Top Haunted Places in Ireland
Ireland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and I've had the pleasure of visiting the Emerald Isle a few times. Visiting Ireland during the fall brings cooler temperatures, without the summer tourist crowds. Even in touristy areas like Dublin, you can find a more authentic Irish experience than you can during the August high season.
If you can visit during Halloween, it can be a great time to explore the more haunted side of this special place. Here are the top haunted places in Ireland, including a few where travelers can even spend the night:
Ballygally Castle
Once a spooky 17th century castle, it's now a popular tourist hotel. The ghosts are said to be those of original owners, Lord and Lady Shaw. It seems they didn't get along too well, and as the legend goes, the Lord locked her in her room until she starved to death. Guests report they've seen the Lady stalking the halls at night, knocking on doors, possibly looking for food. She's sometimes accompanied by the ghosts of the Lord and his soldiers, who died defending the castle from Norse raiders. You can stay in one of the "ghost rooms" located within the castle's turrets. Room rates start around $160. per night.
Ballygally Castle
Coast Road
Ballygally, County Antrim, Ireland
hastingshotels.com
Ross Castle
The 16th Century castle, now a quaint hotel, was first occupied by the British Lord of Devon. He was known as the Black Baron, because of his cruel treatment of local folks. According to legend, in a tragedy similar to Romeo and Juliet, his daughter, Sabrina, fell in love with Orwin, son of an Irish rebel chief. To escape her father's wrath, the couple tried to escape. He was killed and she died of heartbreak. They're buried on castle grounds, but Sabina just can't rest. Guests report they've seen her wandering before dawn crying for her lost love. Rates here start around $100. per night and the castle is an easy 60 mile drive from Dublin.
Ross Castle
Lough Sheelin
Meath, Ireland
www.ross-castle.com
Renvyle House Hotel
It's a reproduction of a 17th century manor house that was sacked and burned by rebel IRA members in the 1930s. Rebuilt to its original charm, it's now a popular oceanside family hotel in Galway Bay. Ghosts have been reported on several occasions. One guest, iconic Irish poet, ghost hunter and playwright William Butler Yeats, returned several times to investigate the supernatural happenings. He gathered other guests in a seance, and claimed he heard ghostly steps, doors slamming and heavy breathing. The hotel is right on the Atlantic Ocean in the beautiful town of Connemara and rates start around $150. per night.
Renvyle House Hotel
Renvyle
Built as a highway pub and rooming house in 1611, the building was first called The King's Arms. Grace Neill bought it in the early 19th Century and ran it for nearly a century. Grace had a reputation for constantly bustling around her pub, making sure everything was right. Apparently, her death in 1918 didn't stop her from her nightly rounds. Probably after several drinks, some bar patrons have reported seeing and hearing the spectre of a woman dressed in 19th Century clothing clomping around in the night shadows. They've also reported smelling tobacco, although smoking is banned. Grace smoked an old Irish clay pipe.
Grace Neill's Bar
33 High Street
Donaghadee, County Down, Ireland
graceneills.com
The Brazen Head
One of the world's oldest pubs, it opened in 1198, and has been destroyed and rebuilt several times since. Of course, these disturbances have angered the ghosts who hang out there. One of the most often seen is Bold Robert Emmit, who met with fellow conspirators at the pub to plot against the English Crown. He was caught in 1803 and hanged. He's said to appear at a table in a dark corner on some nights, eyes sweeping the room for British spies.
The Brazen Head
20 Lower Bridge Street
Dublin 8, Ireland
brazenhead.com
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If you can visit during Halloween, it can be a great time to explore the more haunted side of this special place. Here are the top haunted places in Ireland, including a few where travelers can even spend the night:
Ballygally Castle
Once a spooky 17th century castle, it's now a popular tourist hotel. The ghosts are said to be those of original owners, Lord and Lady Shaw. It seems they didn't get along too well, and as the legend goes, the Lord locked her in her room until she starved to death. Guests report they've seen the Lady stalking the halls at night, knocking on doors, possibly looking for food. She's sometimes accompanied by the ghosts of the Lord and his soldiers, who died defending the castle from Norse raiders. You can stay in one of the "ghost rooms" located within the castle's turrets. Room rates start around $160. per night.
Ballygally Castle
Coast Road
Ballygally, County Antrim, Ireland
hastingshotels.com
Ross Castle
The 16th Century castle, now a quaint hotel, was first occupied by the British Lord of Devon. He was known as the Black Baron, because of his cruel treatment of local folks. According to legend, in a tragedy similar to Romeo and Juliet, his daughter, Sabrina, fell in love with Orwin, son of an Irish rebel chief. To escape her father's wrath, the couple tried to escape. He was killed and she died of heartbreak. They're buried on castle grounds, but Sabina just can't rest. Guests report they've seen her wandering before dawn crying for her lost love. Rates here start around $100. per night and the castle is an easy 60 mile drive from Dublin.
Ross Castle
Lough Sheelin
Meath, Ireland
www.ross-castle.com
Renvyle House Hotel
It's a reproduction of a 17th century manor house that was sacked and burned by rebel IRA members in the 1930s. Rebuilt to its original charm, it's now a popular oceanside family hotel in Galway Bay. Ghosts have been reported on several occasions. One guest, iconic Irish poet, ghost hunter and playwright William Butler Yeats, returned several times to investigate the supernatural happenings. He gathered other guests in a seance, and claimed he heard ghostly steps, doors slamming and heavy breathing. The hotel is right on the Atlantic Ocean in the beautiful town of Connemara and rates start around $150. per night.
Renvyle House Hotel
Renvyle
County Galway, Connemara, Ireland
renvyle.com
Built as a highway pub and rooming house in 1611, the building was first called The King's Arms. Grace Neill bought it in the early 19th Century and ran it for nearly a century. Grace had a reputation for constantly bustling around her pub, making sure everything was right. Apparently, her death in 1918 didn't stop her from her nightly rounds. Probably after several drinks, some bar patrons have reported seeing and hearing the spectre of a woman dressed in 19th Century clothing clomping around in the night shadows. They've also reported smelling tobacco, although smoking is banned. Grace smoked an old Irish clay pipe.
Grace Neill's Bar
33 High Street
Donaghadee, County Down, Ireland
graceneills.com
The Brazen Head
One of the world's oldest pubs, it opened in 1198, and has been destroyed and rebuilt several times since. Of course, these disturbances have angered the ghosts who hang out there. One of the most often seen is Bold Robert Emmit, who met with fellow conspirators at the pub to plot against the English Crown. He was caught in 1803 and hanged. He's said to appear at a table in a dark corner on some nights, eyes sweeping the room for British spies.
The Brazen Head
20 Lower Bridge Street
Dublin 8, Ireland
brazenhead.com
Follow travel writer Ted Sherman on twitter, @travel4seniors and check out his blog,travel4seniors.com
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Published by Ted Sherman - Featured Contributor in Travel
Navy service WWII and Korea, BFA, MA. Retired, experience: exec. speechwriter, advertising, sales promotion, PR, graphic art, photography, travel and humor writing. Follow me: @travel4seniors, Editor of tra... View profile
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1 Comments
Post a CommentGood article if I were to travel overseas seeing places in Ireland would be my first pick Nice job on this Laura Everly