Top 8 of Ireland’s most haunted castles!
Places rumoured to be the scene of frightening apparitions! Enough to give you goose bumps!
9 October 2023, 06:45
Did you know? Ireland has thousands of castles! Sometimes intact, sometimes in ruins, some are the bearers of myths and legends, often frightening! Some even seem to be haunted! Curious to know which ones? Don’t worry: here are the top scariest castles in Ireland! A must-see for those who like to be frightened and are fond of paranormal experiences!
1. Dunluce castle, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
Dunluce Castle – © Artur
We look forward to seeing you in Northern Ireland, at Dunluce Castle. The building, in ruins, is absolutely magnificent, and has the advantage of having been built on the edge of a cliff: an exceptional view of the ocean!
As well as being a must-see for travelers, the castle also has a reputation for being haunted! It was here that an English captain was captured and sentenced to death by hanging. Some locals like to say they’ve seen the captain’s ghost still wandering around the tower where he was hanged…
That’s why many people advise against strolling around the castle at night: you’re liable to encounter terrifying figures straight from the beyond!
2. Leap castle, Co. Offaly, Republic of Ireland
The Leap Castle – © Nikki
Leap Castle, in County Offaly, is known as one of Ireland’s most haunted castles. Privately owned by the Ryan family, Leap Castle attracts thousands of goosebump-seeking tourists every year, even though access is highly restricted.
The O’Carroll clan, who occupied the castle for many years, are at the origin of most of the stories and tales that circulate around the building. Legend has it that the O’Carroll clan tortured, raped and brutally killed dozens of people here. Many believe that the spirits of the victims are condemned to wander the castle! They would live in contact with the family currently living in the château… Brrr…
Rumor also has it that a Red Lady wanders the castle at night, knife in hand, hoping to avenge the child who was stolen from her. Just thinking about it gives you the shivers. It’s certainly one of Ireland’s most haunted castles!
3. Malahide castle, Co. Dublin, Republic of Ireland
The Malahide castle – © Jenifoto
Malahide Castle is one of Ireland’s most popular attractions! Not far from Dublin, the building is popular for guided tours and walks in the surrounding area.
However, few people are aware of the ghost stories that revolve around the castle!
It all began in the 12th century, when the site was the scene of strange apparitions. Many believe that a “White Lady” and the “court jester” Puck haunt the premises.
They would still have been seen today…
4. Tully castle, Co. Fermanagh, Republic of Ireland
Tully Castle – jamie_okeefe – cc
Tully Castle was built in the 17th century near Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.
According to legend, on Christmas Day 1641, during the Irish rebellion, the castle was burnt to the ground with many people inside, including women and children.
If this brutal massacre did indeed take place, it would explain the frightening feeling many people say they felt at the castle. Some even claim to have witnessed terrifying paranormal phenomena: ghostly apparitions, moving shadows, sounds of moaning and groaning… etc. Enough to keep you up at night!
5. Castle Leslie, Co. Monaghan, Republic of Ireland
The Castle Leslie – malavoda – cc
Château Leslie was built in the 17th century for the Leslie family. But it has since been transformed into a luxury hotel.
The Red Room is the castle’s main attraction. But this piece would be far from being just another picèe. Many Irish people claim that it is haunted by Norman Leslie, a member of the family who owned the castle and died during the First World War.
Even though the Red Room offers a breathtaking view of the lake and castle grounds, it’s as scary as ever because of its dark history. In fact, some travellers hardly dare venture in: they’d feel an inexplicable sense of unease on entering the room!
6. Leamaneh castle, Co. Clare, Republic of Ireland
Leamaneh Castle – © Jenifoto
Leamaneh Castle is located in the famous Burren region of County Clare in Ireland. Legend has it that Red Mary’s ghost haunts the castle. Theories about her existence abound, but many are convinced that the young woman was trapped alive in a hollow tree trunk, suspected of having married and then killed more than 20 husbands… After countless sufferings, she succumbed to cold, disease and hunger…
But his spirit would always haunt the place.
7. Loftus Hall, Co. Wexford, Republic of Ireland
Loftus Hall – © Barry Lynch
Loftus Hall is more a manor house than a castle… But the stories are nothing short of nightmarish. Located on the magnificent Hook Head Peninsula, not far from the lighthouse of the same name, lies Loftus Hall, a ruined manor house.
Legend has it that the devil visited the owners of the manor in the guise of a young sailor. The year was 1775. The mysterious young man befriends the owner’s first daughter, Anne.
As they play cards one evening, the young girl realizes she’s missing a card. She decides to bend down to see if it has fallen under the table. But what a surprise when she realizes that the sailor has a cloven foot!
No sooner does she realize this than the young sailor makes a prodigious leap and escapes through the roof, creating a gaping hole in the structure! Convinced she’s seen the devil, Anne ends up losing her mind, and finds herself locked up by her father in one of the rooms at Loftus Hall. She died a few months later…
Since then, legend has it that the young woman’s spirit haunts the premises…
8. Clifden castle, Co. Galway, Republic of Ireland
Clifden castle – nora.warschewski – cc
Clifden is one of Connemara’s main villages… and attracts thousands of visitors every year, who come to explore Ireland’s great outdoors, but also to discover Clifden Castle, a castle reputed to be haunted!
The building was constructed in 1818 for John D’Arcy, a wealthy local landowner. However, the château went into decline in the early days of the Great Famine.
For the Irish, the castle is haunted by the spirits of the victims of that era. At that time, the château’s grounds were used to receive the poor and dying, in an attempt to help them.
However, the majority perished from malnutrition and disease.
Since that day, the castle is said to be haunted by the spirits of the victims of the Great Irish Famine. Ghosts, suspicious noises, cries and screams from the beyond… The ghosts of Clifden Castle would never rest.
Every year in October, the castle hosts a scary show that attracts many tourists. You can also wander around the ruins at any time of year: provided you’re brave enough!
To discover...
17 May 2024 
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