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Cabra Castle and the Ghost of the Poor Servant Girl

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At the old Cabra Castle, once known as Cormey Castle, it is said that the ghost of an unfortunate servant girl is haunting it’s hall. She was brutally murdered by the castle owners when they found out she was bearing one of the heirs’ children. 

In the heart of Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, stands Cabra Castle—a place where history, beauty, and the supernatural intertwine, casting an enchanting but eerie spell close to the Dún a Rí Forest . 

Cabra Castle is given to two castles in this area. One is now only ruins, the other one is turned into a luxury hotel. The centuries-old castle has captured the imagination of travelers and ghost enthusiasts alike, earning a reputation as one of the most haunted hotels in the world, according to a chilling 2010 Trip Advisor ranking.

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

Today it is a hotel as it has been since the 90s, but before that it used to be the land of the O’Reilly clan. This was until Oliver Cromwell took control in the 1600s. The original castle from before this time was destroyed and Cabra House was built on top of the ruins. The ruins of the original Cabra House, or Cabra Castle, can be seen on a slight height near the Wishing Well in what is now Dún a’ Rí Forest Park, formerly part of the Cabra Estate. 

Cabra Castle: Today the Cabra Castle is a luxury hotel. It is said to be haunted of not only one ghost though. //Source: Colette Gemmell/Wikimedia

The rebuilt castle was then called Cormy Castle and the Foster family lived there when the supposed ghost story is said to have happened. The main building was in ruins, destroyed during the Cromwellian War, however, its adjacent courtyard remained in good repair.

A Tale of Forbidden Love

In the 1780s, the castle’s owners had a son who found his heart entwined with that of a servant girl named Sarah. Who this was is not specified, but it is known that John Tomas Foster was the one that took over the castle in 1795, but died shortly after. Although he is not named in any of the stories, he is the heir around that time. If there ever worked a girl named Sarah during that time, is not found any proof of though. 

According to the legend, they managed to keep their relationship a secret for a while, but secrets have a way of unveiling themselves when the truth cannot remain hidden. Sarah’s secret was revealed when she discovered she was with child, a revelation that would prove catastrophic for her and her lover.

A Tragic End

The heir’s family, driven by property and social standing, decreed that Sarah must be silenced. In a macabre turn of events, Sarah was taken from the servants’ quarters of Cabra Castle and dragged into the nearby forest, perhaps the Dún a Rí Forest, where they murdered her and her unborn child.

Legends recount that Sarah met a gruesome end, her lifeless form hanging over a bridge in the dark heart of the forest. But it is said that her spirit did not rest, and the echoes of her tragic tale continue to haunt Cabra Castle to this day.

Sarah’s Bridge: In the Dún a Rí Forest, there is a bridge called Sarah’s Bridge, constructed in 1801, was named in memory of Sarah Mountmorris, who married into the Pratt family. Local legend, on the other hand, tells about a Sarah who had been meeting her boyfriend on the bridge for nearly three decades. One evening, he unexpectedly proposed to her, causing Sarah to fall into the river and drown. To prevent a similar tragedy, side walls were added to the bridge, making it a more secure and less risky place for romantic rendezvous. Therefore it has little to nothing with the Servant Sarah from Cabra Castle.// Source

A Crying Infant in the Night

Visitors to Cabra Castle have reported spine-chilling experiences, where the past and present intersect in eerie ways. In the stillness of the night, some claim to have heard the haunting cries of a baby—an unsettling reminder of the pain and sorrow that once unfolded here.

The courtyard rooms hold their own secrets, with numerous accounts of guests sensing an unexplained “presence” nearby. These encounters have left many with an indelible sense of the uncanny, especially in the courtyard rooms and near the Hanging Tree that is found on the ground. In some version of the story it was from this tree that she was hanged.

The Other Ghost at Cabra Castle

But the ghost of the unfortunate servant girl is not the only ghost said to haunt the old castle. One guest recounted an encounter with a man clad in the uniform of the early 20th century, striding purposefully down a corridor—a figure both mysterious and disconcerting.

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

In the dark hours when the veil between worlds seems to waver, others have described hearing the unmistakable sounds of a horse and carriage. These spectral noises, they claim, herald the arrival of a phantom carriage depositing a crying infant at the castle’s steps—a haunting scene that defies explanation.

The Enchantingly Haunted Cabra Castle

The ending of Cabra Castle ghostly tale is as enigmatic as the spirits that wander its halls. While the tragic story of the servant girl’s murder leaves a lingering sense of sorrow and injustice, there is a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.

Read More: Check out all of the Haunted Hotels around the world

Cabra Castle remains an enchanting yet haunted place, captivating those who dare to visit. Its rich history, mingled with the supernatural, creates an otherworldly experience that leaves an indelible mark on all who wander its storied grounds.

While the tale of the servant girl’s murder remains a haunting reminder of the injustices of the past, Cabra Castle, forever enigmatic and hauntingly beautiful, beckons to those who seek an experience beyond the ordinary. Step into its storied halls, and let the echoes of the past whisper their secrets to you.

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References:

​Ghostly tales of Irish Castles – Original Irish Hotels 

Cabra Castle Hotel | Haunted Cavan, Ireland | Spirited Isle 

Take a Ghost Tour of the Romantic Castles of Ireland | Cabra… 

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Ross Castle and the Tragic Haunting of a Doomed Love

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In the castle belonging to the Black Baron, it is said ghosts are haunting both the Ross Castle as well as the lake close to it. According to the legend, it is the ghost of the Baron and his daughter that lingers, both of them filled with regret and tragedy after the daughters doomed love. 

In the heart of County Meath, Ireland, where the emerald landscape conceals ancient tales and timeless legends, stands Ross Castle built on ancient Celtic land close to the Hill of Tara, where the High Kings of Ireland were crowned. 

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

This historic building has long been known for its picturesque charm overlooking Lough Sheelin, one of Ireland’s midland lakes, welcoming guests from near and far as a popular Bed & Breakfast. Yet, beyond its inviting facade, Ross Castle harbors chilling stories of love, betrayal, and lingering spirits.

Ross Castle and Lough Sheelin: The castle looms over the lake and houses more than one spirit that are said to haunt the area.

A Castle Born of Controversy

The castle was constructed in 1536 under the patronage of Richard Nugent, the 12th Lord of Delvin, infamously known as the “Black Baron” because of his dark reputation. Nugent was a man of stern disposition, and his cruelty earned him the dread of locals who lived in fear of his wrath. 

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

One story says he killed an innocent beggar, because he had heard someone had stolen a loaf of bread in the village. There was no trial, and he acted as both the judge and executioner. When the truth of the matter was revealed after the man had been hanged at the gallows, they erected a cross where he died. 

Forbidden Love: Sabrina and Orwin

Within the castle’s walls resided Richard Nugent’s daughter, Sabrina. Far from the tyrannical figure her father cut, Sabrina was beloved by those she encountered during her rare ventures beyond the castle’s confines. She was of poor health, but had a curious mind and was beloved by the Irish villagers even though she was the daughter of an English lord that had a horrible reputation and was feared. 

In one of these escapades where she escaped her governess on her walks, Sabrina’s path intertwined with that of Orwin, the son of an O’Reilly Chieftain and a sworn enemy of her father. 

Away from their family feud and alone, they fell in love and met up in secret away from their parents and dreamed of a life where they could finally be together. 

A Tragic Escape and Lake Sheelin’s Wrath

The young lovers could bear the weight of their secret love no longer and decided to elope to be together. One fateful day, they commandeered a rowing boat and set off across the turbulent waters of Lough Sheelin. On their way over the dark waters their boat capsized, casting them into the dark depths.

The Doomed Love: To finally be together, Sabrina and Owen tried to escape on a boat over Lough Sheelin, away from Ross Castle and their families. It ended in tragedy. Painting: Lovers by Arthur Georg von Ramberg

Sabrina was the lucky one and was plucked from the water by a guard her father had dispatched upon learning of her escape. She was rescued, but her beloved Orwin met a watery grave as he drowned and was not looked for by her father. Several days later, his lifeless body was recovered from the lake when it washed ashore.

A Haunting Love Story

The tragedy left Sabrina bereft and consumed by grief. She locked herself in the castle’s tower, refusing sustenance until she, too, succumbed to her sorrow and starved herself to death.

It is said that Sabrina’s tormented spirit lingers within the castle’s ancient walls, endlessly roaming its corridors, forever seeking her lost love she never got the chance to be with. 

Eerie Encounters

Sabrina is not alone in haunting the castle though; her father, the Black Baron, is also condemned to wander, haunted by the cruelty he inflicted upon others and the grief he felt after losing his daughter in that manner.

While many guests at Ross Castle enjoy peaceful slumber, others report unsettling experiences. A pervasive feeling of being watched, glimpses of an ominous male presence, and sudden, inexplicable drops in temperature have all been documented.

Disembodied voices, thunderous banging noises from empty upper floors, and doors that mysteriously swing open and slam shut unnerve those who stay within its historic walls from the ghost of the father and daughter haunting the castle.

Frozen in Time: The Lake’s Tragic Tale

The spectral activity extends beyond the castle’s interior. Guests staying in the castle tower may witness a recurring tragedy from centuries past. Legend speaks of the lake freezing during winters, enabling carriages to traverse the icy expanse to reach a nearby island and its church.

One chilling tale recounts the ice giving way, plunging a funeral procession into the frigid waters. The the priest of the funeral was the sole survivor as the rest of the procession died in the lake, following the person they were on their way to bury.

This haunting event is said to replay every hundred years, a ghostly echo of the past. It is not specified when it is happening though, but if you look out the window and see shadows trying to pass the frozen lake, you might be witnessing their ghosts.

Funeral Proceccion: A group of people was walking over the lake as it was frozen on their way to a funeral. It is said that the entire procession is now haunting the lake. Paining from Jack B. Yeats (Irish, 1871-1957)  from 1918

Ross Castle: Where History and the Supernatural Collide

Standing on the shore of Lough Sheelin, beneath the shadow of Ross Castle, one can’t help but feel the weight of the tragic love story that unfolded within its ancient walls. As the wind whispers through the trees and the waves break against the rocks, the ghosts of the Black Baron and his daughter, Sabrina, continue to haunt the castle and the lake.

Over the years, countless visitors have been drawn to the ethereal beauty and historical significance of Ross Castle. Some come in search of supernatural encounters, while others seek to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Irish history. Regardless of their reasons for visiting, all leave with a sense of the lingering presence that pervades the castle.

Sabrina’s spirit, forever yearning for her lost love, wanders the corridors and staircases, hoping to reunite with Orwin, the love she was tragically torn apart from. The Black Baron, burdened by his past deeds and the sorrow he feels for the loss of his daughter, roams the castle in perpetual torment.

Ross Castle stands as a testament to Ireland’s captivating history, where tales of love, betrayal, and tragedy intertwine. Whether you visit as a curious traveler or an avid ghost hunter, the stories of Ross Castle will leave an indelible mark on your soul. As you depart its mysterious halls, the echoes of the past will linger, whispering in the winds, forever entwined with the haunting beauty of Ross Castle on the shores of Lough Sheelin.

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References:

Ross Castle – Ghosts 

Ross Castle, Haunted Meath, Ireland | Spirited Isle 

I went in search of Ireland’s most troubled ghosts – The Irish Times 

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Dracula and Ghost Nuns in Whitby Abbey

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The gothic haunting of the small town of Whitby is said to be by the old Whitby Abbey were the ghost of a nun is haunting the ruins. Whitby was also a place Bram Stoker used for a setting for Dracula’s arrival to England.

Whitby is cute little English town on the Yorkshire Coast, like taken out from any period drama movie. By the sea on nice days, the people are out in the streets, walking up the piers, sitting in the small cute boat and walking past the picturesque houses. But that is until the weather turns and the clouds are gathering in the sky, making the once blue sea foam. And the weather always turns for the worse in these seaside towns facing the North Sea.

Steeped in history, one need only to spin around to touch ruins, memories and ghosts of the past. And Whitby town is indeed haunted, at least if you believe Bram Stoker, the father of modern horror.

The Legends of Whitby Abbey

But before talking about Dracula, let’s have a look at some of the older legends the place is haunted by.

Much of the settlements back in the day was attributed to Whitby Abbey that was built in the mid 600 and founded by Hilda of Whitby, the abbess of several monasteries and an important figure in the Christianisation of Anglo-Saxon England. At that time the Whitby Abbey was a center for the medieval Northumbrian kingdom.

Hilda of Whitby was renowned for her wisdom and counseled Kings, princes and nuns alike. Whitby Abbey was known as Streoneshalh, and she remained there for the rest of her years as an abbess. Hilda of Whitby was was also the one inspiring one of the first British poets, Cædmon, to start out in his endeavor.

Saint Hilda of Whitby: The Abbess of Whitby Abbey was a well known woman and known for her wisdom and good counselling. She is also one of the ghost reported to haunt the ruins of the abbey.//Source: Detail from St. Hilda at Hartlepool by James Clark James (artist) (oil painting)

The last seven years of her life was a struggle for Hilda as she suffered from a fever. But nevertheless she continued her work until her death on 17th of November in 680 AD. She was then 66 years old, and that was pretty impressive in those days. According to a nun who lived there called Begu, she saw Hilda’s soul being carried to heaven by angels and she became a Saint.

The Ghost of Hilda of Whitby

Many strange legends arose after her death, like how a local legend says that when sea birds fly over the abbey they dip their wings in honour of Saint Hilda.

Read Also: The Haunting of The House of Hohenzollern, a ghost story about the hauntings by a nun.

And it was not the last time someone would claim to see her after her death. On dark nights in Whitby there have been reports of Hilda in the highest window on the northern side of Whitby Abbey when the winds comes blowing in from the sea. She is only seen for a few moments, looking out the window before she again disappears.

According to lore there are also two faiths that can befall you if you look into the well at the abbey at midnight. Those with a pure heart will see Hilda of Whitby, those without a pure will be taken by the devil. So perhaps seeing a ghost here is just a good omen?

Read More: Have a look at all of our ghost stories from churches and monasteries: Haunted Monasteries and Churches

We know little of what happened to Whitby Abbey after the death of Hilda, as Danish Vikings invaded it in 867, leaving it desolate for more than 200 years. It was first then the name Whitby was being used, meaning White City in old Norse.

The Picturesque Scenery: The ruins of Whitby Abbey in the sunset. There have been many legends about this abbey being haunted by the founding abbess, seen in the dark nights in one of the windows, the bells that used to hang in the abbey are sometimes heard ringing under the water where they sank./Wikimedia

After the invaders of the Norman, they made the Whitby Abbey to a Benedictine house for men that lasted to the Dissolution of Monasteries in 1539. A process that was often painted with the blood of the Catholics and where they stripped the churches, abbeys and other holy catholic places for its riches. In any case they stole the bells in Whitby Abbey and tried to take them to London, but on the way there, the ship sank together with the bells.

It is said that the ghost of St Hilda of Whitby appears in the ruins sometime as the bells can be heard ringing under the water were they sank. Now the ruins of the abbey stands at the top of East Cliff, looking out to the sea, missing its bells, its walls and its roof that are now only a story.

The Ghost of the Walled up Nun Haunting Whitby Abbey

But Hilda isn’t alone in the ruins of Whitby Abbey according to the local legend. The legend tells of another nun, a Constance De Beverley, who is haunting the walls of the ruined abbey.

Constance De Beverley was a young girl, but had already taken her vow to become a nun and devote herself to God and take no man for the rest of her life. But she broke them when she fell in love with a young knight and thereby breaking her celibacy. She was found out and the sisters in Whitby Abbey walled her inside the walls when she was still alive in the dungeon.

Haunted by the Ghost of its Nuns: Ruins of Whitby Abbey filled of history, myths and secrets. One of them is the story about the nun who according to legend became walled up inside the walls of the abbey because of her sins. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Could it be St. Hilda of Whitby who did it? A confirmed Saint that could have done something like burying one of her sisters inside of the walls? These were, as they’re called: The Dark Ages. The abbey had many abbesses over the years though, and who and when it was suppose to happen, is a bit unclear.

It is said that according to legend, if you walk around the ruins one can perhaps hear the screams of a woman in the wind and a plea for forgiveness and mercy. Perhaps it is coming from the walls? There has also reported a fleeting image of the ghost of a young girl, fleeing the abbey, trying to free herself for her eternal tomb in the walls.

Whether the story is true or not, it has certainly left an impression on those who heard it. The story of Constance De Beverley being condemned to be walled up in the abbey might have been the inspiration of Sir Walter Scott’s poem ‘Marmion‘ . It is about a nun of the same name that meets the same fate. Or perhaps the poem gave birth to a legend? Who’s to say?

Read More: This is not the only ghost story about people being buried inside of the walls. Also check out: The Finnish Maiden of Olavinlinna Castle, The Evil Bishop Against the Maiden in Love – A Ghost Story and O-shizu, Hitobashira — The Human Sacrifice of Maruoka Castle

Dracula Arrives In Demeter at Whitby

But perhaps today, Whitby is more known for its fiction than for its history. Today, every summer there is a performance of the story of Dracula at Whitby Abbey. Wonder what Hilda thinks of that.

But many things found in Dracula is drawn on the experience of the Whitby history, even the legend about a nun haunting hte abbey. In the book, Mina writes in her diary:

“Right over the town is the ruin of Whitby Abbey, which was sacked by the Danes … It is a most noble ruin, of immense size, and full of beautiful and romantic bits; there is a legend that a white lady is seen in one of the windows.”

Read Also: 5 Works With Vampires Before Dracula and An Introduction to the Horror Classics

In the book, Dracula arrives with a ship that beaches on the shores of Whitby. This actually happened with the Russian ship Dmitri: “The sequel to the strange arrival of the derelict in the storm last night is almost more startling than the thing itself. It turns out that the schooner is a Russian from Varna, and is called the Demeter. She is almost entirely in ballast of silver sand . . . “ (Bram Stoker, Dracula, 1897). Even the name, Dracula, Stoker found in the old library there.

Dracula in Whitby Town: The arrival of Dracula arriving on the ship Demeter has become a pretty iconic part of the lore. Bram Stoker became inspired to write his story when he visited Whitby Town and and saw the gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey and the grey shores on the English countryside.

Bram Stoker arrived and stayed at Mrs Vewazey’s Guesthouse in the summer of 1890. He was supposed to work on a new story, set in Styria, Austria with a character called Count Wampyr (thank you old public library of Whitby for giving the character another name than that). The Gothic literature drew on landscapes like this, and maybe not surprisingly, the ruins of Whitby Abbey, the desolated shores and the ghostly tales by the locals made it a perfect setting for what would become Dracula’s first encounter with England.

The Last Voyage of the Demeter

The interest for Dracula related movies and books continues to this day, and is based on the single chapter, the Captain’s Log, from Bram Stoker’s classic 1897 novel Dracula, the story is set aboard the Russian schooner Demeter and what happens before they arrive at Whitby Harbour.

The Last Voyage of the Demeter is scheduled to be released theatrically in the United States on August 11, 2023 and will help keep the legends of the Whitby haunting alive as well as creating its own vampiric lore there.

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References:

Whitby Abbey, An Essential Guide To Its Hauntings | Spooky Isles

Spooky Sunday; the ghost of Constance de Beverley | Whitby Uncovered