tapestry Room of the huge house.
During a game, Anne is said to have dropped one of her cards on the floor, but was greeted with the fright of her life when she bent down to pick it up.
The young girl saw the visitor’s cloven hooves and screamed, prompting him to disappear through the ceiling in a cloud of smoke.
Anne is said to have never recovered, with rumours beginning to circulate locally that the house was haunted after she died.
Since then, Loftus Hall has maintained an eerie reputation.
*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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