Sharon Rectory in Manorcunningham, Co Donegal, is renowned as one of Ireland’s most haunted houses. In 2021, it was the focus of a compelling TV series that explored its chilling history and paranormal activity.
The story of Sharon Rectory featured in the first episode of the BBC’s Ulster-Scots program, *Afeared*. Historian David Hume and writer Darren Gibson investigated some of Ulster’s most haunted dwellings, using original newspaper archives and witness testimonies from current residents. Their goal was to unravel the terrifying mysteries surrounding the 18th-century house.
Built in 1775 as a Church of Ireland rectory, Sharon Rectory was 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, giving the house a distinctly demonic presence.
After years of disuse, Sharon Rectory fell into disrepair until the 1990s, when Vincent and Lisa Tully purchased the property. The couple renovated the dilapidated mansion and moved in with their two daughters, Emma Louise and Victoria. Almost immediately, they began reporting paranormal activity, including sightings of a “blue lady.”
Emma Louise, who still lives in the house, has shared her personal experiences of being “bitten, scratched, and terrorized by demonic ghosts.” She has documented these terrifying encounters in her book, *The Haunting of Sharon Rectory*, and maintains a Facebook page that provides 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
