Historically Haunted: Haunted Castles in Ireland

Visit Haunted Castles In Ireland!

By Patricia McKinney-Lins

Visit a haunted castle in Ireland! Friendly ghosts as well as disturbed spirits have been detected in many Irish castles. You will learn the history behind the haunting and might experience a shiver or two yourself! Castle doors suddenly slam shut. Swift winds tear through guestrooms 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 orstay 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 County Offaly is haunted by the ghost ofits former owner, by druids buried on the grounds, and by a girlwho fell from a high staircase to her death. When I visited,ghost hunters were setting up equipment to detect the spirits.

Clonony Castle is in County Offaly, near the Shannon River. Aghostly figure of a man reportedly patrols one of its towers.

Ballygally Castle is 20 miles from Belfast on the Antrim coastin Northern Ireland. It is a beautiful hotel and is said to haveits own friendly ghost!

Carrickfergus Castle in County Antrim, Northern Ireland is hometo "Buttoncap", the ghost of a young 16th Century soldier.

Huntington Castle in 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.

Killua Castle, located in County Westmeath, is rumored to have a former employee's ghostly figure stalking the grounds atnight.

Castle Leslie in County Monaghan, Northern Ireland is abeautiful castle haunted by Norman Leslie, slain in World War I.

Gormanston Castle in County Meath was owned by a family forseven 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".

Wilton Castle in County Wexford 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 mosthaunted castle in Ireland. Its bloody past of massacres andmurders has led to the presence of vengeful ghosts andunexplained noises, placing Leap Castle at the top of the listof real haunted castles in Ireland.

Whether or not you believe in ghost stories, it is worth testing your beliefs first hand. You will definitely enjoy a visit to these beautiful and real haunted castles in Ireland.

About the Author: Take the worry out of booking your ownspecial trip to the Emerald Isle. Go to the author's website athttp://www.majestic-castles-in-ireland.com/ for Ireland traveladvice. Experience the beautiful landscapes, the stunningcoastlines, the quaint villages, and so much more.