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Agnes Sampson — The Wise Wife of Keith

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The story of the ghost of Agnes Sampson, known as The Wise Wife of Keith in Scotland is a story where a simple midwife was accused of witchcraft so powerful she caused a storm trying to kill her own queen. 

Agnes Sampson was a Scottish healer and a purported witch. Sampson was born in the village of Kirktoun, East Lothian in Scotland and worked as a midwife. She was believed to have healing powers long before she was accused of being a witch. 

She became known as the Wise Wife of Keith and was involved in the North Berwick trials that happened during the 16th century, one of Scotland’s most notorious witchcraft trials. Agnes Sampson is also known for being one of the main accused at this trial. 

There were and still are many tales about who Agnes Sampson really was. Some of them are true tales, some tall tales. She is said to have been married three times, once to William Keith with whom she had two children. She is also said to have been married to two other men and had 14 children with each man. 

So how did this simple midwife become the center of a conspiracy of witches trying to sink the ships belonging to their new queen and threatening her own King? To find out we have to travel across the pond to the court in Denmark-Norway and their fear of black magic and a series of unfortunate events on the sea. 

The King as the Judge: Suspected witches with Agnes Sampson kneeling before King James VI from the book Daemonologie (1597). He himself oversaw the trial and ended up sentencing many to be burnt as witches.

The Storm of Contrary Winds

By the autumn of 1590, Scotland was deep into witch hunts, and many of those sent to trial were questioned by the King himself. Today, the city of Edinburgh and the rest of the country is riddled with the memory of those who were burnt at the stake as a witch. King James VI, the son of Mary, Queen of Scots had just returned from Denmark-Norway where he had married Anne of Denmark who was only 14 at their wedding. 

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The Danish court at this time was extremely wary of all things black magic and witchcraft. The fear of demons and witches had tightened the European continent and it was probably a fear that the Scottish King James adapted and brought back as well after spending time there. 

The King of Scotland was impatient awaiting his bride from Denmark to cross the seas after the wedding to stay by his side, but on her voyage to Scotland the fleet experienced heavy storms and ended up starting not only one, but two major witch trials that ended in several executions.  

A Series of Unfortunate Events

So how did a simple midwife like Agnes Sampson get accused of something that happened all the way over in Denmark? To this we have to go through the Danish court and the witch trials that happened there before it started in Scotland. 

Peder Munk of Estvadgård was a Danish navigator, politician and ambassador and in charge of carrying the fleet of 18 ships with Anne of Denmark to Scotland to bring her to her throne by her King. They set out on their voyage in 1589 from Copenhagen and were riddled with bad fortune, taking years to reach their final destination.

First they had to stop in a port in Norway to repair a leaking ship and had to stay there for a very long time, on their way to a very impatient king. When they reached The River Forth in central Scotland a ferry boat collided with one of the vessels in a storm and all of the passengers drowned. This was all attributed to witchcraft. 

Back in Denmark, the navigator Peder Munk blamed it all on witchcraft, especially on a certain woman whom he had insulted and believed to be the main witch behind the storms. This became the beginning of the Copenhagen witch trials, which ended in executing 17 people by burning. 

This inspired the King to hold his own trials, and it would be known as the North Berwick Witch Trials, and Agnes SAmpson was one of the main accused. 

Accused of Witchcraft

More than a hundred suspects were arrested in North Berwick, several of them confessed during torture and named other people. Agnes Sampson was accused by Gillis Duncan, another one of the accused. 

Duncan was really the one that linked the other accused of causing the storms that ended up sinking the Queens ships. She worked as a servant and confessed after torture that she was a witch and there were several more. The reason she was accused herself was that she was far too skilled of a healer in her master David Seton’s mind who also thought that Duncan had been sneaking out at night. 

Agnes Sampson ended up being one of the more significant accused persons, as an elderly and respected woman that had healed more than one in the local area. Many attributed their good health to her good work. Now, they all turned on her because of the rumors and her unfortunate circumstances. The fact that she was a widow with children and acted as an independent woman and educated midwife was a part of the indictment against her. She had also been accused of witchcraft and investigated before. 

Witches Sabbath: According to the accusers, Agnes Keith and the rest of her witch coven had met up and created a storm to keep a ship from Denmark arriving to Scotland, carrying Anne of Denmark.

The Wise Wife of Keith was imprisoned and put to torture for a long time before saying anything. She started off refusing to confess at first, but after a long time in the dark and in pain, she as the rest of the accused gave up. 

In the end she was brought before King James VI himself and a council of nobles at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Sampson denied all the charges, but they kept torturing her until she said otherwise. Her head and body hair were shaved and she was pinned to the wall of her cell with a witches bridle. This was a torture instrument with four sharp prongs pressed into the mouth, meant to humiliate as well as hurt the ones wearing them. 

She was forced to stay awake with no sleep in her cell with a rope around her head, always reminded just how close to death she really was. And in the end, how freeing that prospect must have seen compared to the torture she went through. 

Finally, after all that torture, Agnes Sampson confessed to whatever they asked of her in front of her own king who oversaw the trial. In all she confessed to 53 indictments against her, including attending a Sabbat she led and that she was indeed a witch with supernatural power she used to harm others with. 

According to her testimony, she ended up saying she made a charm that caused a storm that ended up drowning Jane Kennedy. She sank a dead cat with parts of a dead man into the sea near Leith. The same charm she used to threaten the King and his wife on her voyage. 

In League with the Devil: Depiction of the Devil giving magic puppets to witches, from Agnes Sampson trial and North Berwick Witch Trials where she and many others ended up being burnt as witches in 1591.

It was her last testimony that was her downfall in the King’s eyes. In it, she disclosed things he and his wife had on their wedding night in Oslo. A conversation she had no way of knowing:

“Item, the said Agnes Sampson confessed before the Kings Majesty sundry things which were so miraculous and strange, as that his Majesty said they were all extreme liars, whereat she answered, she would not wish his Majesty to suppose her words to be false, but rather to believe them, in that she would discover such matter unto him as his majesty should not any way doubt of. And thereupon taking his Majesty a little aside, she declared unto him the very words which passed between the Kings Majesty and his Queen at Oslo in Norway the first night of their marriage, with their answer each to other: whereat the Kings Majesty wondered greatly, and swore by the living God, that he believed that all the Devils in hell could not have discovered the same: acknowledging her words to be most true, and therefore gave the more credit to the rest which is before declared.”

— News from Scotland

Execution and Haunting

King James was allegedly not completely convinced of Agnes Sampson guilt until her last confession. After it however he changed his mind and sent her to be burned. On 28th of January 1591 she was taken to the scaffold on Castlehill where she was garroted before being burnt at the stake. 

Although the exact numbers of the executions are hard to be certain of, it is estimated that around 1500 people were killed as witches by the state of Scotland during this time. 

Agnes Sampson’s naked ghost is said to roam the castle grounds, bald headed roaming around the Palace of Holyroodhouse. 

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Unraveling the Mysteries of the Haunted Château de Châteaubriant

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Step into an ancient castle filled with darkness and stories that will send shivers up your spine of murder and ghosts. Inside the old Château de Châteaubriant there are tales of ghost processions on October 16.

Step into the eerie and mysterious Château de Châteaubriant, a magnificent 15th century castle and one of France’s most haunted sites. Enter its dark and imposing halls originally constructed as a defense against Anjou and the Kingdom of France, laden with dark secrets, to experience an unforgettable journey through time. Learn about its chilling legends, hidden secrets, and unsettling specters that linger in the shadows.

History of the Château de Châteaubriant

The Château de Châteaubriant was first constructed in the 11th century, but was heavily modified during the Renaissance which the architecture bears marks of. 

It was taken over by the French during the Mad War after a siege. Over the centuries, it changed hands many times – from its aristocratic owners, to prisoners of war during the revolution, and back again. 

Château de Châteaubriant: drawn by artist Victor Petit in 1871. Already at this point the history of Château de Châteaubriant was old and steeped in legend . It is also said that ghost are walking the halls of the castle every year on October 16th.

Sybille the Shocked Ghost

One of the most famous legends behind the Château de Châteaubriant’s rumored hauntings is that of Sybille, wife of Geoffroy IV. 

Geoffroy IV of Châteaubriant went on crusade to the holy land in the 1250s with King Saint Louis where he was jailed in Egypt after the battle of Mansourah and the entire French army was destroyed by the plague. His death was announced to the Châteaubriant and his wife. 

Sybille, often named Sibylle de la Guerche de Candé started to mourn the death of her dead husband. He wasn’t dead however, and was released from prison and returned to his home and wife a couple of months later. When Sybille saw him again, she fell into his arms and died of the shock. 

She is said to haunt the Château de Châteaubriant at times, but the real haunting is said to be done by the infamous Françoise de Foix, the main mistress of the King of France that did not bear the same loyalty to her husband as Sybille.

The Ghost of Françoise de Foix

In addition to Sybille and other ghosts that are said to haunt Châteaubriant, many also believe in the spirit of Françoise de Foix. She was a tall and dark haired woman that spoke both Latin and Italian as well as writing her own poetry. All of her attributes made her a well sought after woman, and even the King wanted her. 

She was engaged to Jean de Laval, count of  Châteaubriant in 1505 with support of the king and queen Anne de Bretagne and Louis XII. They formally married in 1509 and lived at Château de Châteaubriant.There was a shift in the royals and the new king, Francis I, summoned Jean de Laval to court for his help in 1516. 

Françoise de Foix followed him and became the lady in waiting for Queen Claude de France as well as becoming the chief mistress to King Francis I. At official events she was placed near to the royal princesses, signifying that she was La mye du roi, or the Sweetheart of the King to the rest of the court.

Jean de Laval was sent to fight in the Italian Wars and became Governor of Brittany in 1531. He was aware of the affair but seemed unaffected by it all when his wife remained the King’s mistress for over a decade.

Françoise de Foix was rejected from court in 1525 when the young and blonde Anne de Pisseleu d’Heilly caught the King’s attention and affection. Because of this, she returned to Châteaubriant to live with her husband. 

Killed by her husband Jean de Laval

She died on 16th of October in 1537, most likely of sickness are we to believe some. There is however a different theory. It is said that her husband killed her. 

Read also: This is not the only story of a ghost haunting a French castle after a woman was killed by her husband: The Prisoner of Château de Puymartin

Jean de Laval, also known as John III of Laval-Châteaubriant was according to legend, an incredibly bloodthirsty baron who killed anyone who opposed him and ruthlessly tortured his enemies. 

It is said that he shut his wife in a dark and padded cell and had her killed because of her relationship with the king or something else entirely. Some even think that he locked her up and poisoned her or bled her to death slowly.

The Assassination of Françoise de Foix: The legend of her death are widespread and depicted in art. Here from a book from 1816 by Augustine Gottis.

Ghost Procession at Midnight

Some say they can still hear her weeping within the walls of Châteaubriant and others have even seen her standing near windows or atop towers in traditional 16th-century dress, but perhaps she is best known to appear in the ghost procession on her death anniversary.

Ever since then, there have been a ghost procession in the Château de Châteaubriant in honor of her death on October 16 of monks and knights slowly ascending the main stairs before vanishing. Her ghost is said to come back for this night as the procession begins at the stroke of midnight. 

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Françoise de Foix — Wikipédia 

Château de Châteaubriant – Wikipedia

Les fantômes sont des choses qui arrivent – chateau-chateaubriant

Le château de Châteaubriant et la légende de Sibylle

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The Mysterious Legends of Hellfire Club on Montpelier Hill

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An old gentleman’s club became the center of satanic gossip and tales of animal and human sacrifices. The old lodge on Montpelier Hill is now mostly known for being the meeting place for the infamous Hellfire Club. 

For centuries, the Hellfire Club on Montpelier Hill in Dublin has remained one of Ireland’s most haunted destinations, shrouded in mystery and surrounded by legends. This infamous hunting lodge, perched atop the Dublin Mountains, has been the site of countless tales of ghostly apparitions, satanic rituals, and otherworldly encounters. 

Despite its dark past, the Hellfire Club continues to draw in visitors from all over the world, curious to explore its eerie corridors and uncover the secrets hidden within its walls. From the notorious tales of the devil himself appearing in the guise of a nobleman to the chilling accounts of ghostly voices and unexplained noises, the Hellfire Club is a place that has fascinated and terrified people for generations. 

The Ancient Cairn of Standing Stones

The Hellfire Club is a ruined hunting lodge located on the summit of Montpelier Hill in the Dublin Mountains. Built in 1725, it was originally used as a hunting lodge by William Conolly, a wealthy politician and landowner. However, its association with the Irish Hellfire  Club, a notorious secret society of wealthy and influential men, has given it a dark and sinister reputation.

It used to be an ancient grave with a cairn of stones on the top of the Montpelier Hill. When Conolly built his hunting lodge there it is said he destroyed the cairn and used one of the standing stones as the lintel for his fireplace. 

Later the roof of the lodge was blown off during a storm and the locals were sure it was because of the destruction of the cairn. They believed that it had angered the spirits and they were seeking revenge. This was only the start of the many legends and tales that were told about the place. 

Introducing Hellfire Club

After Conolly died the lodge was sold and said to be the meeting place for the much talked about Irish Hellfire Club. One of these clubs was founded in 1735 by Richard Parson who was known for dabbling in black magic. 

The Hellfire Club Members: The Hellfire Club were originally a gentlemens club of the rich and powerful, and many thought they also dabbled in dark magic. Here are the Dublin club in 1735 ca. with Henry Barry, Col. Henry Clements, Col. Henry Ponsonby, Col. Richard St. George and Simon Luttrel.

The Hellfire Club is said to have been the site of many debauched and sacrilegious activities, including black masses, orgies, and even human sacrifice. It is also rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of those who died during these rituals, as well as the spirits of those who suffered at the hands of the Hellfire Club’s members.

The History of Hellfire Club

The history of the Hellfire Club is a murky one, shrouded in myth and legend. According to some accounts, the club was founded in the early 18th century by a group of wealthy and influential men who were interested in the occult and other taboo subjects. They are said to have held secret meetings and conducted bizarre rituals at the Hellfire Club, which was then known as the Montpelier Lodge.

There were several clubs like these across England and Ireland, and many well known names throughout time have been connected to it. Whether it was merely a club for drinking and gambling or a satanic cult with hellish rituals is uncertain, but it certainly was an exclusive men’s club for the rich and privileged with too much time on their hands.

One true story is when one of the members, Baron Barry of Santry, set one of his servants on fire by pouring brandy on him and lighting him on fire. He was used to pay people for their silence, but this case was taken to trial and convicted of this and stabbing another servant to death. He was protected by his powerful friends though and spent the rest of his life in England. The secret club ended up in the public eye though, and none of the stories were good ones. 

Legends and myths surrounding Montpelier Hill

The Hellfire Club is steeped in legend and myth, with many tales of supernatural occurrences and otherworldly encounters. One of the most famous legends concerns the appearance of the devil himself at the club. 

Montpelier Hill: Here from the hunting lodge at Montpelier Hill in Dublin, were the Hellfire Club had meetings and many of the stories of dark rituals and the likes comes from. //Source: Joe King/Wikimedia

According to this story, the devil appeared at the club in the guise of a nobleman and was invited to play cards with the members. During the game, one of the players dropped a card on the floor and, when he went to retrieve it, saw that the devil had cloven hooves instead of feet. This tale has become one of the most enduring legends associated with the Hellfire  Club.

This legend follows the same plot as the haunted ghost story from Loftus Hall, another of Ireland’s most haunted places. 

The Farmer Witnessing the Dark Rituals

Many of the legends are about what happens when the locals and the lower class witnesses what they are up to in the lodge. It never ends in anything but misery for those who seeks them out. 

One time, a young farmer was said to be curious about what went on in the club and decided to climb up Montepelier Hill to uncover their secrets. He was invited in by the members and the next day he was found terrified and trembling. 

For the rest of his life the unfortunate farmer was unable to speak, wouldn’t tell what he saw at the Hellfire Club and couldn’t even remember his own name. 

The Black Cat Sacrifice

Another story goes that a young man was found dead after he tried to uncover what went on in the club. His local priest and the young man’s host believed he was murdered and decided to investigate the matter. 

When they arrived at the lodge, they saw a huge banquet and a huge cat in the room with its ears shaped like horns. The priest carried a bottle of holy water and tried to perform an exorcism on the creature. 

Why the cat was there is not certain. In some versions, it was some sort of beast, in other versions, the cat was going to become a sacrifice in one of The Hellfire Clubs satanic rituals. 

He managed to kill the beast with holy water, but outside was the host laying dead on the ground, his face and neck scratched by claws. 

This particular legend is also connected to the Dower House that is further down the hill. The Hellfire Club is said to have started to hold meetings there after a fire damaged the original hunting lodge.

The Fire and Decline of the Hellfire Club

During a certain period, the building in question suffered damage from a fire, and there are various stories associated with this event. One account suggests that the club deliberately set fire to the building when William Conolly’s son declined to renew the lodge’s lease. Another tale proposes that the club members ignited the fire to create a sinister and eerie appearance for the building.

Additionally, there are some that claim that the house was damaged when the servant was set fire to. This allegedly happened during a black mass where a footman accidentally spilled a drink on “Burn-Chapel” Whaley’s coat. In retaliation, Whaley doused the man with brandy, causing him to catch fire. The fire subsequently spread throughout the building, resulting in the deaths of several members. Following the fire, the club moved to a new location, the Killakee Dower House further down the hill. Nevertheless, the club’s activities dwindled after this incident.

The Endurance of The Legends of the Hellfire Club

The Hellfire Club remains one of Ireland’s most haunted destinations, steeped in mystery and surrounded by legends. Despite its dark past, it continues to draw in visitors from all over the world, curious to explore its eerie ruins and uncover the secrets hidden within its walls. 

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Featured Image: Joe King/Wikimedia

Supernatural Dublin – The Hellfire Club 

Montpelier Hill – Wikipedia 

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The Strange Haunting of the Strange Sagrada Familia Church

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Sagrada Familia Church is perhaps the most well known landmark in Barcelona, Spain. It was designed by the renowned architect Gaudi and strange things started to happen after his death. It is still unfinished and people have talked about the peculiar church and the strange things that seems to go on there ever since.

Spain is known for its rich history of architecture and fascinating landmarks. Among these landmarks is a haunted church that catches the attention of many tourists. The church is known for its dark history and the fact that it is haunted by a ghost that has been lingering there for many years. The eerie stories about this church have fascinated many people around the world, making it a popular spot for thrill-seekers and paranormal enthusiasts.

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

The strange church with gothic and art nouveau curves, eccentric spires and attracts huge numbers of tourists every year. The design of the church is a controversial one and keeps inviting strange legends and mysteries. 

The Unfinished Sagrada Familia Church

The Sagrada Familia is perhaps the most iconic sight in Barcelona, Spain, but did you know it is still not completed? The full name is The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família and is a church designed by Antoni Gaudi, a famous Barcelona architect, at least, he took over from another architect and put his mark on it. Now it is time for future architects to do the same. 
The Sagrada Familia is the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world as Gaudi never got the chance to see the church as he had envisioned it. When it’s completed it will be the world’s tallest church. That is if it ever gets completed. 

Read more: Check out all of our stories from Haunted Monasteries and Churches from all around the world.

Gaudi died in 1926 after being run over by a tram at the intersection of Barcelona’s Carrer de Bailén and the Gran Via. Taxi drivers refused to take a man they mistook for a beggar to the city hospital. He was badly hurt after the collision and brought to a hospital for poor people in El Raval as the locals mistook him for a beggar. There he passed away three days later and the project was less than a quarter completed. 

Sagrada Familia: Today the unfinished church is a popular tourist attraction for those visiting Barcelona that wants to see the remarkable work left behind by Gaudi and those who picked up the work after him. But perhaps not everyone knows about the strange lights above the church, or the things that happened in the crypt were the architect were buried.

For his funeral, he was buried in the crypt of Sagrada Familia and thousands of people stood in line in the streets for his funeral.  
and they tried to progress with his plans, but the universe was set in halting the massive project. And as Gaudi himself said: My client is in no hurry, as he thought God would be patient. 

Only a decade after his death strange things started to happen. 

The Scars of the Spanish Civil War

The Spanish Civil War started and the project was once again stopped. In 1936 a group of anarchists from the FAI attacked the building and set fire to the former workshop of Gaudi where he had kept his materials. 

After setting fire to his workroom they headed for the crypts where he was buried. Together in the crypt, Gaudi’s patron, Josep Maria Bocabella was also laid to rest. His tomb was desecrated by the anarchists, but Gaudi’s tomb was left untouched.

After the civil war the project, Gaudi and his art startet to be forgotten, looked down on and it wasn’t until the 1950s that they really started to pick up the pace and see the value of this very controversial church. 

The Blue Lights Above the Church

After this desecration of the crypt there were several reports about strange blue lights on the Sagrada Familia towers and the rest of the building in the night. 

The police were even called, but couldn’t find a reason or cause of the mysterious blue lights. What was it? A reminder from the crypt about the project that needed to be completed?

The Blue Lights Above the Church: Churches have always been a place where strange things are said to have happened. Some of the things that are said to happen is strange blue lights lingering over the church after Gaudi’s crypt were disturbed.

This caused people to speculate that it could be the spirit of Mr. Bocabella whose tomb had been disturbed. Or it could even be Gaudi himself haunting the place because of the attack on his masterpiece as an architect?

The Ghost of Gaudi

This church is not the only place the rumors of Gaudi’s ghosts are being passed around. It is also said he is haunting the Hospital de la Santa Creu where he passed away. 

Antoni Gaudí i Cornet: Gaudi (25 June 1852 – 10 June 1926) was a Catalan Spanish architect and designer from Catalonia, known as the greatest exponent of Catalan Modernism that adorns his hometown Barcelona especially.

Through the rest of the century, people have constantly tried to finish the work, and lately the construction has sped up. By 2010, they were midway through their plans although some of the greatest building challenges remained. 

They were hoping that by 2026 they would present the complete church as the architect had envisioned it, but after the production halt during Covid, they must once again postpone the completion. 

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Gaudí’s La Sagrada Família: Genius or folly? – BBC Culture

Sagrada Família – Wikipedia

13 Barcelona Haunted Houses & Places that will creep you out

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The Lady in White in Bernkastel-Kues Cemetery

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In a cute medieval town in Germany, there is a dark and haunted cemetery. The cemetery in Bernkastel-Kues is said to be haunted by a woman in white. And this particular woman in white is also said to be deadly dangerous. 

The city of Bernkastel-Kues is a quaint little town in the Moselle valley known for its sweet Riesling wine, a state recognized health resort and a medieval marketplace. But just outside the city, where the graves and the dead reside, a Woman in White is said to haunt the place. 

There are more stories about haunted cemeteries to dive into in the Moonmausoleum. Read them here: Haunted Cemeteries

The Lady In White

At Bernkastel-Kues Cemetery there are several stories floating around. The biggest one is of the White Lady og Bernkastel-Kues, a Lady in White that is often told about in German ghost stories. 

The woman in white of this cemetery is said to be wearing a long flowy white dress as she is floating from one grave to another. Many reports tell about her crying. 

The Haunted Hunter

One story involving the Lady in White was when a hunter encountered her, possibly at Bernkastel-Kues Cemetery. He was terrified of seeing her and fell ill. The very next day he was taken to Koblenz, which was a military hospital. 

When he was put into the hospital he had swollen legs and a high fever, but he didn’t make any sense to the people around him. He kept on rambling about a woman in white that had attacked him. He died after his injuries, and no one ever found out what really happened there. 

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The Colorful Ghosts at Stirling Castle

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Stirling Castle keeps the dramatic events of Scotland’s history as it stands firmly on the castle hill. Just beware of seeing ghosts in all colors, whether it is the Lady in Green, the Pink Ghost Lady or The Woman in Black. 

Stirling Castle sits atop a dramatic hill in the heart of Scotland and has been a witness to centuries of battles and royal drama as it stands on an important crossroad through Scotland and has been attacked no less than 16 times. 

The castle has also seen many kings and queens come and go and has been a place of crowning them, including Mary, Queen of Scots who held her coronation there in 1542.

Black, green, pink and white, the ghosts of Stirling Castle come in them all, each of them bearing a different story and meaning if you spot them in the old castle. Beyond tales of human history, the castle is shrouded in ghostly legends of mysterious figures that have been seen during dark nights. 

The History Of Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle is an ancient royal fortress located in the city of Stirling, Central Scotland. Built within a dramatic volcanic plug commanding the route north into the Scottish Highlands, the castle was once an impenetrable stronghold of power and influence for Scotland’s monarchs. 

Stirling Castle is a unique and grand castle, boasting an impressive history dating back to the 12th century. Castle Hill as it is built on has had some type of fort built on it since Roman times, perhaps settled even earlier, as far back as the 600s. 

Stirling Castle: Is the old castle in Scotland really haunted? According to the rumours, it is more than one ghost said to wander the haunted castle even today.

The architecture of the castle reflects its changing history; striking evidence of its evolution can be seen in the stone walls and turrets that surround it. Visitors to the castle can explore four levels of magnificent stonework designed by Robert Adam, from a Great Hall and Chapel Royal to guard towers and residential quarters.

Is Stirling Castle Really Haunted?

Many believe that the strange apparitions and ominous sounds are signs that Stirling Castle is truly haunted and not only by one ghost, but by many. Over the years, numerous visitors have encountered mysterious sightings or felt a presence of some kind while visiting this ancient monument. 

Read More: Check out more Haunted Castles from all over the world.

Whether or not these accounts can be trusted is up for debate, but there’s no denying the castle’s long and formidable history makes it a perfect place for paranormal activity.

The Green Lady at her Queen’s Service

Legends of Stirling Castle tell tales of many spooky specters haunting its walls. One of them is referred to as the Green Lady with many stories trying to name her. She is thought to be the daughter of a Commander of the fortress that threw herself from the Elphinstone Tower because her father separated her from her lover, a common soldier and shot him dead.

The most retold legend though is that the Lady in Green could be one of the servants to Mary Queen of Scots who worked there when Mary returned to Scotland in 1562 after spending two decades in France after her husband Francis died. 

A Highlander girl was sent to serve her, and many claim she was gifted with the Second Sight and could foretell the future. The servant girl had seen something in her dreams and stayed with the Queen and had a bad feeling that something wasn’t right.

When the Queen was sleeping in her chambers her bed curtains went up in flames because of a candle on her bedside. This part is an actual event that happened. According to the legend though, the servant went straight for the flames and lost her life when saving the Queen. 

Still Fortelling Tragic Events

There have been countless sightings of her over the years, both by visitors and staff that have stayed in the Castle. When she has appeared, she has frightened the people stiff, as not only is seeing a ghost a scary thing, but her sightings are also said to be a bad omen. 

The Lady in Green: Although there are many variants to the legend, the most told one is that the ghost is that of a former servant that died in the flames while protecting her queen. It is thought that seeing her is a bad omen.

One evening the chef was preparing dinner at the garrison in the Officer’s Mess when he felt like someone was watching  him. He turned around and saw a see through green shape in front of him and he fainted from fear. 

Usually seeing the Green Lady is a bad omen and often she has been seen right before things like a fire or deaths on the castle has occurred, just like how she perished. 

The Pink Lady in the Kirkyard

The ghost of the pink lady can be seen outside of the castle as she is walking to the church next door in her flowing pink dress. The Church of the Holy Rude at Ladie’s Rock was a place court ladies went to watch the knights in jousting tournaments. 

People have speculated that the Pink Lady is actually the ghost og the only survivor after the castle became under siege in 1304 by Edward I. She escaped the siege and returned to the castle after only to find her husband who starved to death. 

The Lady in Pink: Who could this mysterious woman in pink be, and why is she still haunting the castle?

It has also been speculated that it could be Mary Queen of Scots herself that is said to haunt the castle. 

A third option of who this pink lady can be is the Widow Witherspoon. She was an old townswoman who died in 1823 and her corpse was robbed from her grave by the Resurrection Men to be sold to surgeons for further studies.  

The Steps on the Battlements

In the 1820s there used to be castle sentries that made their rounds on the battlements around the Governor’s Block. When they were walking they reported about hearing mystic sounds and seeing unexplainable things. 

One night a sentry was making his way to start his shift when he saw the guard he was replacing dead on his post. His mouth was wide open and his eyes had the look of pure fear and shock. Some say that he ended up meeting the gaze of the woman in green, something legend tells can be deadly.

Ever since then, even after the guards stopped patrolling on the battlements you could still hear footsteps from it as if the sentry was still making his rounds. 

The Lady in Black on the Back Walk

The Lady in Black is a mysterious figure that is seen roaming on the Back Walk that circles the Holy Rude graveyard. She is thought to perhaps be the ghost of a nun that is looking to reunite with her secret lover, a priest as the legend goes. 

Because of her mortal sin, her ghost is thought to be dangerous and said to bring death if you meet her gaze. 

The Ghost in the Kilt

Can you see the man in kilt?

There have also been spotted a male ghost wearing a traditional Highland kilt. Many have mistaken him for a tour guide working at Stirling Castle and are shocked when he just turns and passes through the wall. 

The ghost of the man in the kilt is often seen walking around the corner and disappearing through the wall near a dungeon of Stirling Castle. Back in the day, there used to be a door there, but today it is bricked up and just a solid wall.

The ghost has been talked about in the more modern times as it was allegedly caught in a photograph. In 1935 the Highland ghost is said to have been pictured by an architect, when he was planning for some upcoming building work of the castle.

It must be said that many of the people that owned the picture of the supposed ghost that they claimed could be seen in the picture and passed it around as a ghost picture, was known to be fond of practical jokes. 

Still, the mystery and intrigue of the picture has kept the story of the lonely man in kilt alive at Stirling Castle.

Watch out for the Harbinger of Misfortune

As centuries passed and the castle stood as a symbol of Scotland’s resilience, the ghosts came to understand the importance of their presence. The Lady in Green, the Pink Ghost Lady, The Woman in Black, and the other spectral figures were not simply omens of tragedy, but reminders of the castle’s enduring spirit.

Through their ethereal presence, the ghosts sought to protect the castle from any harm that may befall it. They would appear before devastating fires, revealing themselves as a warning and allowing enough time for the flames to be extinguished. The tragic stories of their origins served as cautionary tales, ensuring that history would not be repeated.

Over time, the castle staff and visitors learned to respect and honor the ghosts, recognizing their role as custodians of Stirling Castle. Instead of fear and superstition, they felt a sense of gratitude for the protection and connection to the past that the apparitions provided.

So, if you happen to visit Stirling Castle and catch a glimpse of a ghostly figure in black, green, or pink, remember to show respect and gratitude. For they are not harbingers of misfortune, but eternally loyal guardians of Scotland’s past, ensuring that the legacy of Stirling Castle lives on for generations to come.

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References:

Stirling Castle – Wikipedia 

The Green Lady of Stirling Castle 

Ghosts of Stirling Castle

The Haunted Stirling Castle, Scotland  

Stirling Ghostwalk :: The Pink Lady of the Auld Kirkyard 

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The White Lady of Kinsale Haunting Charles Fort

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Haunting the battlements of the historic Charles Fort in Ireland, a ghost after a tragic killing is said to haunt the ground. The White Lady of Kinsale is a ghost that remained after her father killed her husband on their wedding night. 

On the misty coast of Ireland lies a place steeped in mystery and tales of the supernatural. Charles Fort, or Dún Chathail in Irish, is a historic fortification south in the country that has gained notoriety as one of Ireland’s most haunted locations. 

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

Legend has it that Charles Fort is home to a number of ghostly apparitions, from the Lady in White who wanders the ramparts to the phantom soldiers who still march within its walls, the fort is said to be teeming with otherworldly activity.

The History of Charles Fort

Built in the late 17th century, Charles Fort played a crucial role in defending the coastline against invasions. It was strategically positioned at the entrance to Kinsale Harbour, making it an important stronghold for the British Army. Its star-shaped design, a common feature in military architecture at the time, allowed for increased protection and better sightlines.

Charles Fort: Dún Chathail is a bastion fort with one section of the outer wall built in star fashion. It is located on the water’s edge, at the southern end of the village of Summer Cove, on Kinsale harbour, County Cork, Ireland.//Source: Jonjobaker/Wikimedia

The fort was named after King Charles II of England, who commissioned its construction. Over the years, Charles Fort witnessed numerous conflicts and sieges, including the Williamite War in the late 17th century and the Irish War of Independence in the early 20th century. 

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

The Legend of the White Lady of Kinsale

The White Lady of Kinsale is said to stalk the battlements of Charles Fort, where her father, commander Colonel Warrender, killed her husband on their wedding night. The White Lady’s haunting origins can be traced back to the 17th century. Wilful Warrander fell in love with an officer named Sir Trevor Ashurt and decided to get married. 

The Star Shaped Fort: Charles Fort was built on the site of the ruins of an earlier stronghold known as Barry Óg Castle, at Rincurran. The Ringcurran defences had featured prominently during the Siege of Kinsale in 1601. Now the fort is in ruins and only ghost story remains. //Source: Dieglop/Wikimedia

According to the story, Wilful saw some flowers she liked on the battlement and Sir Trevor wanted to climb down to pick some for her. A guard on duty volunteered to go in his place, and Sir Trevor stepped in as a guard and waited, but fell asleep. 

Her father did a nightly inspection and saw a guard asleep on his job. He was known for enforcing a strict military code and shot the guard through the heart, only realizing afterwards that it was his son-in-law he had shot. 

Wilful was so full of grief and threw herself from the ramparts and into the ice cold water. It is said that when her father lost his daughter he was filled with despair and shot himself the very same night. 

Haunting in her Wedding Dress

Legend has it that she now seeks revenge on any unsuspecting souls who cross her path. Since then, witnesses have reported seeing a ghostly woman in a wedding dress wreaking havoc around the fortress.

Soldiers stationed at the fort have even claimed to have seen her walking through walls, her ethereal figure disappearing into thin air. Parents stationed at Charles Fort have also shared chilling accounts of the White Lady watching their children as they slept, her presence filling the room with an eerie sense of unease.

The Lady in White: The Ghost of the White Lady haunting Charles Fort in Ireland, is seen still wearing her wedding dress. She is also said to have been dangerous on some occasions.

She is also said to be haunting the streets of Kinsale where she grew up and in a hotel called The White Lady, her ghost appears a couple of times a month. 

The Danger of the Lady in White

One of the most terrifying accounts of the White Lady’s wrath dates back to 1922. A medical officer stationed at Charles Fort was staying in one of the rooms when he was suddenly awoken by a chilling presence.

Photo: Wikimedia

Before he realized what was happening he found himself being dragged from his room and thrown down a flight of stairs by a young robed woman. 

The officer sustained injuries from the fall, but what shook him to his core was the knowledge that he had come face to face with the vengeful spirit of the White Lady herself.

Read More: For more ghost stories about women in white, check out The Lady in White in Zitadelle Spandau, La Llorona the Mexican Weeping Woman Ghost, The Hauntings of the Chute de la Dame Blanche or The Haunted History of Prince Gong’s Mansion in Beijing

Visitors to Charles Fort are now warned to tread carefully and be mindful of their surroundings, for the White Lady may still roam the halls, seeking justice for her tragic fate.

Exploring the mysteries of Charles Fort

In conclusion, Charles Fort is a place where history and the supernatural intertwine. Its haunted reputation, fueled by tales of the White Lady and other ghostly apparitions, has made it a must-visit destination for thrill-seekers and history enthusiasts alike. 

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Featured Image: Dieglop/Wikimedia

Charles Fort (Ireland) – Wikipedia

Ireland’s Ghostly White Lady of Kinsale | Authentic Vacations 

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Palazzo Ca’Dario – The Cursed Palace in Venice

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Along the Grand Canal in Venice there is this gothic palace called Palazzo Ca’Dario. For centuries the owners have met an unfortunate end and today it is most known as the most cursed palace in Venice.

Taking a walk in Venice’s narrow streets or from a boat on the shallow canals, there are many spectacular buildings towering over the shallow canals. Each with its long and sometimes dark history. 

One of these wonderful buildings is the small, but exquizit palace in Venetian gothic style named Ca’Dario on the Canal Grande. It has a marvelous facade of Istrian stone and is decorated with marbles and medallions. 

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

Palazzo Ca’Dario is often for sale, it is said though, as the owners don’t seem to linger for too long in this place, something that doesn’t happen very often in Venice. But for this particular palace, there is a very particular reason for its vacancy. According to local venetians, the place is cursed and has been for centuries. 

The Palazzo Ca’Dario is often called the house that kills and is today, perhaps one of the most famous cursed houses to this day. The owner that takes up residence in the palace will soon after meet a violent death or at least live to be ruined. 

The Dario Family

For evidence for this legend, or perhaps more accurately, the reason for this legend behind Palazzo Ca’Dario, is the track record of owners that died in horrific ways or lost all of their fortune, tracing back to the 16th century to modern day. 

According to legend, it all started with the daughter of Giovanni Dario. Giovanni Dario was the Secretary of the Senate of the Republic of Venice and built Palazzo Ca’Dario in the 15th century. On the facade of the palace there is an inscription that reads Urbis Genio Joannes Darius, meaning Giovanni Dario to the Genius of the City. 

His daughter Marietta Dario was the first person to have died in a horrible way. After her husband Vincenzo went bankrupt and in some variation of the story, stabbed to death, she fell into a darkness she didn’t manage to climb out from. She committed suicide it that very palace her father built. Not long after their son followed after being murdered in Crete by assassins. 

The Curse Continues to this Day

Since then there have been over 10 dramatic deaths connected to the owners of Palazzo Ca’Dario, and even people like Woody Allen, who considered buying the house, refused after he heard about the curse of the house. The owners don’t necessarily have to live in the palace to be struck by the curse, they simply have to buy it. 

The Barbaro family was one of the families that lost all of their fortune shortly after they bought the place. 

In 1842, an Englishman named Radon Brown lost all of his money as well and committed suicide together with his male lover after their romantic relationship were revealed. A very similar fate fell upon the American Charles Briggs who were accused of being gay living their. Together with his lover, they fled to Mexico, but his lover died by suicide. 

The Cursed Palace: Palazzo Ca’Dario as it is today along the Grand Canal in Venice. For so many centuries it has been considered to be one of the most cursed places in the entire city of Venice as the owners have often met an unfortunate end.

The French poet Henri de Régnier lived there until he was so seriously ill he had to return back to France. The manager of The Who, Christopher Lambert was also one of the owners that seemed to get ill after purchasing the house in the early 1970s. 

In 1979, Fillippo Giordano delle Lanze, a count from Turin was killed by his lover inside the palace. His lover, a Croatian sailor fled to London were he in turn was murdered. 

In the 1980’s a financier named Raul Gardini bought the place. He was later found guiltu of being implicated in the Tangentopoli government corruption scandal and committed suicide in 1993. 

The Reason Behind the Curse of Palazzo Ca’Dario

Why is Palazzo Ca’Dario so cursed you asked? There are several legends to it. Some claim it is from the original death of the daughter of Dario that is still echoing as a curse in the building, some say it is a building built on top of an old Templar cemetery or built on a crossroad. 

Perhaps, there is more to say about who can afford to live in a palace in the first place, and how far they fall when they lose everything. 

There is noted however by people that the inscription on the facade praising the builder of Palazzo Ca’Dario to mean something completely different as an anagram. Sub ruina insidiosa genero, meaning I bring treacherous ruins to those who live under this roof. 

The Palazzo Ca’Dario on the Canal

As the sun sets over the shimmering waters of the Grand Canal, a sense of foreboding surrounds Palazzo Ca’Dario. The legacy of tragedy and misfortune that has plagued its owners for centuries continues to cast its dark shadow upon the palace. The curse, intertwined with the very fabric of the building, has become an indelible part of Venice’s history.

Despite the tales of doom and the cautionary whispers of locals, there are always those who are drawn to the enigmatic allure of Palazzo Ca’Dario. Through the years, the curse has claimed its victims with ruthless precision. Lives lost, fortunes squandered, and dreams shattered. The hallways echo with the silent cries of the past, a testament to the insidious nature of the curse that has plagued this cursed palace.

Legends and theories abound, attempting to unravel the origins of the curse. Is it the tortured spirit of Marietta Dario, unable to find peace after her tragic demise? Or does the curse stem from a darker force, buried deep within the ancient foundations, waiting to consume those who dare to call it home?

Perhaps one day, the curse will be broken, the darkness lifted from this ill-fated palace. But until then, Palazzo Ca’Dario remains a testament to the fragility of human existence, a haunting reminder that some places are best left to the whispers of legends and the pages of history.

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Venice Legends and Ghosts

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/palazzo-dario

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The Headless Ghost of the Lady in White at Corfe Castle

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Haunted by ghosts and other supernatural creatures, Corfe Castle has been the source of many spine-tingling tales and in the night the light of the Will-o’-the-wisp flicker as the ghost roams the ruins.  

Step into Corfe Castle and explore its notorious history of hauntings, ghastly apparitions, and spine-tingling folklore in the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, England. 

With tales of mysterious spirits walking the halls, eerie sightings on misty mornings, and other supernatural phenomena, this castle is considered to be among the most haunted places in Britain.

The History of The Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle has been both a Saxon stronghold and a Norman fortress before it became a royal castle and was established by William the Conqueror on the steep hill way back between 1066 and 1087 and saw the wars, coronation and the ebb and flow of British history take form over the years. 

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

The castle was partially destroyed in the English Civil War in 1646 when the Parliamentarians laid siege on it. They toppled the once great castle and laid it to the ruins you see today on top of the hill. Corfe castle remains now a majestic ruin and an image of how medieval castle used to be.

The Strange Lights from the Ruins

When people have walked through the abandoned ruins stripped for its royal glory, they have also encountered strange things some claim have been of the paranormal sort. 

Read Also: The Pagan Haunting of Die Karlsteine in Osnabrück for more stories of Will-o’-the-wisp

More than once there have been reports of strange flickering lights moving like pixie light or Will-o’-the-wisp around the grounds at night. Some speculate that it is the soldiers from the English civil war, some say it is something more ancient. 

Will-o’-the-wisp: In Welsh folklore, it is said that the light is “fairy fire” held in the hand of a púca, or pwca, a small goblin-like fairy that leads lone travellers off the beaten path at night. As the traveller follows the púca through the marsh or bog, the fire is extinguished, leaving them lost. The púca is said to be one of the Tylwyth Teg, or fairy family. In Wales the light predicts a funeral that will take place soon in the locality.

The Starved Child Ghost in the Cottage

There have also been said that they have heard a child’s cry from inside a small cottage that is located next to the castle ruins and on the castle grounds. When checking both the cottage and the grounds, there have been no children to be found. 

People speculate that it is the child of the 4th Lord of Bramber, William de Braose who fell out of favor with the king and is most known for carrying out the Abergavenny Massacre where he lured three Welsh Princes and other Welsh leaders to their death. It is said that his wife and child starved to death at Corfe Castle. 

The young son William and his wife Maud de Clare were starved or possibly killed by King John in 1210 when they were held in prison in  Corfe Castle because of the crimes of his father as he fled the country and died in exile. 

The Lady in White of Corfe Castle

One of the most famous legends about Corfe Castle is that of the Lady in White. It is said that she wanders the castle grounds, clad in a long white dress. It is said to be the ghost of Lady Mary Bankes who fought through two sieges during the Civil War before being betrayed by her own in 1646 when the Parliamentary soldiers took the castle.

The most frightening thing about seeing her specter though is that she is said to be headless as she is drifting through the ruins. 

The Lady in White In Wales: Y Ladi Wen or Dynes Mewn Gwyn (Woman in white) is dressed in white, her presence most notable during Calan Gaeaf, the Welsh Halloween. Known for being a ghostly figure, sometimes terrifying, and is often invoked to caution children against misbehavior. She is characterized in various ways and may even seek help if spoken to. Y Ladi Wen is also associated with restless spirits guarding hidden treasures. Throughout Wales, places inspired by sightings and tales of Y Ladi Wen can be found. For example, Ewenny has White Lady’s Meadow and White Lady’s Lane, while St Athan also has a tradition associated with Y Ladi Wen.

Brave Dame Mary and her Defence of the Castle

Mary Bankes earned the title Brave Dame Mary and was a Royalist and defended the castle for three years under a siege during the English Civil War from 1643 to 1645 when she took control over the castle as her husband was sent to fight in London and Oxford.

Brave Dame Mary: holding the keys with Corfe Castle in the distance.

She defended the castle with her daughters, her servants and five soldiers against 600 troops as the Corfe Castle was the last garrison on the Dorsetshire coast belonging to the Royalists still standing.  

She survived the siege after being betrayed by one of her officers who led the Parliamentarians into the castle via a sally gate and she was forced to surrender. But she never gave up reclaiming the castle, and when she died in 1661, the ruins of the castle was bought on her behalf and went to her daughter, Joanna, who in turn passed it to her own daughters and the Bankes family held the castle for centuries before giving it back to the Dorset community.

Not even in her death she gave up on the castle and still roams the ground. Sightings of her have been reported by visitors and employees alike on coronation days and other special occasions. People swear they have seen her walking through walls and walking up staircases leading to nowhere, mostly by the castle gate before fading into thin air.

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References:

Lady Mary Bankes and the Siege of Corfe Castle 

Mary Bankes – Wikipedia 

Corfe Castle – Wikipedia

Corfe Castle is fourth most insta-worthy haunted building in England | Dorset Echo 

The ‘haunted’ history of Dorset’s Corfe Castle 

William de Braose, 4th Lord of Bramber – Wikipedia 

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The Ghost Crowds of Leap Castle

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In the Leap Castle in Ireland, the ruthless clan O’Carroll left a trail of blood. Many of their victims came back as ghosts, haunting the halls of the castle. As well as a mysterious spirit known as The Elemental, that might have been there since druid times. 

Leap Castle, or Caisleán Léim Uí Bhánáin in Irish, is a place steeped in mystery and dark history in the heart of the emerald island. It is known as one of the most haunted places in the world, with tales of murder, betrayal, and torture dating back centuries. 

The castle’s dark past has earned it the title of “The Most Haunted Castle in Ireland,” and it is not hard to see why. From the notorious O’Carroll family who ruled the castle to the terrifying tales of the Elemental that haunts its halls, Leap Castle is a place that sends shivers down the spine of even the bravest of souls. 

History of the Leap Castle

The very history of the castle is steeped in bloody red, and even how it got its name is a history of death and insanity. 

Originally, Leap Castle was called ‘Leim Ui Bhanain’. This means Leap of the O’Bannons. According to this legend there were two brothers that were having a contest of who was to lead the clan. To decide this they had a contest of bravery. Whoever survived after jumping from the rocks where Leap Castle was built was to be the next leader. 

When Leap Castle was built is up for debate, some citing everything from the 1200s to 1500s. Some think it was a sacred place for druids before a castle was built on the site. It is also said to be the castle in Ireland that has been inhabited the longest. 

The Leap Castle was used as the stronghold for the O’Carroll clan and said to be the most fortified castle in the country. The O’Carroll were a Gaelic Irish clan and they were known for being ruthless and bloody, something the supposed hauntings going on in the castle echoes. 

Read More: Check out all of the Haunted Castles in the world

It stayed with the O’Carroll clan until it was conquered by an English soldier called John Darby of the Cromwellian forces. The Darbys kept the castle from 1642 to 1922. Then it was looted in an uprising and burnt to the ground in the Irish Civil War. 

It was abandoned until 1974 when it was bought by an Australian that started the restoration work that continues to this day. 

Ghost Sightings at Leap Castle

There have been countless reports of ghost sightings at Leap Castle over the years. Many visitors claim to have seen the Elemental, while others have reported hearing strange noises and feeling a sense of unease when they enter the castle’s haunted halls.

There is said to be a woman said to haunt the place wearing only a red cloth covering her face. She is always seen screaming loudly. An old man has been seen numerous times sitting peacefully by the fire in the main hall. 

In the remains of what is called the Priest’s house there is a burly man, in rough clothes, like a peasant; he always pushes a heavy barrel up the backstairs of the wing, near the servant’s bedrooms, and when just at the top, the barrel rolls down and all disappears. Here there is also a monk, with a tonsure and cowl, walking in at one window and out another.

The Elemental of Leap Castle

The Elemental is perhaps the most famous ghost associated with Leap Castle. It is said to be a malevolent spirit that haunts the castle’s halls, wreaking havoc on anyone who crosses its path. The Elemental is said to be a manifestation of the anger and pain that was inflicted on the castle’s former inhabitants.

The Elemental is described as a tall, dark figure with a foul stench. It is said to have no face and no discernible features, but it radiates a sense of pure malevolence. The spirit is said to be particularly active in the Bloody Chapel, where it has been known to attack visitors.

The Elemental: The most known spirit residing at Leap Castle is that of the Elemental. It is a mysterious spirit that no one really knows where comes from. Some say it is from the O’Carroll family, some say it is from the druid’s that lived there long before the castle was built. It is said to be a malevolent spirit and have been reported to be potentially dangerous for the living.

There are many theories about the origins of the Elemental. Some believe that it was summoned by the O’Carroll family as a means of protection, while others believe that it is the result of the castle’s violent history. 

Some think it could be the spirit of Gerald Fitzgerald Earl of Kildare. According to the legend he was a practitioner of magic and tried to take over the castle many times in the early to mid 1500s. Or it could perhaps be a spirit of one of the O’Carrol clan that died in the castle from Leprosy. 

Another theory is older than the castle itself, and thought to be a spirit put there by druids that used to live there before the castle was built to protect the sacred site they used for rituals and magic. 

Invoking the Spirit of Leap Castle

Since when the spirit came to the castle is uncertain as it was abandoned for so many years. Some claim it was a woman called Mildred Darby that invoked the spirit when she dabbled in the occult and wrote down a lot of her experiences in Leap Castle. 

Mildred Darby lived in the castle in the early 1900s and is the person that made many of the legends and ghost stories surrounding the castle known to the world when she published her experiences living in the castle. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from Ireland

This was at the same time when they found over 100 skeletons in the Oubliette in the Red Chapel we will discuss later in the article. 

Whatever its origins, the Elemental remains one of the most terrifying ghosts in the castle, although it is said it only comes when provoked. The Ryans that have lived in Leap Castle since 1991 claim that they haven’t had any hauntings from this spirit since they moved in. 

The Ghosts of Emily and Charlotte

There are two little girls said to be haunting the castle. The little girls aged 11 and 6 respectively are seen mostly playing in the main hall and running in the stairs. People think they might have been one of the last of the O’Carrolls residing in the castle or perhaps even the first of the Darbys as they look like they came from the 1600s. 

Emily is said to have died from a fall from the battlements on the south-east side of the castle. People claim to have seen a girl falling from the roof but disappearing before hitting the ground. 

According to the Ryans, they have on more than one occasion heard a child scream as if reliving the final moments from falling. Charlotte on the other hand is seen with a deformed right leg. She drags it backwards, trying to keep up with the older ghost. Accompanying the little girls is often the ghost of a Governess of a Nanny. 

A lot of the information about the two girls, comes from Mildred Darby’s seances and she had this to see about her encounter with the girls: 

Another night I was sleeping with my little girl. I awoke, and saw a girl with long, fair hair standing at the fireplace, one hand at her side, the other on the chimney-piece. Thinking at first it was my little girl, I felt on the pillow to see if she were gone, but she was fast asleep. There was no fire or light of any kind in the room.

The Red Lady

One of the more prominent figures haunting the Leap Castle is the Red Lady. According to the legends she was a woman that was kidnapped by the O’Carroll clan and kept as a prisoner in the castle. 

While imprisoned she was raped by more than one member of the O’Carroll clan and got pregnant. This was not welcomed by the O’Carroll that didn’t want to be responsible for feeding another mouth. 

When she gave birth to the child, one of the clan members killed the baby with a dagger. This was the final drop for the mother who grabbed the very same dagger and killed herself with it. 

The Red Lady: In one of the old nursery rooms of Leap Castle it is said that the spirit of the Red Lady is haunting. She is believed to be a kidnapped woman from another clan that was held captive in the castle.

After her horrible death, many have claimed to have seen the Red Lady in the castle. According to them, she is a tall woman dressed in red. She is said to walk through the castle, still holding the dagger they used to kill her child. 

Mildred Daryb described her like this in her article Kilman Castle: The House of Horror: 

There is a tall, dark woman, in the historic scarlet silk dress that rustles. She haunts the blue room, which always used to be the nursery, and sobs at the foot of the children’s beds.

The legends of The Red Lady are plentiful in Ireland, especially in the old castles and mansions. They often work in the ghost stories like the Lady in White of mainland Europe or the Grey Lady in Scandinavia. In many of the stories about the Lady in Red, she met a bloody and violent end. 

The Red Chapel

Another one of the horrible stories from Leap Castle comes from within what is known as the Bloody Chapel were people have seen bright light coming from the upper windows at night when passing the castle, even though no one is inside. 

Once one of the priests of the O’Carroll was murdered by his brother in a power struggle within the family after the ruling chieftain Mulrooney O’Carroll died in 1532. 

The Ghost of the Priest: In the Red Chapel there is said to be more than one ghost lingering. One of them is the ghost of a priest that are said to have been murdered inside of the chapel. This spirit has also been seen lurking on the stairway below and also leaving the chapel via the western door to the bartizan and down the northern stairs.

The priest had just began mass when his brother stormed into the chapel and murdered him there. Because the priest started the mass before the arrival of the brother, it was considered a huge insult by him and it ended in bloodshed.

After this, it is said that the priest have been haunting the chapel, especially as he has been seen standing in the stairway. 

The Oubliette

Inside of this is a chamber called The Oubliette. It used to be a place where they stored valuable things as well as working as a hiding place if the castle was under a siege. 

The O’Carrolls had another purpose for this place though. They used the place as a small dungeon where they kept prisoners. The very word Oubliette is French meaning to forget. And one time the O’Carroll’s threw one of their prisoners inside of the chambers, they simply forgot about it entirely. 

They also used it to dispose of the bodies that they killed within the castle walls. They used to invite people over to a feast, but poison the food and cut their throat before being thrown into the Oubliette. It is said that 39 of the O’Neill clan were killed this way. 

One of the most famous ghost sightings at Leap Castle occurred in the 1900s when they rediscovered the chambers again. A group of workmen were repairing the castle when they discovered a secret room hidden behind a wall in the Red Chapel. Inside the room, they found hundreds of skeletons according to the stories.

Since the discovery of the secret room, there have been countless reports of ghostly activity in and around the castle. Visitors have reported seeing apparitions, hearing strange noises, and feeling a sense of dread when they enter certain parts of the castle. Despite the many ghost sightings, however, the castle remains a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from all over the world who are intrigued by its haunted reputation.

A Visit to the Haunted Leap Castle

Its haunted reputation has earned it a place in the hearts of ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts from all over the world. From the horrors of the Bloody Chapel to the malevolent spirit of the Elemental, Leap Castle is a place that sends shivers down the spine of even the bravest of souls.

Despite its dark past, Leap Castle has become a place of beauty and wonder, a testament to Ireland’s rich cultural heritage. It has inspired countless books, movies, and TV shows, and it continues to capture the imaginations of people from all over the world. 

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Featured Image: Dieglop/Wikimedia

History | Leap Castle 

The Elemental | Leap Castle 

Emily & Charlotte | Leap Castle 

The most haunted castle in Ireland: the story of novelist Andrew Merry (aka Mrs Mildred Darby) of Leap Castle, Co. Offaly, by Noel Guerin | offalyhistoryblog 

The Murdered Woman | Leap Castle