GHOST hunters are toasting a spooktacular discovery after “a spirit” appeared at an Irish castle.
And a snap taken by a punter at Kinnitty Castle in Co Offaly shows what phantom experts believe is Hugh the Monk.
A five-strong team at Paranormal Supernatural Investigations Ireland were hosting a ghoul-hunting expedition for 15 members of the public in the banquet hall at the time.
And top paranormal prober Richard Morrison believes the snap is evidence of the ghostly presence of Hugh the Monk.
Richard, co-founder of the Galway-based PSII team, told The Irish Sun: “The picture clearly shows a manifestation of a spirit.
Kylie Jenner goes braless in mesh catsuit for new snaps on New Year's Eve
“It was taken by one of the members of the public who joined us on the night. The picture was shown to us and all the other members of the public when it was taken.
“We believe this could be the image of Hugh the Monk who has been well known to haunt Kinnitty Castle.
“It is a very exciting development.”
The PSII squad carry out investigations of supernatural activity at buildings and locations across the country.
Richard admits the group’s work is often mocked by sceptics who try to offer up alternative explanations.
But amid a “transparency” drive, PSII has recently invited members of the public along to their tours.
Richard told us: “It's about opening up to the public about what we do.
“We normally don’t even hold public investigators, we tend to do our own thing.
“But from our online pages, we like to interact with the public and let the public have the opportunity to come out with us to do investigators once in a while.
“It is just to show them what we are doing, to show them the evidence of what we are doing. They can see what we are doing.”
Stacey Solomon says her life a 'mess' as she makes New Year's resolution
The PSII supremo revealed members of the public were left dumbfounded by the ghostly discovery at Kinnitty Castle last month.
Richard told us: “The best thing is that it was a member of the public who captured the image with our equipment.
“We lead them to an area where we believe there is high electromagnetic energy.
“We tell them to take pictures. We believe in spirit photography better than doing Electronic Voice Phenomenon.
“We would rather have visual evidence than going through audiology.
“The photograph was taken by a member of the public. It is great our followers can come with us to see what we do, to join in.
“The tour consisted of 15 members of the public and five of us.”
PUBLIC CONVINCED
He added: “We have been doing this as a group for years. But now this is happening in front of the public.
“You can’t make that up, it is happening right in front of members of the public.
“That’s what we love about it. The members of the public can see first-hand. It is not made up, it is real.”
The spectre hunters are now lining up more paranormal investigations at spook-filled Kinnitty Castle.
Richard said: “We love investigating at Kinnitty Castle. It has been known to be haunted in regards to the Geraldine room. But we believe the banquet hall is where the activity is.
“The history of the banquet hall got our attention as the graves of monks are interred there.
“From carrying out research, we believe this could be the image of Hugh the Monk, who has been well known to haunt Kinnitty Castle.”
Another public investigation is planned for March 19.
Richard added: “It is a fantastic opportunity for members of the public to explore and investigate one of Ireland’s most haunted locations.
“They will be booked into Kinnitty Castle and we will be carrying out an investigation and they will be involved and see us first-hand in what we do.
“Who knows what we might encounter during our investigation?”
