Leap Castle
Castle doors suddenly slam shut. Swift winds tear through guest
rooms on otherwise calm nights. Terrifying wails are heard from
deep within castles. The reason for these events? Ghosts. Their
spirits have been haunting some castles in Ireland for hundreds
of years. If you are brave enough, you might want to visit or
stay in one of the real haunted castles in Ireland.
Many battles took place in Irish castles over many centuries of
struggle for Irish rule. The violence and bloodshed took many
lives and created many legends. Some of the castle ghosts were
involved in the fighting; others had more personal tragedies. I
visited many haunted castles during my most recent castle tour.
Charleville Castle in Tullamore, County Offaly is haunted by the
ghost of its former owner, by druids buried on the grounds, and
by a girl who fell from a high staircase to her death. When I
visited, ghost hunters were setting up equipment to detect the
spirits.
Clonony Castle in Birr, County Offaly, is near the Shannon River
in the Irish Midlands. A ghostly figure of a man reportedly
patrols one of its towers.
Ballygally Castle is 20 miles from Belfast on the Antrim coast in
Northern Ireland. This beautiful hotel has a seaside location and
its own friendly ghost! Her name is Isabella; she was the wife of
James Shaw. The legend says that she was locked in her room after
she gave birth to her baby. She tried to escape and either fell
or was thrown to her death. I don’t know why she would be a
friendly ghost with that history!
Carrickfergus Castle is just east of Belfast in County Antrim,
Northern Ireland. This haunted castle is has a seaside location
and is home to “Buttoncap”, the ghost of a young 16th Century
soldier.
Huntington Castle in Clonegal, County Carlow is built on the site
of a Druids Temple. Spirits of deceased monks, a murdered
soldier, and Lady Esmond all haunt this large estate. You may
want to visit this site when you are in Ireland’s Southeast
Region.
Killua Castle, located in County Westmeath, in the East Coast and
Midlands Region of Ireland, is rumored to have a former
employee’s ghostly figure stalking the grounds at night.
Castle Leslie in County Monaghan, Northern Ireland is a beautiful
castle haunted by Norman Leslie, slain in World War I.
Gormanston Castle in County Meath was owned by a family for seven
centuries. Legend has it that foxes surrounded the castle upon
the death of one of the family members.
Kinnitty Castle in Country Offaly is a beautifully restored
castle hotel built on land once inhabited by Druids. This castle
is haunted by the “Phantom Monk of Kinnitty”. The castle has
become a popular wedding venue, despite the uninvited ghostly
guest!
Wilton Castle in County Wexford, is in Ireland’s Southeast
Region. This castle is said to be home to the ghosts of a former
magistrate, a dead actress, and a former castle resident.
Leap Castle in County Offaly is widely regarded as the most
haunted castle in Ireland. Its bloody past of massacres and
murders has led to the presence of vengeful ghosts and
unexplained noises, placing Leap Castle at the top of the list of
real haunted castles in Ireland. The current owners of this
haunted castle have been interviewed by several reporters of
paranormal activity. Various television shows and even internet
movie clips have featured the ghosts of Leap Castle. The owners
claim to co-exist peacefully with the spirits and have come to
accept their presence.
Whether or not you believe in ghost stories, it is worth testing
your beliefs firsthand. You will definitely enjoy a visit to
these beautiful and real haunted castles in Ireland.
Copyright 2008-2009, Patricia McKinney-Lins. All rights reserved.
Written by: Patricia G. McKinney-Lins.
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