Sharon Rectory in Manorcunningham, Co Donegal, is known as one of Ireland’s most haunted houses. Its chilling story was brought into the spotlight in a compelling TV series aired in 2021.
The rectory was featured in the first episode of the BBC’s Ulster-Scots program *Afeared*, where historian David Hume and writer Darren Gibson investigate some of Ulster’s most haunted dwellings. Using original newspaper archives and witness testimonies from current residents, Hume and Gibson sought to unravel the terrifying mysteries surrounding this 18th-century house.
Built in 1775 as a Church of Ireland rectory, Sharon Rectory became the site of a gruesome double-murder in 1797. Reverend William Hamilton and his wife, Sara Waller, were ruthlessly killed by the United Irishmen on the eve of the 1798 Rebellion. Since then, the ancient mansion has gained a reputation for being haunted by lost souls and a malevolent spirit that gives the house a distinctly demonic presence.
Following years of disuse, Sharon Rectory fell into disrepair. However, it was bought in the 1990s by Vincent and Lisa Tully, who renovated the dilapidated property. The couple moved in with their two daughters, Emma Louise and Victoria, and almost immediately began reporting sightings of a mysterious “blue lady.”
Emma Louise, who still lives on the property, claims she has been “bitten, scratched, and terrorized by demonic ghosts.” She has published a book titled *The Haunting of Sharon Rectory*, which details her terrifying experiences in the house. Additionally, Emma Louise runs a Facebook page to provide regular updates about the haunted mansion.
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*Originally published in February 2021. Updated in October 2025.*
https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/sharon-rectory-ireland-haunted
