Nestled in the picturesque and historically rich town of Lismore, County Waterford, the Lismore Heritage Centre may now serve as a hub for tourism, education, and community events, but its foundations are rooted in something much darker. This striking 19th-century building once operated as the town’s courthouse and jail. Its courtroom, judge’s chambers and holding cells are still very much intact, although repurposed. If the walls could talk, they’d surely echo with the cries of the accused, the stern pronouncements of justice, and perhaps even the last whispers of the condemned before they were taken to Gallows Hill.
Lismore itself is no stranger to turmoil and legacy. Established as a monastic site in the 7th century by Saint Carthage, the area later became a prized location during Viking invasions and fell under Norman, then British rule. Its past is layered with conquest, rebellion, and power struggles, with much of that weight seemingly to have settled within the walls of the Heritage Centre. This is a place where lives were changed, some ended and where the energy of those moments appears to remain.
Our team on the night (Ann, Dominic, Katie, and Mike), was the first paranormal group ever granted access to conduct an investigation inside the building. From the moment we walked through its doors, it was clear we weren’t alone. Reports from staff had long hinted at strange goings-on, from items being thrown and apparitions to disembodied voices and the persistent feeling of being watched. With renovations ongoing, which are known to stir up spiritual activity, it was the perfect time to make contact.
Prior to beginning the investigation, Ann conducted a sweep of the exterior, paying particular attention to the road and windows. We wanted to eliminate the possibility of external light or movement interfering with our equipment. Due to the gradient of the road and the building’s layout, only one room was vulnerable to reflection or interference, which was a promising start.
We began our night in the gift shop, which once housed the building’s holding cells. This space was especially active. Motion activated light balls and EMF devices began triggering without any visible cause. Ann’s phone recorder, sitting perfectly flat on the table, repeatedly paused itself during moments of high EMF activity, almost as if something…or someone…was interfering intentionally. There was an undeniably mischievous energy present, particularly fond of the women in the group. It felt as though the spirit or spirits wanted us to stay, maybe to talk, maybe to read. It was playful, cheeky, and engaging. The books that had reportedly flown from shelves in the past now seemed to serve as bait, an invitation to connect.
On the first floor, we were looking to encounter one of the most consistently reported apparitions—a female figure seen walking down the staircase. Staff had often expressed unease in this area, especially when alone. Earlier, a local tradesman had been laying lino in the hallway when he abruptly abandoned the job, leaving tools scattered. Known to be level-headed and not easily spooked, he told staff he felt someone looming directly over him, watching intently and he fled in fear.
During our time on this floor, Mike and Dominic were discussing a box in the room when Mike casually said “yeah.” Almost instantly, the word was mimicked, as clear as day by a disembodied male voice right behind Dominic’s head. The moment was captured on EVP. Not long after, we heard solid, deliberate footsteps coming from above. Ann went upstairs to walk across the auditorium in an attempt to recreate the sound, matching footwear, speed and stride, but she couldn’t duplicate it. On her return, she clearly heard two men having a conversation in the corridor, yet no one was there.
Downstairs, the three Heritage team members who had joined us (Sheena, Doireann, and Vanessa) were in the kitchen when they heard a distinctive door open and close on its own. Meanwhile, Ann positioned herself in view of the team outside the room where the staircase figure had been seen, hoping to capture further visual evidence. That footage is still under review.
The auditorium, formerly the main courtroom, was our next key area. It didn’t disappoint. We formed a circle and opened a spirit box session. As the session began, the temperature in the room dropped significantly – up to 10 degrees below base readings during moments of clear interaction. Mike began to feel a tightness in his chest and a general feeling of being unwell, prompting him to take a break and step outside. There was an undeniable heaviness in the room.
When asked if any spirit present recognised someone, the response was clear – Vanessa. The divining rods also confirmed this, swinging deliberately toward her and the other two women. Vanessa has a deep-rooted connection to the building, having performed there as part of a local drama and dance group since the age of five. When Dominic introduced himself and asked for the spirit’s name, we heard what sounded like “Dom” or “Tom” through the spirit box. He then asked if the Judge was present and how they felt about him sitting in the chair of authority. The spirit responded again. When asked where we should go next, the divining rods pointed unambiguously to the Judge’s Room.
Before leaving, we addressed the curtain at the side of the auditorium, an area where a young girl had previously been seen. The rods pointed directly behind the curtain again, and Vanessa followed the call. As she approached, we received additional EMF responses and experienced another noticeable drop in temperature. There were no windows or drafts to account for the change. Vanessa reported a sudden pain in her jaw and a sensation like a lump in her throat. When asked if the girl had been hurt in this way, there was no reply. But when we asked if she was hugging Vanessa, the response was a clear and affectionate yes. We suspect this spirit may have formed a long-term attachment to Vanessa over the years of performances, one we will certainly explore further.
In the Judge’s Room, we were met with high levels of activity. EMFs, the spirit box, and motion light balls responded consistently to questions. From the nature of the responses, it seemed we may have been communicating with a prison guard or someone else in authority connected to the courthouse. Ann worked with the divining rods in this room, and once again they pointed directly at Vanessa when asked who the spirit recognised, before swinging back toward the door as if urging us to leave.
We continued to experience bursts of energy throughout the building. REM pods went off in the corridor, on the stairs and across the landing. One area staff had previously described as sinister was the upper balcony overlooking the courtroom. While we had heard distinct footsteps in this area earlier in the night, by the time we sat there beside the sound desk, the atmosphere had become strangely placid, almost as if the energy had shifted to observe us, or withdrawn after making contact.
We were instinctively drawn back to the stage for our final session of the evening, almost as if summoned by the spirits themselves to return to the heart of the building where justice was once served… and perhaps still is.
By the end of the night, both Katie and Ann were absolutely drained from working the rods and managing the high levels of activity. We’d heard whispering, what sounded like two men in conversation, and even witnessed reactions to laughter and positive energy. We tried reaching out to any older entities, perhaps connected to Lismore’s early Viking and monastic roots, but it seems their time to speak has not yet come.
Despite more than five hours of intensive investigation, there were still rooms we didn’t get to explore. That’s how active the building was. We were the first team through the doors and we firmly believe the spirits within were eager to make a connection. This is a building that holds its secrets well, but it’s willing to whisper them to those who are ready.
We cannot wait to return to Lismore Heritage Centre. Next time, we’ll bring more cameras and maybe even stay a little longer. Huge thanks to Sheena, Doireann, and Vanessa, whose open minds and steady nerves helped make this one of our most compelling nights yet.
When history refuses to stay silent, we’re here to listen.
IRISH PARANORMAL INVESTIGATIONS 