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The Ghost and Aliens Close to the Military Base in Andalucía

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A trail of ghost children passing the road, the sight of a shining woman in the middle of the road are just some of the strange tales about the haunted stretch of road close to a military base in Andalucía. 

Over the course of 19 years people claimed to see strange apparition on the stretch of road from Seville to Moron de la Frontera in Andalucía. It was built to connect the towns of Arahal, Utrera, Montellano and the Moron air base and strange things are said to happen here in the dead of the night. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain

There is not only one ghost story connected to this place, but several. And the ghost stories told about this place is not even the strangest thing told about this stretch of road. 

The Ghost of Children Crossing the Road

Some of the strange apparition seen along this road is what appears to be the ghosts of school children. 

Drivers along this road saw lines of children wearing what looked like school uniforms as they were crossing the road while holding hands before they suddenly vanished into thin air.

This was told by 4 young people in a car when one night 20 years ago a man jumped out from the ditch and stopped the traffic in the middle of the night by standing in the middle of the road to let the ghost children pass. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Haunted Roads all around the world.

A line of children, boys and girls holding hands dressed in their school uniforms appeared. They crossed the road and disappeared without a trace. 

If there have been a particular accident involving young school children that ended their life in a car accident is unclear. However, the legend about the ghost children crossing the road had been told for years now and has cemented itself as a part of the road lore. 

There has been talk that it used to be a rural school in the place a long time ago, but what happened to it, no one really knows. 

The Shining Woman in the Middle of the Road

Another ghost legend told about the place is what appears like the ghost of a woman. She is said to be appearing in the middle of the road who shines so bright that they first think she is some sort of traffic signal. 

One of the witnesses of this strange thing was seen by Pedro Luque and his wife when they came driving on this road. It was dark and winter and when they approached what they thought was a traffic signal, they realized it was a woman.  

He described her as at least 50 years old tall and skinny, with a serious look on her face like she was scared. 

They didn’t stop for her, but when they passed her on the road and looked in the rearview mirror, she was gone. 

Whether this is some sort of classical vanishing hitchhiker story is likely, but it could also pass as some of the more strange rumors going on about this road. 

UFO’s and Humanoid Figures Close to the Military Base

As mentioned earlier, ghost stories are far from the strangest things people talk about when talking about this road. There have also been talks about seeing UFOs and other otherworldly things here.

Even the military have taken action to investigate the strange things that seemingly keep happening here. 

Read more: Check out the stories about The Haunted Observation Post Rock in War Torn Afghanistan, Conn Barracks Ghosts of Nazi Soldiers and Bloody Nurses and The Lingering Presence of a Nazi Ghost at Skaugum for more ghost stories about haunted military bases.

A fair point about the strange things happening around these parts have been attributed to the proximity to the military base, especially since it is close to the base of the secretive Spanish air force in Moron. 

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References:

Misterios de Sevilla: niños espectrales y terror en la carretera

Los 10 tramos de carretera más misteriosos de España

Driving the 10 most haunted roads of Spain

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The Gentle Haunting at Markree Castle

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Although connected to Red Mary, infamous for her cruelty, the Markree Castle is believed to be haunted by the spirit of a young girl that likes when guests leave her presents. 

In the enchanting landscapes of County Sligo, Markree Castle has witnessed centuries of change, echoing with the footsteps of generations who have called it home. Today it is a four star hotel on the Irish coastal route Wild Atlantic Way.

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Ireland

Markree Castle has been the cherished seat of the Cooper family since 1663. Its walls have borne witness to the ebb and flow of time, holding within their confines the tales of those who lived, loved, and sometimes lingered beyond their years.

History of the Castle

In the 17th century, Markree Castle was originally allotted to Cornet Edward Cooper, a soldier who served under Cromwell. The castle had previously been a fortified outpost of the McDonagh Clan, guarding a river ford. After Edward married Marie Rua, widow of Conor O’Brien who died in battle, they lived at Dromoland Castle. The Red Mary has her own ghost story from another castle. 

Their descendants continued to own Markree Castle, although there were periods when they had to flee due to political turmoil, such as during King James’s attempt to regain the throne and the Irish Civil War in the 1920s.

Read More: Check out all of the Haunted Castles from around the world

In the 19th century, Col. Edward Joshua Cooper established Markree Observatory on the castle grounds, housing one of the world’s largest telescopes at the time. The castle underwent architectural changes in the 1800s and recorded Ireland’s lowest officially recognized air temperature in 1881.

Markree Castle: This haunted castle in Sligo, Ireland, is said to be haunted by the ghost of a small girl. //Source: Wikimedia

In the 20th century, Bryan Cooper inherited the castle in 1902 and resided there with his family, except during World War I and political duties, until his death in 1930. After the Second World War, the castle was occupied by Bryan and Elizabeth Cooper until 1981. In 1992, it was converted into a hotel by Charles Cooper. The castle underwent renovations after being sold to the Corscadden family in 2015.

The Ghost Pippa Haunting Markree Castle

Unlike some other haunted dwellings that bear witness to darker, more sinister apparitions, Markree Castle’s ghosts are said to be of a gentler disposition. At the heart of its supernatural tales lies the spirit of a young child, whose tragic passing left an indelible mark on the castle’s soul.

The hauntings have become so regular over the years that the staff have named her Pippa and have even learned to manage her by leaving her little gifts.

The mischievous little spirit is believed to find amusement in playfully locking doors and causing staff to fumble with their plates. While some might find these antics unnerving, they serve as a reminder of the castle’s rich history and the lives that once thrived within its walls.

Visitors that have brought their children have experienced them being visited by this curious ghost. One guest found her 2 year old talking with no one and when asked, the child pointed to the corner, but there was no one there. 

The Enigmatic Cellars

In the depths of Markree Castle’s cellars, where the past meets the present in a spectral dance, there have been reports of paranormal activities. These mysterious occurrences beckon those with a penchant for the supernatural to explore the castle’s hidden depths and perhaps glimpse the ethereal residents that call it home.

Markree Castle’s blend of history, elegance, and the supernatural makes it a captivating destination for adventurers and history enthusiasts alike on its 500 acres that are now a hotel.

As you wander through its corridors and explore its enigmatic cellars, keep an eye out for the mischievous spirit who reminds us that even in the afterlife, there’s room for a bit of playful fun.

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Markree Castle | Haunted Sligo, Ireland | Spirited Isle

The History of of Markree Castle | Irish Castle

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Isla de Pedrosa – the Haunted Island

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The haunted Isla de Pedrosa was a place of isolation. First for sailors with exotic diseases, then as a children’s sanatorium for those suffering from strange afflictions. In the later years it has been thought to be haunted by those isolated on the island that took those unwanted by the rest of society.  

Off the coast of Cantabria, the Isla Pedrosa sits as a dark spot on the blue ocean. The island has become known as Isla Embrujada, or the haunted islands because of the strange things that are said to have taken place there.

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain

Isolated places were in old times used as a precaution to illnesses since the time of the Black Death and often deserted islands close to the ports were used to hinder any diseases from oncoming ships. These places are called lazarettos, taken from the Bible story about the man that rose from the dead. The most famous Lazaretto is perhaps the haunted Poveglia Island in Venice.

Lazaretto: Isla de Pedrosa was for a long time used as a lazaretto for ships that came from exotic places to quarantine and prevent bringing any illness into port.

In the 19th century, Isla de Pedrosa took on a new role as a place to house sailors and other individuals suffering from exotic diseases from 1834 to help battle the diseases like yellow fever from America for instance as well as smallpox, tuberculosis, cholera and leprosy. The isolation of the island made it an ideal location for quarantine, protecting the mainland from potential outbreaks. It is said that during this time, many tragic events occurred on the island, leaving behind a haunting presence that still lingers today.

In the first decade of the 20th century it was converted from a lazaretto into a maritime children’s sanatorium. It could house over 200 children from almost half of Spain by 1910. First and foremost it was in an effort to combat tuberculosis. It wasn’t the only illness though and it operated until 1989. 

The Haunting Legends of Isla de Pedrosa

One of the most chilling aspects of Isla de Pedrosa’s history is the abundance of haunting legends that surround the island. Many locals and visitors alike have reported eerie encounters and unexplained phenomena, contributing to its reputation as a haunted place.

Among the abandoned buildings on Isla de Pedrosa, there is one that stands out as particularly haunted – the abandoned theater. This theater was once frequented by the sick individuals who were quarantined on the island, and it is said that their spirits still linger within its decaying walls.

The Haunted Theatre: One of the places that are said to be more haunted than other, is the theatre found on Isla de Pedrosa that are now not in use and just left abandoned.

Visitors to the theater have reported hearing disembodied voices and footsteps, as well as seeing apparitions moving across the stage. Some have even claimed to witness performances happening in the theater, despite its state of abandonment. The ghostly presence in the theater adds to the island’s eerie atmosphere, leaving visitors with an unforgettable experience.

The Bird Girls on Isla de Pedrosa

Another haunting legend of Isla de Pedrosa involves the so-called Bird Girls. These two sisters were said to have lived on the island during the time it served as a quarantine facility sometimes in the 1960s. They were born with a rare disease called progeria that made them somehow look like birds. 

This appearance led superstitious people to speculate that their conditions were caused by the devil himself.

The Strange Illnesses: After being used as a base for quarantine, they started to isolate children with strange diseases, like the Bird Girls. Here is a picture of Alfonso XIII visiting Isla de Pedrosa in 1914.

According to the legend, the Bird Girls were isolated from society and hidden away on the island and they tragically died very young, perhaps because of their affliction. Visitors to Isla de Pedrosa have reported seeing the ghostly figures of these sisters roaming the shores, their deformed bodies reminiscent of bird-like creatures. The presence of the Bird Girls adds a layer of mystery and intrigue to the island’s haunted reputation.

People Experiencing Paranormal Activity

There are plenty of people that claim to have experienced something paranormal on this island. A paranormal seeker named Anita Lauda claims to have seen spirits of children coming towards them accompanied by a nurse after an Ouija board session. 

Today’s Isla de Pedrosa

In present times, Isla de Pedrosa is mostly abandoned, with only a few buildings still in use. Some of these buildings now house juvenile prisoners and serve as a reintegration center. The island’s dark past and haunted reputation make it an eerie and unsettling place for those who reside there.

Despite its haunting atmosphere, Isla de Pedrosa continues to attract visitors curious about its mysterious history. People from all over the world come to explore the abandoned buildings and soak in the eerie ambiance that surrounds the island. Isla de Pedrosa serves as a reminder of the past and a testament to the power of legends and folklore.

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Cómo vivir la esencia de la fiesta medieval de San Fermín
Halloween: Spain’s most haunted places – The Local

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The White Child of Las Hurdes and other Haunted Stories from the Road

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Mysterious ghostly children in the middle of the road, red eyes chasing cars and other ghosts, the roads in Las Hurdes have it all. From a place in Spain that are particularly known for its dark legends and stories, there is especially one stretch of road that people say to avoid. 

Spain is renowned for its beautiful landscapes and ancient culture, but there are also some roads that are said to be haunted. These haunted roads can be incredibly dangerous at night, as many people have reported seeing mysterious hitchhikers and other strange phenomena.

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain

Driving down these haunted roads can be a frightening experience, as the stories of ghosts and spirits on the highway have been passed down from generation to generation. This article will explore some of the most notorious haunted roads in Spain, as well as the dangers they pose at night.

The Dark Legends of Las Hurdes

Because they do not know that there is a God/neither a world beyond this valley
– Las Batuecas del Duque de Alba, Lope de Vega

Aceitunilla: Classic architecture of Las Hurdes in Aceitunilla town where many of the ghost legends are from. //Source: Herrero Uceda/Wikimedia

Las Hurdes is a well known historical region in Spain and so are their ghost stories and dark legends of this remote place. Las Hurdes bordered with Sierra de Gata to the west, Sierra de Francia to the north and Trasierra/Tierras de Granadilla to the south. It is a relatively high mountain region with low population density landlocked in the Extremadura region on the border to Portugal.

Las Hurdes is a place filled with mystery and has dark legends surrounding it. It’s steeped in the macabre and dark stories that started circulating about the place as a backward and horrible place when a census about the place was written in the 16th century for the first time. 

According to this census, it used to be a remote, poor and isolated place with a horrible stench. The people living there lacked basic hygiene and suffered from birth defects from inbreeding and were barely human far from God in this godforsaken place in the middle of nowhere. 

Because of the remoteness there was little schooling and little church presence and it was said that old superstition prevailed in the area.

Even after all these years, the image of this remote area of Spain has stuck and Las Hurdes, and the entire region really has gotten a more haunted and dark reputation than the rest of sunny Spain.

The Haunted Road in Las Hurdes

There is a stretch of road in this landlocked region between the Hurdana farmhouse of Aceitunilla to Nuñomoral at EX-204. These old farmhouses are iconic for the region with their black roof and gray stone. 

According to the local stories about the place there are tales about the apparitions of women in period clothes with monstrous babies that are crying in the middle of the road. This baby, or babies, described as an unfinished fetus or an in between thing of a child and a fetus, is the most well known haunting of this place. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Haunted Roads all around the world.

There are also those who claim to have seen the ghost of children coming from the nearby cemeteries close to the road. 

The White Child of Las Hurdes

They call this phenomenon the white child of las Hurdes. It is always seen at night, when it is weeping and crying, but no one has figured out what the white child of las hurdes wants, and no one really knows what it is. 

The first time this phenomena was recorded was in 1870 when ten witnesses saw the thing on the roads. Since then, there have been at least twelve similar stories over the years. 

The child has been described as wearing what looks like an altar boy outfit with a white cloth reaching down to its feet, and there have even been stories where the ghosts have knocked on the nearby farmhouses doors. 

The Dangerous Roads of Las Hurdes

The White Child of Las Hurdes is apparently not the only thing haunting the roads around these parts. There are also those believing to have been chased by some red eye animal.  

So if you find yourself on these roads, beware, this is a haunted place and has been so for years. 

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References:

El niño blanco de Las Hurdes | Canal Extremadura
Las Hurdes – Wikipedia
Los 10 tramos de carretera más misteriosos de España

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The Ghost of Little Ottie on Bluff Mountain in the Appalachian Range

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It is said that the ghost of Little Ottie is said to haunt the wilderness of the Appalachian Trail after he tragically died on the freezing night on top of Bluff Mountain in Virginia. Hikers tell about the crying help from the little boy that just vanishes on the trail. 

Deep in the Appalachian Mountains, Bluff Mountain emerges as more than just a scenic wonder; it harbors a mystique that transcends the beauty of its rugged terrain. The Appalachian Trail is today one of the longest hiking paths in the world and runs through Virginia as well as 14 other states with over 2 million people wandering through it every year. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

There are many legends and stories about these parts on The Appalachian Trail, being an old and wild trail far from everything else. Some of the most talked about legends is the Snarly Yow Beast were people started to report seeing this wolf-like creature all along the Appalachian Trail, although most sightings occur in West Virginia.

There are also reports about strange disappearances of people that have taken a hike that are never heard about again. Some are found dead however, and one of these tragic victims is said to haunt the mountain where he died.

The Landscape of Bluff Mountain

Bluff Mountain, with its ancient forests and hidden valleys, exudes an aura of secrecy. Bluff Mountain is not the most impressive mountain to look at, but don’t be fooled as the path to the summit is long and steep. From a distance it looks like a forested ridge though. The dense canopy of trees and the winding trails that crisscross the landscape create an otherworldly atmosphere, making it a perfect canvas for the mysteries that have enshrouded the mountain for generations.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from Haunted Forests

On the top of the mountain a fire lookout tower was built in 1917, now called Tower Hill. Although the tower is now gone, just a stone throw away is a memorial of stones for the child that once got lost and died on the trail. 

The Legend of Ottie Cline Powell

The ghost said to show up on the trail on the mountain is the ghost of four year old, Ottie Cline Powell. He was the fifth child out of eight and grew up with his family on a farm near Dancing Creek close to Lexington in Virginia. And although he was said to have been a bright child, a child nonetheless and powerless against the freezing weather on top of a mountain.  

November 9 in 1891 Little Ottie went to school and together with his classmates in the one room school he was attending together with his siblings. At recess he was gathering firewood to keep the warmth in the classroom, it is even said he did so barefoot. When recess ended, he didn’t return with the other classmates and they started to look for him. All the locals marched through the woods in search of him. 

Time was of the essence here, as winter was coming, an ever looming threat. The week before the first snow had fallen and the day he disappeared ended with rain and a coming storm in the mountains. 

Several weeks went by, and although they searched for him, no trace of him was found. When winter came in full no one thought to search the mountain, because how would the little boy, just shy of his fifth birthday, climb it? 

It wasn’t until the following April hunters crossed the mountains on a side path to Bluff Mountain’s summit they found him after the snow had finally thawed. Their dogs kept barking and dragging the hunters to the remains of the little boy that had probably died from exposure already on his first night missing. 

Supernatural Forces at Bluff Mountain

Beyond the tangible realm, stories abound of supernatural forces that allegedly roam Bluff Mountain. Some claim to have heard disembodied whispers carried by the wind, while others report glimpses of shadowy figures moving between the trees. Most people seem to agree that the ghost haunting the trail is no body else than Little Ottie.

Some have even claimed to see the spirit of the blue eyed little boy with his fair complexion on the trail as well as in the forest around Bluff Mountain. And a hiker claimed that in 2009, it had to be the ghost of him that had folded his clothes when he spent the night on the trail. 

Hikers have also reported seeing a little boy seen close to the Punchbowl Trail Shelter whimpering and sometimes even asking for help before wandering away, still trying to find his way down the mountain. 

Because of the legends of the trail being haunted and that the little boy never found peace, hikers have now started to leave little things on his memorial, little toys to try to appease the spirit. Because although there are no reports about the spirit hurting anyone, perhaps they feel it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Memorial of Little Ottie: Source

The Haunted Appalachian Trail

As the mist settles on Bluff Mountain along the Appalachian Trail, and the last echoes of the day fade into the night, the haunting mysteries persist of Little Ottie who ended his days too soon on the mountain trail. Whether fueled by folklore or genuine supernatural occurrences, Bluff Mountain stands as a testament to the inexplicable forces that weave through the Appalachian Range. 

The next time you find yourself amidst the misty peaks and whispering woods of Bluff Mountain, remember that every rustle in the leaves and every gust of wind may carry with it a tale from the beyond, adding another chapter to the haunting legacy of this enigmatic Appalachian gem.

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References:

Ottie’s Bluff Mountain Monument Ghost Stories WereWoofs.com 

Emmet Powell, known as Ottie, was lost on Bluff Mountain. Now his ghost haunts the area. 

Bluff Mountain holds the mystery of the fate of 4-year-old Ottie Cline Powell | Cheryl E Preston | NewsBreak Original 

The Lonesome Death of Ottie Cline Powell – Blue Ridge Country 

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The Ghost of the Little Girl in Palacio de Linares

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The luxurious Palacio de Linares in Madrid is a splendid palace with a dark legend hanging over it. According to the ghost stories about this place there is the ghost of a small girl haunting the place after her parents murdered her to avoid a scandal to their reputation. 

Castles have always been a fascinating subject and have been an integral part of many cultures throughout the world. Some of them are famous for their beauty, while others are renowned for their history. Amongst them, the Spanish castle is one of the most talked-about places. The story of this place is filled with tales of ghosts and mysterious happenings that have kept people interested and afraid at the same time.

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain

In the heart of Madrid there is a grand mansion built between 1877 and 1900 at the Cibeles Square. Today it is the headquarters of La Casa America, but it used to belong to Jose de Murga y Reolid and Raimunda, who were the Marquises of Linares and some of the wealthiest people in Spain. 

The palace used to be known as the Murga Palace in its earlier days and was a luxurious place with only the finest things for the finest folk. Then the Spanish Civil War hit in the 1930s and as with many of the grand old houses, it became abandoned and had no one to take care of it.  

It was closed for almost a century and left almost to its own devices to decay and crumble under its own heavy history. It wasn’t until 1992 it opened again after a long and hard restoration job. 

The Marquise of Linares in the Palace

The Marquises of Linares got married and moved into the house in 1884 in their lavish home. The main staircase of Carrara marble and the ceilings decorated with gold and mythological paintings. There is exotic wood on the floors and French lamps lighting up, Chinese silk and art by famous painters. All this luxury, the gold and the glamor couldn’t hide the dark secret that would ruin them though. 

There was nothing that would suggest that this was nothing more than perfection. And the couple that made it together seemed to be the most in love, far from many of the other marriages that existed at that time. There was only one thought that no gold could save. According to the legend, they were in fact half-siblings and the truth of it made them mad. 

The Dark Legend of the The Marquise of Linares

Joseph of Murga and Reolid was the owner of the palace and he fell in love with Raimunda Osorio who was the daughter of a cigarette maker from Lavapies. That is what the legend says, but the truth is that the father of her is actually not that certain. It really could be anyone, even the one mentioned in the legend. 

Joseph’s father was the wealthy businessman Mateo Murga y Michelena and their family had gained a massive fortune from their businesses in Cuba and because of the railways that was all the rage and where the money could be made. He was an educated man and by his height the richest man in Spain with a bright life ahead of him.  

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories set in Haunted Castles and Fortresses

When his son told about his love, the father was horrified for some reason. Was it her simple status? Her personality or family background? Something else? Without further explanation Joseph was sent to London to study to remove him from the woman. His father hoped that time would make him forget his first love and come back a changed man with a changed heart. 

Joseph never forgot about her though and married her in 1858, and if the legend holds any truth, they are lucky his father wasn’t alice. His father passed away the year before and among his things, there was a letter that told the truth about why he had been so against the two. Apparently He had an affair with Raimunda’s mother and that she was in fact his daughter, and Joseph’s sister. 

When the two newlyweds finally knew the truth, their dreams of a happy marriage came crashing down as there was no way they could ignore this bit of information. They knew that they couldn’t be parted though, as one, they still loved each other, and two, there was no way out, they were already married.  

Because of this predicament they found themselves in, they decided to ask Pope Pius IX for a papal bull called Casti Conviere. That document would legitimize them living together in the eyes of God and the catholic church despite the truth, although they were supposed to live in chastity. 

Their love had gone too far though, and according to the legend, they gave birth to a daughter. To avoid further scandal, they had her murdered in silence without anyone knowing of her existence and her body is said to be somewhere inside of the palace. 

The wife was the first to go in 1976 and he died only five months later. Gossip say that he shot himself although the official chronicles says it was a serious lung condition. 

Although their final testament claims they died without any children, the legend says otherwise. According to tumors there is a dollhouse inside of the palace, and it is said it belonged to their daughter. 

It is said that the daughter, often called Raimunda, is haunting the fine palace to this day. She can be seen walking the halls of the palace as she sings nursery rhymes, almost like living through her childhood she never got to have. She is also heard calling out for her parents that cast her aside. 

The Truth to the Rumors

Were they in fact siblings? Did they have a daughter they ended up murdering? There have been no evidence and many that have tried to refute the rumors, there are also those that keep the legend alive. 

Especially the part where the palace is haunted to this day by their daughter they got rid of to escape scandal. The palace is mentioned on most haunted houses lists in Spain all the same, whatever the truth really is.

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José de Murga y Reolid – Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

Palacio de Linares – Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

Road trip through the gloomiest haunted houses in Spain

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Charleville Castle and the Mystical Ley Lines and Haunting Ghosts

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Some castles have all of the classical signs for hauntings. This is the case with the gothic Charleville Castle built on Ley Lines from druid times. On the estate is a cursed tree and ghosts from those that lived and worked at Charleville Castle are still haunting grounds.

In the heart of County Offaly in Ireland, looming within the ancient embrace of a dense forest, is Charleville Castle. This gothic fortress was a place where Lord Byron was said to have hosted many parties as well as being the home for many ghosts. 

In the early 17th century, a mansion stood where the castle was built, originally belonging to Thomas Moore from 1641. The castle was completed in 1812 and said to be one of the best examples of gothic revival in Ireland by the Earl of Charlesville and his wife. The castle’s story took a sinister turn in 1912 when it was forsaken, left to the echoes of forgotten footsteps for more than half a century. 

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Ireland

It wasn’t until 1973 that the first tentative steps toward its revival were taken by the steadfast hands of restoration of the then ruins of the once great castle. Today, The Charleville Castle Heritage Trust tends to its spectral halls and enigmatic chambers, for this castle is more than just stone and mortar—it’s a living, breathing enigma.

The Occult Earl of Charlesville

It is said that the Earl of Charlesville was dabbling in the occult, and if this is true, it might explain where he decided to build his holiday residence as the castle first was. 

Built upon the convergence of ley lines, enshrouded by forests where ancient druids of pagan times once conducted mysterious rites, it is no wonder that Charleville Castle has earned the reputation of being one of Ireland’s most paranormally active haunts.

The Mysterious Ley Lines

Ley lines are straight alignments connecting various historic structures, prehistoric sites, and landmarks. This concept emerged in early 20th-century Europe, suggesting that ancient societies intentionally erected structures along these lines. Some believers argue that ley lines mark “earth energies” and even guide alien spacecraft, but archaeologists and scientists consider ley lines as pseudoarchaeology and pseudoscience.

Ley hunters practiced dowsing, numerology, and believed in a forthcoming transformative Age of Aquarius. Despite their enthusiasm, they failed to provide scientific evidence for earth energies at prehistoric sites.

Amid sustained archaeological criticism, the ley hunter community declined in the 1990s, with some proponents shifting toward landscape archaeology and folkloristics. However, belief in ley lines persists in esoteric religious groups, including some forms of modern Paganism. Archaeologists emphasize that there is no evidence of ley lines being recognized by ancient European societies and that the connections often involve structures from different historical eras. Skeptics highlight that the concept of earth energies remains unverified by science, relying on faith for its adherents.

The Mysterious King Oak Tree

Although there is no proof that it is the Ley Lines that makes the place a mystical one that brings out the paranormal, there are many that claim this is one of the reasons for the haunted rumors, as well as some other legends found on the property.

Read More: Check out all of the Haunted Castle’s from around the world

There is also a mysterious Oak Tree outside in the woods at the old estate of Charleville Castle called The King Oak. It is said to be over 800 years old and is said to be connected to the Bury family that have a long connection to the castle as the Earls of Charleville.

According to the legends, just before a male member of the family is about to die, the tree will drop a branch or get struck by lightning. In 1963 the tree was struck by lightning, splitting the main trunk from top to bottom and causing the loss of at least one branch. The tree survived but Colonel Charles Howard-Bury, the explorer and last member of the Bury family line died a few weeks afterwards.

The King Oak: At the entrance of the castle grounds, the old Oak Tree is planted with a mysterious connection to the family. //Source: Michelle/Flickr

The Ghost of Harriet at Charleville Castle

Within these eerie confines, the ghost of an eight-year-old girl named Harriet resides. In 1861, Lady Harriet Bury embarked on a fateful descent down the castle’s grand staircase, by sliding down the banister. She lost her grip and met her tragic end on the stone floor below, breaking her neck and died. 

More than a century later, in the dead of night, two trustees working at Charleville Castle woke at the ghostly hour of 3 am. A spectral voice, haunting yet sweet, pierced the silence, followed by a blood-curdling scream. Fearful that an intruder had breached their sanctuary, one went to investigate. No living soul had entered the castle. 

The Ghost: There are many ghosts residing in the castle if we are to take the rumours at face value. One of them is supposedly a little girl that died after falling from the stairs. //Source: Matt McKnight/Flickr

Despite the grisly nature of her passing, Harriet’s spirit seems to harbor no malice. She manifests herself from time to time, a vision in blue and white, playing on the very stairs that stole her life away. Eerie echoes of her laughter and the melodious notes of her songs have graced the ears of visitors. 

It is said she is not alone though, as the spirit of her uncle, Henry Walter is also said to haunt the place. He died of influenza when he was only 7 in London. He was brought back to Ireland and buried in the family vault. 

The Green Mist

For those spending the nights at Charleville Castle, reports of a sinister green mist materializing from the very fabric of a bedroom wall have left guests trembling and in the same room, one unfortunate person was mysteriously locked out, then inexplicably trapped inside, with neither key nor a person to blame.

There was also one time a man stayed in the room with his girlfriend after a party. When he turned to her, he didn’t see his tall dark haired girlfriend, but an older blonde woman. 

The Octagon Room

There are tales of mysterious monks walking the house and other dark shadows lurking in the corners and in the forsaken dungeons, where tortured souls suffered in the early 19th century, manic laughter and disembodied voices continue to reverberate through the stillness.

One that stayed in the castle recalls eerie noises and an ethereal light dancing on the floor above while they stayed in the Octagon Room—yet there was no one to cast such a glow, and the area lacked electricity. Another volunteer speaks of a distinct knock upon their door at the unholy hour of 1:30 am, with the rest of the castle asleep soundly. 

A Stay at the Haunted Charleville Castle

Charleville Castle remains a magnet for seekers of the supernatural, a place where psychics and paranormal enthusiasts converge, eager to unlock the castle’s darkest mysteries. Within its formidable stone walls, the past and present entwine, and the echoes of history speak of restless spirits who refuse to fade into the shadows.

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References:

Featured Image: IrishFireside/Flickr

Charleville Castle | Haunted Offaly, Ireland | Spirited Isle 

‘She broke her neck, it’s very tragic’ – The haunting of Charleville Castle 

Charleville Castle Ghosts, Ireland – Folklore, Deaths and the Paranormal 

Charleville Castle – Wikipedia Haunted Offaly

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Móðir mín í kví, kví — The Icelandic Ghost Haunting the Mother

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When collecting folktales from Iceland, they encountered many tales about the ghost of children left by their mothers to die, an útburður, that came back to haunt their mothers. This is what the Icelandic ghost story Móðir mín í kví, kví or Dear Mother in a Pen, Pen is about. 

Móðir mín í kví, kví means the Dear Mother in the Pen, Pen, and is one of Iceland’s most well known ghost stories, and also the base for the most horrifying lullaby children have gone to sleep with. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Iceland

The Folktale of Móðir mín í kví, kví

Once there was a young girl living on a farm with a want for life, dancing, singing and partying. She was unmarried and poor though and became pregnant with a man that had no plans of taking her as his wife. When she gave birth she decided to carry the child and put it outside to die. She carried the child out in her shawl or veil, sometimes retold it was only a rag. 

After it was all over and done with, she attended a vikivaki celebration with singing and dancing a ritual circle dance during the church holidays, something the girl loved. She got the invitation, but had nothing to wear for the occasion. So she didn’t go and was sorry to be sitting at home. 

Just before the dance, the girl was milking sheep with another woman and complained to her that she had nothing to wear. As soon as she said it out loud they heard a voice from under the wall of the pen: 

Icelandic:
“Móðir mín í kví, kví,
kvíddu ekki því, því;
ég skal ljá þér duluna mína
að dansa í
og dansa í.”

English:
“Dear mother, in a pen, a pen,
do not worry about it because, because
I’ll lend you my rag
to dance in
and dance in. “

In Icelandic ghost stories, the ghost often repeat the last word in the sentence as in this short verse. She knew the message was to her, and she knew it was a ghost, talking about the single piece of clothing she had left the child out to die in. She was so shaken up after hearing her dead child reciting the words to her and she went insane for the rest of her life. 

The útburður Ghost in Icelandic Folktales

In Icelandic as well as Scandinavian ghost stories, people sometimes encounter an útburður or an utburd. They were ghosts of children that were put outside to die. Either the child was unwanted because it was born outside of wedlock, or the parents didn’t have the means to raise it. 

útburðr: The ghost in Móðir mín í kví, kví is an utburd, found in many variations in Scandinavian folklore. The Swedish call them Myling, and Utburd or útburðr in Norwegian and Icelandic. They can remind of the English Changeling creature.

When Scandinavians were pagans, this was a practice that wasn’t a crime. Even when the pagans on Iceland turned Christian, this was something that they continued to have as a permitted custom until the 11th century. In fact, to have the child would be punished with fines or even death. 

The children turned into ghosts, sometimes just to torment their mother, sometimes because they couldn’t enter heaven because they weren’t baptized. 

You could hear them crying, and they were believed to have been bad omens. 

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Íslenzkar þjóðsögur og æfintýri/Draugasögur/Móðir mín í kví, kví (2) – Wikiheimild Dear Mother, in the pen, pen – Icelandic Child Ghost Story | Your Friend in Reykjavik

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The Ghosts Children Begging in Bramber

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Dressed in rags in the cold Christmas season, the ghost of the children from the haunted Bramber Castle haunts the roads, begging for food as they starved to death on the King’s order. This is the eerie Christmas tale of The Ghosts Children Begging in Bramber. 

It has always been said that the English are obsessed with ghosts and other mysterious happenings, and this is especially true at Christmas time. With old castles and lordly manors dotting the country there are more than enough haunted places for stories to come alive. 

Read more about: Christmas Hauntings Ghost Stories of Christmas Hauntings from the world, but mostly England.

England is filled with tales of Christmas hauntings, where ghosts roam about the old buildings telling their stories of days gone by. This is also the case about the horrible and tragic legend of The Ghosts Children Begging in Bramber.

The Ruins of the Bramber Castle

For centuries Bramber in Sussex, England was owned by the powerful de Braose family who were lords of Bramber and had their seat at Bramber Castle that dates back to 1070 overlooking the River Adur. 

The ruins of Bramber Castle: Part of the remains of Bramber Castle.//Source: Marathon/Wikimedia

The House of Braose was a prominent family of Anglo-Norman nobles that grew powerful under King John in particular. 
Now there are only ruins left of the Bramber Castle with only the Gatehouse Tower remaining, and the Bramber family are only ghosts. A white horse without a rider has been seen many times, but the place is mostly remembered for its annual Christmas hauntings of starving and bony children begging for food. 

The Lord that fell out of the King’s Favour

In the early 13th century, William was the 4th Lord of Bramber. This Lord of Bramber is Infamous for the Christmas Day Massacre of Welsh Princes at Abergavenny Castle in 1175. Under the pretense of peace and ending the year with a new start, he lured three Welsh Princes and Welsh leaders to their death as they were seated for the feast in the Great Hall. 

He was even so cruel, he hunted down one of their sons and slaughtered him in cold blood so there would be no one from the bloodline claiming the right to their fathers claim in Wales. The child was seven years old, and one can wonder if he was thinking of his children that would share a similar fate. 

Because of this, he was hated by the Welsh and was called the Ogre of Abergavenny. 

He fell out with King John. Why is a bit of a mystery, but many said his lavish lifestyle upset the King who envied him. Perhaps he grew too powerful? Perhaps he grew to hate the country by all of his massacres and scheming.   

The King followed the Lord of Bramer all over the country as well as Ireland and Wales to make an example out of him to the other Barons. His lands, his castle as well as his entire family were seized and handed over to the crown in 1208. 

The Starved Children on the Roads in Bramber

According to the legends of The Ghosts Children Begging in Bramber, William’s children were held as hostages by the king at Windsor Castle, or in some version of the story, Corfe Castle. But no one came to free them and they ended up starving to death in captivity. How many of them is unclear in the legends. In historical data though, it seems like it was the younger William who was held with his mother and starved to death. 

Read also: Another castle that claims you can hear the sound of starving children is in the Corfe Castle were it is also said they were held:. 

The Ghosts Children Begging in Bramber

According to the local legend though, the children finally returned to Bramber, even if it was as ghosts. The Ghosts Children Begging in Bramber allegedly haunt the road of Bramber Village in the dark, all dressed in nothing but rags as they run after people passing by trying to get food. 

Every Christmas, a boy and a girl of the ghost siblings are seen as they watch in sorrow the ruins of their former home, Bramber Castle, now in ruins. Their father was massacred on Christmas and they died because of his actions. Now, the season is time for them to return to their home and haunt as they die, starving. 

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Haunted Castles Type: Best Sorted by Country

Nightmare before Christmas: The history of festive ghost stories

Bramber Castle | English Heritage

NOSTALGIA: Ancient echoes of the Ogre of Abergavenny’s atrocities | SussexWorld

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The Hauntings The Waldniel Hostert School

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At the The Waldniel Hostert School, a former school and Nazi Institute bears a tragic story and the ghosts of so many of the mentally disabled children that were murdered during the War. 

Kent School, or as it was known back in the day, The Waldniel Institute was a school with a tragic backstory and is said to have left a haunted expression on the building. 

When The Waldniel Hostert School was operating as a secondary school for children of military personnel it was a boarding school as well as a day school. The school was open from 1963 to 1986 and one of several schools operated by the Service Children’s Education organization, catering to the children of the British Armed Forces. 

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Germany

At its peak The Waldniel Hostert School housed over 6000 students at one point. The gothic appearance of the school made the British nicknamed Colditz after the war camp in East Germany. 

From the students there were rumors about what had happened here before, as it was the site where the Nazis murdered countless of mentally disabled children as a part of their racial purification program. 

And among the rumors, they started talking about seeing and hearing those unfortunate children in the form of ghosts, still lingering within the compound of their old school.

The Horror School

Before The Waldniel Hostert School was a school it was a monastery operated by monks since the 14th century. 

The school was first a Franciscan priory called St. Josefsheim was built in 1913 by the Order of the Franciscans of the Holy Cross. Here they housed mentally handicapped children and around 600 mentally and physically disabled people lived in the monastery. 

In 1937, it closed its doors and the last of the brothers left the house on 23rd May, and it would no longer be the safe haven for the disabled as it had been up to then.

From then on the The Waldniel Hostert School was operated by the Nazis. They called it The Waldniel Institute. The nationalists had a different philosophy about whose life was worth anything than the Franciscan monks had, and the mentally handicapped were far down on that list. 

In 1939 there was a law that every disabled newborn had to be reported to the government. And during the war they put a race purification program to rid themselves of these children. The program ended up killing more than 200 000 people and St Josefsheim, now The Waldniel Institute, was not spared.

The Waldniel Institute was a place that was part of their child euthanasia programme and at least 30 children were murdered within its walls, and more than 500 patients were reported dying. The rest of the over 1000 people living there were transported to other institutions where many of them met their death as well.  

After the war, the building was given back to the brotherhood, but they sold it to the Allies as they no longer could operate as they had used to. 

The Waldniel Hostert School After the War

The Allies took over the country and The Waldniel Institute where these horrific crimes had been committed. They removed the traces of the program and turned it into a secondary school for their children that would end up being Kent School. 

While they renovated the school they uncovered human remains of the patients who had died and were killed when the Nazis ran their institute. 

There are many stories about the haunted stuff happening at the school. They say the children are heard weeping from the corridors where they wander restlessly, fearful of the horrendous end they met with. 

At the end of the Cold War The Waldniel Hostert School closed its door for good in 1993 and handed the building back to the German authorities.

Today The Waldniel Hostert School is privately owned, but abandoned. 

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Featured Picture: Christian Stol/wikimedia

Kent School St. Josefsheim – Abandoned and Lost Places