Would you stay in Ireland’s most haunted castle hotels?
IRELAND is dotted with majestic castles from various stages of Irish history, from the seats of Irish chieftains to those built by British landlords.
And where there is a castle, there is often inevitably some form of dark history.
Many Irish castles have a dark side to their history, some of which still function today as hotel accommodation and wedding venues. Here are just five of those haunted locations - would you be brave enough to spend a night in one of these buildings?
KINNITTY CASTLE, CO OFFALY Kinnitty Castle was built by William O’Carroll in 1630 but there have been important buildings listed as having existed on this site as early as 350AD.
An old abbey and high cross still exist on the site to this day which is considered central to the alleged hauntings as a monk named Hugh is still said to roam the halls and the grounds as a reminder of the pre-castle history of the area.
The spirits of a woman named Lady Catherine and a child are also said to be present.
CABRA CASTLE, CO CAVAN
Cabra Castle in Cavan was once voted the second scariest hotel in the world. The ghosts of this castle are tied to a forbidden relationship that took place in the 1780s. A relationship began between the son of the then-owner of the castle and a servant girl.
The story goes that when the girl fell pregnant, she was taken from the castle and tragically hung from a bridge.
Guests have reported hearing the spine-tingling sounds of a crying baby in the dead of the night and a strange feeling of a presence in the courtyard.
KILKEA CASTLE, CO KILDARE
Kilkea Castle in Kildare is often referred to as one of the most haunted castles in Ireland, and for good reason, as a stay at this estate can include a ‘special’ night-time supernatural tour.
The guided post-sunset walk takes visitors through the history of the castle, while also offering a chance to spot some of the more well-known Kilkea ghosts.
There are stories of a little girl playing in the hallways and tugging at bedcovers at night and a woman in white who crosses the courtyard and passes through the stone walls.
ROSS CASTLE, CO MEATH
You have a pretty high chance of encountering the supernatural world at Ross Castle in County Meath, by all accounts.
This 16th-century castle turned B&B, was originally built by the famously cruel, English Lord Richard Nugent.
Although his presence has been reported within the grounds, it’s his daughter, Sabina, who most often haunts guests.
It is said that after her lover died in a storm as they rowed across Lake Sheelin, she locked herself in the castle tower and starved to death.
She is often seen throughout the castle with doors heard slamming into the night.
MARKREE CASTLE, CO SLIGO
Last, but certainly not least, Sligo’s own Markree Castle has it’s purported ghostly presence - a little girl named Pippa.
She is very mischievous and often plays tricks on people, locking them in their room and causing them to drop trays and items.
One Christmas, the owners bought Pippa a present and this stopped her causing trouble. An
American couple who came to Ireland to get married in Markree Castle brought with them presents for Pippa.
Their wedding went off without a hitch.
A woman spending a night there also reported that her young daughter had a full blown conversation with seemingly no-one, with the daughter insisting she was talking to her new friend who was standing in the corner.