**Sharon Rectory: One of Ireland’s Most Haunted Houses**
Sharon Rectory in Manorcunningham, Co Donegal, is renowned as one of Ireland’s most haunted houses. Its chilling story was featured in the first episode of the BBC’s Ulster-Scots program *Afeared* in 2021. In this series, 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 to unravel the terrifying mysteries surrounding these sites.
Built in 1775 as a Church of Ireland rectory, Sharon Rectory gained notoriety following a gruesome double murder in 1797. The 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 been said to be haunted by lost souls and a malevolent spirit that gives the house a distinctly demonic presence.
After years of disuse, Sharon Rectory fell into disrepair until it was purchased in the 1990s by Vincent and Lisa Tully. The couple renovated the dilapidated property and moved in with their two daughters, Emma Louise and Victoria. Almost immediately, they began reporting sightings of a mysterious “blue lady.” Emma Louise, who still resides at Sharon Rectory, claims she has been “bitten, scratched, and terrorized by demonic ghosts” throughout her life.
Emma Louise has shared her experiences in a book titled *The Haunting of Sharon Rectory*, detailing the terrifying encounters she has faced within the house. She also manages a Facebook page where she provides regular updates about the haunted mansion.
*Originally published in February 2021. Updated in October 2025.*
https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/sharon-rectory-ireland-haunted
