Haunted Irish Castles and Other Places of Interest
Every castle is haunted, I was told once, by a reliable source. The gentleman lived in a small castle with it's share of ghosts. Unfortunately, they were a little shy the night I stayed there with my friends, although it sure was hard to focus my video camera after midnight. Do you think...? Nah...probably not.
Whether you believe in Ghosts or not, the stories abound about haunted castles and the inhabitants that refuse to leave their earthly homes even after they've left this life for the next. Ireland has plenty of castles, and since we've already established that all castles are haunted, ghosts abound on the Emerald Isle.
Although a castle no longer stands on the hill of Tara, the spirits of the High Kings of the past are believed to still roam the verdant hillside. Some visitors to the sight claim they feel the presence of long ago people. Legend states that the Tuatha De Dannan, the first kings to sit upon the throne at Tara, still rule, but from the underworld where they chose to go in order to achieve peace for Ireland.
Then there is Leap Castle in County Offaly, in southern Ireland. Leap Castle is considered the most haunted and evil place in all of Ireland, although the present owners and residents will say otherwise. Through the centuries, Leap saw it's share of bloody battles and power struggles. One ghost visitors have claimed to see is a woman in a red flowing gown, holding her right hand above her head. Witnesses to this spectral appearance have reported feeling a deep sense of oppression in their chests. But the woman in red is nothing compared to the demonic and downright evil presence others have allegedly encountered.
"The strangest and most demonic specter in the castle is a foul smelling elemental, half-human, half-beast that haunts the tower stairs and is believed to be the embodiment of all the horrific and evil deeds that have taken place there over the centuries."*
Skyrne Castle in County Meath has several ghosts, but the most prominent is a woman in white believed to be a lady named Lilith Palmerston. She was raped and murdered in the castle in the 1700's, and her cries have been said to fill the hallways of this castle during the night.
And who says only castles are haunted? Though not evil, the ghostly torch-lit procession of monks at Tintern Abbey, seen approaching the Gothic entrance and heard chanting in Latin, is still a bit spooky.
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