The Ghostly Tales of Dublin’s Olympia Theatre

Behind the stage of the Olympia Theatre in Dublin, it is said that ghosts roam the dressing rooms and stages when the curtain is down. Staff have told us about everything from strange lights to full blown poltergeist activity and if we are to believe the reports, the hauntings are still going on.

Dublin, a city rich in history and culture, is home to the Olympia Theatre, a grand venue that has witnessed over 140 years of entertainment. While it has hosted countless spectacular performances, the theater also boasts a darker side, with chilling ghost stories and eerie encounters that linger long after the curtain falls. Join us on a journey through the haunted history of the Olympia Theatre in Temple Bar.

A Stage Steeped in History

Behind the stage of the Olympia Theatre in Dublin, it is said that ghosts roam the dressing rooms and stages when the curtain is down. Staff have told us about everything from strange lights to full blown poltergeist activity and if we are to believe the reports, the hauntings are still going on. — Wikimedia

Located on Dame Street, Dublin, the Olympia Theatre has been a cultural epicenter since its inception in 1879 when it opened as the Erin Music Hall. Over the years, this stage has welcomed an array of music, theater, and comedy performances, showcasing both local talents and international stars.

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Ireland

It also housed the first screening of a cinematic movie on April 20th in 1896 from the Lumiere brothers. This is said to have had a profound effect on James Joyce who saw it with his sister, and he has also written passages on music hall culture in his masterpiece, Ulysses.

Yet, it is the energy left behind by these remarkable shows that seems to attract some mysterious visitors, who choose to linger in the shadows.

Maureen Grant’s Mysterious Encounters

In 2021, the Olympia Theatre lost one of its beloved staff members, Maureen Grant that started working there in 1949, and remembers most of its history, like when the ceiling came crashing down in 1949 and the ghosts said to haunt the theater.

In 2015, Maureen shared her series of eerie encounters with the Irish Independent, unveiling a tapestry of strange incidents. She recalled malfunctioning light switches, the haunting sound of a crying baby, and a personal experience that sent shivers down her spine.

“I was standing in my bra and pants and as I turned on the tap the door opened. I said ‘Who is that?’ No answer so I closed the door, thought it was the breeze or something, and the next thing is the door goes bang, my smock came off the door and my tips went flying. I got really scared and fucked my coat on and ran into the café as I was with nothing under my coat.”
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The haunting just became worse and to address the escalating paranormal activity, the theater brought in a medium that went to search for the specter. Inside for three hours in the theater, the medium identified the source of the baby’s cries and even gave the ghost a name—Charlie Parker. The theater’s bar became a hotspot for poltergeist activity, with glasses mysteriously flying off shelves and coins leaping from tills.

John Brogan’s Ghostly Encounter

Maureen was not the only staff member that something was going on in the theater though. Former stage manager John Brogan worked for 33 years at the Olympia Theatre and had his own paranormal experience early in his tenure.

On a quiet Sunday afternoon, he watched in astonishment as a ghostly blue light floated out of one of the dressing rooms, gliding up the corridor, passing him, and disappearing around a corner. He never found out exactly what it was, but it made him believe the other stories that people told.

Additionally, the friendly apparition of a pallbearer began making appearances in the theater’s center aisle, a ghostly presence that the staff grew accustomed to and no one seems to mind, like it was an everyday occurrence to work alongside with ghosts.

Magical Chills with Joe Daly

You would think magicians would be almost comfortable with sharing a dressing room with ghosts, but even they can be a little skeptical of the paranormal. In 2008, magician Joe Daly was gearing up for his captivating show, ‘Magick Macabre,’ at the Olympia Theatre. Little did he know that he would experience something otherworldly in his dressing room. Joe described the eerie encounter to the Irish Independent, recounting an overwhelming feeling of unease and a palpable presence in the room.

Unbeknownst to him, this dressing room had a spooky reputation, something both John Brogan and Maureen probably could confirm. Joe opted to share his dressing room with fellow cast members, and didn’t want to stay alone there.

The Haunted Olympia Theatre

The Olympia Theatre in Dublin, a place that has illuminated the city with countless performances, is also steeped in spine-tingling ghost stories and paranormal encounters.

This historic venue holds more than just memories—it harbors the supernatural. These ghostly tales continue to add a layer of mystery to the theater’s rich history, reminding us that sometimes, the spotlight isn’t the only thing that lingers on the stage.