With ancient history, fascinating legends and enchanted lands, Ireland is really a magical island with a lot to offer. Whether it is history you are after, or you are curious to see some of the most ancient spiritual places, or even if you’re seeking thrill in the darker side of this mysterious land, Ireland can give you all this and much more.
There are plenty of sights and places of interests that will take your breath away but if we are to suggest a route to follow, or some guidelines to help you arrange your itinerary, then the ancient castles routes are certainly the way to go. Far from being like the common boring visits to castles adapted as museums, in Ireland you can be a princess, a ghost hunter, a historian or a daring adventurer, depending on your personal inclination. With tons of interesting facts, incredibly barbarous history, the quirkiest legends and fabled locations, Irish castles will blow your mind away while you fluctuate between ancient and modern, middle age and current time traditions, past and present, reality and fiction for a lifetime experience. Tours can be easily adjusted according to your needs and are widely offered throughout the country. There are different formulas, from get-away weekends to long stay of about two weeks, and a variety of routes, depending of which area of interest you’re keen on exploring.
Haunted Castles
If you think you are brave enough and you are ready to question your strong disbelief, you’re welcome to stay at some of the most notoriously haunted castles in Europe, renowned for the unexplainable paranormal activities and apparitions.
Ballygally Castle, located in the picturesque county Antrim, in the North-East side of Ireland, is a must-see if you’re happy to spice up your vacation with some thrilling experience. Built in 1625, the castle has been the scenario to some odd facts that have been reported on a number of occasions by visitors and overnight guests. In particular, the ghost of the former resident, Lady Isobel Shaw, is a habitué of the castle.
Just about 20 miles from Belfast, not far at all from the stunning world heritage site of the Giant's Causeway, this castle is usually the base for haunted castles tours if you start off in Northern Ireland and want to move south to get to the Republic. If you dare, you can even spend the night in the castle; just don’t complain to the receptionist the morning after, saying someone insistently knocked on your door in the middle of the night. She would probably respond with only a condescending smile.
Leap Castle, in County Offaly, is the place to go if you would like to challenge your cynical friends. This castle would give goose-bumps to the most skeptical minds. Not surprisingly, it is said to be the most haunted castle not only in Ireland, but in the whole Europe, and has been object of scientific studies, documentaries and TV shows on a number of occasions. Nevertheless, a reasonable explanation to the paranormal activity taking place in the old fortress is yet to be found.
Back in the early 15th century, the current castle was erected over the ruins of a previous fortress, which has even more story to tell us. As a matter of fact, the earlier castle was built on an area that had been previously used by the Druids (the ancient Celtic priests) to execute their despicable ceremonies and horrific human sacrifices during the Iron Age. More blood was poured over the area as, still the 15th century, the O’Bannon brothers had courage to contest, to prove who was the strongest and bravest that would become chief of the O’Bannon clan. In order to prove that, they had to jump off the rocky slope (which was indeed the area where Leap castle was to be built). We’ll spare you the details, but it is understood that the castle sets its basement on a land of blood and tears.
Leap castles was called as such by the fierce unmerciful people of the O’Carroll clan, the most ferocious clan in Ireland. They occupied the castle in 1532 and were responsible for numerous atrocious acts at the time, such as the ruthless killing of opponents and innocent people, the brutal slaughters of guests during sumptuous banquets in their own castle, the murder of the priest Mulrooney O'Carroll, one of the O’Carroll brothers, assassinated during a mass service in the chapel by his own brother Teige, following a series of battles and violent disputes between the two. It comes without saying that the chapel, called “bloody chapel” is now the favorite spot for ghost hunters as the spirit of the hooded priest, usually announces his presence there, with his strong smell and a range of paranormal occurrences.
Another notoriously strong-smelling spirit populates the castle; however, his identity is not clear yet. It’s the demonic undefined entity called the “Element” that would really scare the hell out of anyone. As reported by various TV programs, studies and reality shows, the spirit would constantly make its presence known in different obnoxious ways, resulting in more or less frightening experiences.
The spooky acts and ceremonies of the Druids have marked the history of the Charleville Forest Castle, in county Offaly, as well. Here, several ghosts have been spotted wandering around the catacombs and inside the tower.
The most bizarre spirit, famous for his “weasel eye” and a yellow wig, has been seen in the gothic Killua Castle, a fascinating fortress that can be seen conjunctly with the former, which presents both old ruins and a renovated area, ready to welcome the bravest visitors.
These and many other stories will be revealed to you if you join a guided tour that will specifically stop by the scariest and most fascinating haunted castles, giving you the opportunity to enjoy – we hope – a pleasant stay despite the cold air currents, squeaking wood furniture and – of course – the many castle’s ancient and mischievous owners. Normally these tours take you around castles in different counties all over Ireland on a 7 day trip. However, bear in mind that tours are always subject to minor changes due to room availability, possible restoration works and alike. It is, therefore, recommended to make all your arrangements in advance. However, it is fairly easy to find different options, shorter trips, and even agencies which can help you arrange individual customizable tours.
If you think you are brave enough, then nothing stops you from renting a car and endeavor a self-guided tour driving around this marvelous island and maybe go explore haunted churches and old buildings too – if you’re really after ghosts! Again, it is still recommendable to book your self-drive tour with an agency to secure a room in the castles you’re going to visit.
Stay in luxury castles
Now, if you’re not the horror story type, don’t’ shift your attention away, as Ireland is not all about spooky stinky humid old rattraps. This land can treat you like a royal like no other in its sumptuous, magnificent fortresses.
In County Limerick, there’s Adare Manor hotel, a dream venue for weddings and sophisticated ceremonies, other than being a gentlemen’s favorite for its top-end Golf Resort. Although the hotel is astonishingly renovated, you can still get a sense of the past and breathe in some history while sitting by the centenary Lebanese Cedar tree.
You may wonder how safe the whole structure is, as it dates all the way back to the 5th century, but believe it or not, Dromoland Castle is one of the most exquisite 5 star hotels, absolutely loved by visitors worldwide. Chosen either for its opulent golf course and picturesque location, as it spreads over the bank of a lavish river in the lush Irish countryside, this castle is the quintessence of royalty standards, belonging to no less than the King of Ireland.
Similar to Dromoland Castle, but probably lacking in historical interest, Ashford Castle is a renowned astonishing fortress which owes its popularity to its perfect location, flawless service and unbeatable rooms and facilities.
Abbeyglen Castle Hotel is beautifully located on the charming ‘Sky Road’ in Connemara offering a breathtaking view on Clifden Bay. Warm welcome is usually given to guests offering a glass of champagne, and the atmosphere is absolutely idyllic thanks to the piano music during and after a refined dinner.
If you’re looking for comfort, a fairytale touch and… a spa, then you want to seek shelter in the Blue Stack Mountains, at Solis Lough Eske Castle in County Donegal, perfect location for those who want to seek peace and tranquility in the middle of nature without having to let go on luxurious amenities.
Usually all castles offering accommodation provide exquisite, unexceptionable service while offering an elegant environment in a truthful atmosphere, by using themed outfits, serving traditional food and drinks in luscious banquet halls where you will literally eat like a king.
Among the most common amenities there are golf courses, private meeting rooms, pools and libraries. Because of the nature of the island, it is often quite easy to do hassle-free outdoor activities, to be booked directly through the hotel. Definitely the best way to soak in Ireland’s reinvigorating air and its lush nature, is while going jogging, strolling in the forest or along the wild beach shores, horseback riding, fishing, windsurfing and more.
Touring the luxury castles if you don’t have a king’s heritage to spend is also possible through organized tours. Again, there’s a variety of options, depending on your requirements and where you want to start the tour from. It is recommended to indulge yourself in a minimum of 7 to 10 day stay, but if you think you could do with this royal lifestyle for a little longer, you can shamelessly spend up to 14 nights in several luxurious castles around Ireland. The tours will stop by the most remarkable fortresses – what these are does depend on the length of the stay and the regional areas you want to visit, and aim to give visitors a complete experience of the local ancient and modern culture, the Irish traditional gastronomical and cultural customs, convey to visitors a real sense of what it was like back in time, truthful detailed historical facts and quirky anecdotes that will make your stay pleasant and instructive altogether. The high-end catering service, the astonishing buildings and the peerless wondrous scenery of Ireland will do the rest.
Irish castles on the big screen
Niche films and local production aside, Ireland has proudly showcased its beauties in many films worldwide. Irish castles are often protagonists in historical and phantasy movies and TV shows – just think about Games of thrones, for example! We all know Mel Gibson’s Oscar-winning Braveheart, don’t we? Although set in Scotland, the film is actually shot in the Irish highlands, featuring the stunning Anglo-Norman Trimm Castle, in county Meath, recognizable by the majestic twenty-sided defense tower with a cruciform shape. Whereas the castle can be visited on your own, the tower is only accessible on guided tours.
The Ashford castle, in county Mayo, served as location for the 1952 movie The Quiet Man, a John Ford’s classic, other than being the exclusive wedding venue chosen by the famous American actor (yet Irish native) Pierce Brosnan.
For the film-lovers, there’s a themed tour which will take you around Cong village to visit the places where the most iconic scenes of the film were shot, like Innisfree, Castletown, the spot where they shot the fight by the river and more, in about 30 minutes. Yes, do watch the film if you haven’t already, and if you like it, then pre-book the tour as it sells out quickly; you will feel like you’re walking into a deja-vu.
Another classic, the 1981 Excalibur, was shot entirely in Ireland, featuring the 1375 Cahir Castle in county Tipperary, which was the setting of the film’s famous battle scenes.
If you don’t want to take a tour and just hope to bump into some ancient abandoned castles, you’ve got good chances to find a few on your way, so hire a car and drive around. However, you really can’t leave the island without visiting an old castle which hides a magical stone that all people passing by Ireland kiss - one of Ireland’s main traditions.
Blarney Castle is where the magic happens. Just 5 miles away from Cork, in the namesake Southern county, the castle welcomes thousands of visitors on a daily basis, all there to kiss the magical stone that was set into one of the walls of the tower in 1446, which has become a really popular attraction among the Irish, the Europeans and overseas visitors alike, who are willing to lie down on their back, lean backwards over the edge while holding an iron railing and kiss the stone just in front of them. By kissing the stone they acquire the “gift of the gab”.
In the past, visitors would reach the stone having a guardian holding them by their ankles as they were hanging in the air. Despite this difficulty, it’s rumored that many iconic personalities of the fictional and cultural scene did so, meaning that the stone has been kissed by millions and millions of people. And there’s who claim it works! Although its history is debated and a little controversial, there seems to be no doubt about the effectiveness of its powers. So I guess the only way to find out is to give it a go. Should your discourse skills not improve, you can still try and become more eloquent kissing another milestone of the Irish culture: good pint of Guinness. That may or may not work best, but definitely tastes nicer.
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