Have you visited Ballybrittas, and did you have an experience you could not explain? Click “Add Your Experience” and share your story.
In the small Laois village of Ballybrittas, a curious tale has emerged. In the early hours of 17 April 2022, two friends were walking home from the bus stop when they noticed an old-style lamp swaying toward them on the opposite side of the road.
There was no one carrying it.
The glow moved with purpose until it reached a hedgerow where, many years ago, a public house once stood. There it stopped. Then, in an instant, the light winked out, leaving the witnesses staring into the dark.
Local whispers suggest the apparition may be tied to John George “Black Jack” Adair (1823–1885). Born in County Laois, Adair built a fortune after the Great Famine by snapping up bankrupt estates. His ruthless dealings – and later, the infamous Derryveagh evictions in Donegal – made him one of the most hated landlords of his age. He was buried at Rathdaire Church, Ballybrittas, just a short walk from where the phantom lamp was seen.
Stories in the area claim that Adair’s restless spirit still travels by night, his path marked by the glow of a lamp. Whether the witnesses encountered Black Jack Adair himself, or some other fragment of memory, the truth is unclear.
If any users have shared their own paranormal experiences of Ballybrittas, these will be shared here. To add your own, click “Add Your Experience” below.
All experiences are, of course, open to interpretation. While entries are reviewed before publication to ensure they are relevant to the focus of this website, specific details cannot always be verified. I reserve the right to decline submissions or to redact sensitive information where necessary.
Sometimes, reports of alleged hauntings are too vague to include without question. A site user – or another source – may have referenced paranormal activity at this location, but so far I’ve been unable to verify it. If you have additional information, you can suggest an amendment here.
Visitors should confirm opening hours and access before travelling to Ballybrittas or any location listed on this site. Information was last updated on June 1, 2026 – if anything has changed, you can suggest an amendment here.
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