What are the scariest elements in 'old true irish ghost stories'?

The malevolence of the spirits in some stories is terrifying. For example, in the Hellfire Club tales, the idea that they summoned evil spirits and those spirits are still around causing strange lights and coldness. These spirits are not friendly or just lost souls. They seem to have a purpose of causing fear and unease, and that sense of an active, malicious presence is what makes these Irish ghost stories truly frightening.

The shape - shifting nature of the Pooka is quite scary. You never know what form it will take and when it might lead you astray in the dark.

The unknown is a very scary element. In Irish Halloween ghost stories, like the tales of the banshee, you don't know when or where she will appear. Her wail can come out of nowhere, and it's a sign of death. That suddenness and mystery are terrifying.

The scariest elements often involve a sense of dread and the connection to the past. Take the Lady in White at Loftus Hall. The fact that she made a pact with the devil and is still haunting the place is really spooky. It makes you think about the evil that might have been done there in the past. Also, in the stories of the ghostly coach, the mystery surrounding it, not knowing its origin or destination, is what makes it so frightening. It could just show up out of nowhere while you're on a lonely road at night.

Another element is the ghosts of warriors or ancient chieftains. These ghosts might be tied to the land, perhaps because of some unfulfilled vow or a great battle that took place there. Their stories often involve protecting the territory or seeking revenge. For example, they might haunt the place where they died in battle, and people might report seeing a spectral figure in old armor. It makes the stories rich in history and local lore.

The unknown is a very scary element. In many Irish stories, there are creatures like the Banshee whose powers and motives are not fully understood. You don't know when or why she'll appear, and that sense of mystery is terrifying.

The unknown is the scariest. In these stories, things happen without explanation. Like sudden cold spots or objects moving on their own.

The unpredictability in true Filipino ghost stories is quite scary. For example, the White Lady can suddenly appear on a lonely road without any warning. You could be driving along peacefully, and then there she is in your headlights.

The sense of the unknown is really scary. In Japanese ghost stories like those about the Teke Teke, which is a spirit that crawls around on its hands and elbows making a 'teke teke' sound. You don't know when or where it will show up. It creates a feeling of constant unease.

The unknown is the scariest element. In true ghost stories, there are often things that can't be explained by normal means. For example, objects moving on their own. You don't know what force is causing it, and that sense of not knowing is terrifying.