St. Patrick’s Day is usually all about green beer, parades, and festive celebrations—but if you’re looking to add a little terror to your holiday, why not dive into some Irish horror? From eerie folklore to modern nightmares, Ireland has produced some truly chilling films that deserve a spot on your watchlist. Whether you’re in the mood for supernatural scares, folk horror, or spine-tingling thrillers, these 13 Irish horror movies will bring the perfect dose of fear to your St. Patty’s Day festivities.
1. Caveat
Caveat (2020) is a slow-burn psychological horror that knows how to get under your skin. The story follows Isaac, a drifter dealing with memory loss, who accepts a strange but seemingly easy job—looking after his landlord’s troubled niece, Olga, in an old, isolated house. The catch? He has to wear a leather harness that keeps him confined to certain areas, supposedly for Olga’s safety. But as Isaac settles in, eerie things start happening. Olga acts bizarrely, a creepy toy drum bunny seems to have a mind of its own, and the house itself feels like it’s hiding something sinister. As the mystery unravels, Isaac realizes he’s been lured into something far more terrifying than he ever imagined. With its unsettling atmosphere, minimal dialogue, and a sense of dread that builds with every scene, Caveat is an unique choice to watch this holiday.
2. Oddity
Directed by the same person as Caveat, Oddity (2024) is a psychological horror film that creeps under your skin. The story follows a woman struggling with grief after her twin sister is brutally murdered. But her mourning quickly turns into something far more disturbing as she digs deeper into the mystery surrounding her sister’s death. She begins to sense a sinister presence lurking just beneath the surface—something that feels ancient, supernatural, and terrifyingly close. If you’re a fan of psychological horror with a folk-horror twist, Oddity is definitely worth a watch. Plus, the wooden doll is one of the creepiest I’ve ever seen before.
3. Nails
Nails (2017) is a tense and claustrophobic horror film that turns the fear of helplessness into a living nightmare. The story follows Dana, a woman left paralyzed and unable to speak after a horrific car accident. Confined to a hospital bed with only a speech-generating device to communicate, she soon becomes convinced that a dark presence is stalking her in the room. As she desperately tries to prove that something sinister is lurking in the hospital, those around her dismiss her fears as hallucinations caused by trauma. But as the malevolent force—known as Nails—grows more aggressive, Dana realizes she’s running out of time. With eerie hospital corridors, a terrifyingly inescapable setting, and a relentless antagonist, Nails delivers a chilling blend of horror that keeps you on edge until the very end.
4. The Canal
The Canal (2014) is a haunting supernatural thriller that combines psychological tension with chilling horror. The story centers on David, a film archivist who begins to unravel a terrifying mystery after discovering that his new home, situated next to a canal, has a dark and violent past. When his wife is murdered, David starts to believe that her death is connected to the eerie events surrounding the house. As he digs deeper into the building’s history, he becomes increasingly convinced that a malevolent force is haunting him, manifesting through disturbing visions and inexplicable occurrences.
5. The Cellar
The Cellar (2022) is a creepy supernatural horror film that knows how to build tension and keep you on edge. The story follows Keira, a mother who moves her family into an old, isolated house, only to realize something is seriously wrong with the place. When her daughter mysteriously vanishes after going down into the cellar, Keira becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth. The more she digs into the house’s dark history, the more she starts experiencing terrifying visions and encounters with an eerie, unseen force. If you’re into slow-burning supernatural horror with a creepy, haunted-house vibe, The Cellar is definitely worth a watch.
6. Boys From County Hell
Boys from County Hell (2020) is a fun and bloody horror-comedy that puts an Irish twist on the vampire genre. Set in a small, quiet town known for its local legend of Abhartach—a vampire said to have inspired Dracula—the film follows a group of road workers who accidentally disturb an ancient burial site. What starts as just another day on the job quickly turns into a fight for survival when they unknowingly awaken a terrifying and bloodthirsty creature. As the body count rises, the group must band together to stop the unstoppable before the entire town is wiped out. Blending gory thrills with dark humor and Irish folklore, Boys from County Hell is a fresh, action-packed take on vampire horror that doesn’t hold back on scares or laughs.
7. From the Dark
From the Dark (2014) is an intense, stripped-down survival horror film that thrives on atmosphere and suspense. The story follows a young couple, Sarah and Mark, who get stranded in the Irish countryside after their car breaks down. As night falls, they stumble upon a remote farmhouse—only to realize they’re being hunted by a terrifying creature that lurks in the darkness. With no way to escape and only a dim light to keep the monster at bay, Sarah must fight to survive the night. What makes From the Dark so effective is its simplicity—it relies on tension, eerie shadows, and a relentless sense of dread rather than over-the-top effects. If you love creature features, this one is definitely worth a watch.
8. The Hole in the Ground
The Hole in the Ground (2019) is a creepy, slow-burn horror film that taps into every parent’s worst fear. The story follows Sarah, a single mother who moves to a remote house in the Irish countryside with her young son, Chris. One night, Chris disappears into the woods near a massive sinkhole, only to return acting… different. He looks the same, but something about him feels off—his behavior is unsettling, and Sarah starts to suspect that whatever came back might not be her son at all. As her paranoia grows, so does the eerie atmosphere, building up to a terrifying realization. The Hole in the Ground is a must-watch for fans of folk horror and another great choice for a St. Patty’s day movie night.
9. Grabbers
Grabbers (2012) is a hilarious horror-comedy that mixes alien monsters with classic Irish pub culture. The story takes place on a small Irish island where a group of locals, including a no-nonsense police officer and her charmingly lazy partner, discover that bloodsucking sea creatures have invaded their town. The catch? The monsters can’t handle alcohol—so the only way to survive is to get absolutely hammered. What follows is a wild, booze-fueled battle for survival, packed with witty humor, fun creature effects, and plenty of Irish charm. If you love horror movies that don’t take themselves too seriously, Grabbers is the perfect mix of comedy, action, and monster mayhem.
10. Sea Fever
Sea Fever (2019) is a slow-burning, horror film that blends sci-fi with deep-sea terror. The story follows Siobhán, a marine biology student who joins a small fishing crew for a research trip in the Atlantic. What starts as a routine expedition quickly turns into a nightmare when the boat gets stranded, and the crew discovers a mysterious, glowing organism lurking beneath them. As an unknown parasite begins infecting the ship, paranoia and desperation set in, forcing everyone to fight for survival. Sea Fever delivers a decent mix of isolation horror and Lovecraftian dread, making it a must-watch for fans of slow-burn thrillers like The Thing or The Abyss.
11. Unwelcome
Unwelcome (2022) is a creepy, folklore-driven horror film that mixes home invasion thrills with Irish mythology. The story follows a couple, Jamie and Maya, who escape city life for a quiet house in rural Ireland, hoping for a fresh start. But their new home comes with an unsettling warning—they must leave a daily offering for the mysterious creatures that live in the woods behind their house. When they fail to follow the tradition, things take a terrifying turn as the ancient, bloodthirsty goblins known as the Redcaps make their presence known. With a mix of creature horror, suspense, and a dark fairy tale vibe, Unwelcome delivers a unique ride that keeps your attention until the end.
12. You Are Not My Mother
You Are Not My Mother (2021) is a slow-burning psychological horror that taps into eerie Irish folklore and deep family trauma. The story follows Char, a quiet teenager living in a rough neighborhood in Dublin, whose mother suddenly disappears—only to return acting very… off. At first, Char tries to believe things will go back to normal, but her mother’s strange behavior grows more disturbing by the day. As Char digs into her family’s past, she starts to suspect that the person in her home might not be her mother at all. With its eerie atmosphere, unsettling performances, and a creepy folklore twist, You Are Not My Mother is a chilling, emotional horror film that sticks with you long after it’s over.
13. Leprechaun
Leprechaun (1993) is a ridiculous, campy horror-comedy that turns Irish folklore into pure ’90s B-movie fun. The story follows a greedy, mischievous leprechaun (played by Warwick Davis) who will stop at nothing to get his stolen gold back—even if it means going on a murderous rampage. When a group of unsuspecting people, including a young Jennifer Aniston in her film debut, accidentally release him from captivity, they quickly realize that this pint-sized terror isn’t just looking for his gold—he’s out for blood. With cheesy one-liners, over-the-top kills, and a bizarre mix of horror and humor, Leprechaun is the kind of so-bad-it’s-good movie that’s perfect for a St. Patrick’s Day horror binge.
Whether you’re in the mood for eerie folk horror, claustrophobic thrillers, or campy creature features, these 13 Irish horror movies offer a perfect mix of scares for your St. Patrick’s Day watchlist. From ancient curses to bloodthirsty monsters, these films tap into Ireland’s rich mythology and eerie landscapes to deliver unforgettable chills. So grab some popcorn (and maybe a pint), turn off the lights, and let these Irish horror gems bring a little terror to your holiday celebrations. Just be sure to keep an eye on the shadows—you never know what might be lurking.
Scare Me Please 