Linden clasp. Five amazing and mysterious castles in Ireland. Ghosts of the Bloody Chapel

To this day, in almost all the counties of Ireland, ancient castles have survived - witnesses of historical events. Some have been converted into first-class hotels, others host excursions for tourists, and many are ruins. The history of castles began in the 9th and 10th centuries, when the Celts began to build round watchtowers. With the arrival of the Normans, construction continued with the construction of large, square-shaped castles protected by moats.

Wonderfully preserved Kilkenny Castle is the main symbol of the city of the same name. Kilkenny is a small Irish town in terms of population on the banks of the River Nore. The castle was built by the first Earl of Pembroke, William Marshal, in the 12th century. At the end of the 14th century, the building was acquired by James Butler, and it served as the main residence of this family for almost 600 years. In 1967, a descendant of a noble family, the sixth Marquess of Ormonde Arthur Butler handed over Kilkenny to municipal authorities.

After the restoration of the monarchy in the 17th century, Butler, returning from Europe, was impressed by the European architecture he saw and rebuilt the castle in the style of modern mansions. Throughout its existence, Kilkenny has been reconstructed many times, and therefore its modern look combines different architectural styles.

The last restoration was carried out in 1969. At the entrance to the castle there are two statues: Hermes (a copy of the statue from the Vatican) and Diana, the goddess of the hunt. Near the western walls there is a beautiful garden with terraces and an old 17th century fountain that provides water supply to the castle. The halls are luxuriously decorated. In the 17th century Big hall in the front tower it was used to hold meetings of Parliament. For many centuries, Kilkenny Castle has hosted important state and historical events.

In the village of Blarney, County Cork, there is Blarney Castle. This is the third fortress built on this site. The first, dating back to the 10th century, was wooden. Then, at the beginning of the 13th century, a stone fortress was built. Over time, it collapsed, the ruler of Munster, Dermot McCarthy, built a third castle, which has survived to this day.

Queen Elizabeth I wanted to take possession of the castle in the 16th century. She sent her trusted man, the Earl of Leicester, to Blarney. He made attempts to discuss the surrender of the fortress. And each time, in honor of the royal envoy, McCarthy organized a feast or invented other events to stall for time. Instead of reporting to the queen, Leicester sent a long letter full of flowery expressions. So the queen never got the castle.

In the 17th century, Cromwell's commander, Lord Broghill, besieged the castle. The walls of the fortress suffered severe damage during the attack. When the enemy entered the castle, he saw that the inhabitants, taking with them all the most valuable things (including gold dishes), fled through a system of underground passages built under the structure - Badger Caves.

One of the passages led to the lake. The new owners of Blarney tried to drain the lake, thinking that the fugitives had thrown gold there. But, alas, there was nothing at the bottom.

Cormac MacCarthy, Dermot's ancestor, in 1314 from Munster sent 4,000 subjects as reinforcements at the Battle of Bannockburn, where Robert the Bruce fought the English king. Bruce won. As a token of gratitude, he gave Cormac McCarthy half of the Stone of Scone, which in ancient times served for the coronation of the kings of Scotland.

According to legend, whoever kisses a stone built into the wall will gain gift of eloquence. But performing the ritual is not so easy. In a special way, an assistant will help you with this, you should hang from the parapet and kiss the stone in an awkward position. Even though there are real health risks and risks, many people perform the ritual.

Historical Leap Castle, built in the 15th century by the O'Bannon family, is located in County Offaly. The O'Carroll clan were the legal owners of the castle.

The King of Kildare, Gerald Fitzgerald, made an unsuccessful attempt to capture the fortress in 1513. Three years later he repeated the attack, during which he partially destroyed it. The O'Carrolls restored the castle in 1557.

The castle has a terrible history of torture and murder. More than four hundred years ago, the fortress served as a powerful stronghold for a vicious family. They promised money to the soldiers so that they would kill on their orders. And when the mercenaries came for payment, they were treated the same way.

After the death of Mulroney O'Carroll in 1532, civil strife broke out in the clan. In the presence of the whole family, during a family mass on the altar of the chapel, one brother killed another brother, a priest. After this, the chapel was nicknamed “Bloody.”

Leap Castle is considered the most creepy and cursed castle in Ireland. The owners of the estate often invited their enemies to dinner to make peace, and then killed them right at the table. The dungeon (“oubliette”) was located under the floor of the dining room. The guests, not foreseeing anything bad, fell through a secret door into the underground. The victims fell to the bottom of the dungeon, strewn with sharp stakes. If someone fell past, the O'Carrolls left him to die.

This became known much later, during the restoration. The fortress was restored in the 1920s after a fire. In the dungeon, workers found a large number of bones: it took four carts to clean the Oubliette.

Locals They say that because of the horrors that happened in the castle, many ghosts now live in it. Elemental (“natural phenomenon”) - this is the name of the most terrible spirit and does not have a human appearance. People who have seen it say that it is a bent beast the size of a sheep, preparing to jump. Before the spirit appears, an unpleasant smell of sulfur and decaying organisms appears in the air. There are rumors that a mysterious light burns in the “bloody chapel” every night.

Nowadays Lip Castle is private property. The owners are carrying out restoration work and sometimes conduct excursions for tourists.

In County Waterford, Munster, there is Lismore Castle(translated as "large round fort"). The fortress in Lismore began its existence in 1185 - the time when Prince John erected a “castellum” on this site. John, being king of England, gave the castle to the church. Until 1589, the fortress was the residence of the archbishop. Then Sir Walter Raleigh, after renting it, bought the castle outright.

Raleigh was imprisoned in 1602 on charges of treason. Tower of London. He had to sell Lismore along with the surrounding lands to Richard Boyle. In 1627, the youngest son of the first Earl of Cork, a famous theologian and philosopher, the founder of modern chemistry, Robert Boyle, was born here.

The city and castle were sacked by the Catholic Confederacy during the Cromwellian Wars. Until the mid-18th century, the owners did not carry out any major restoration work. In 1753, William Cavendish, having married the only daughter of the Earl of Cork, took possession of the castle and land. He organized a thorough and expensive restoration of the castle. Cavendish was a patron and friend of Charles Dickens and William Thackeray. The Duke's entourage included the famous garden architect Joseph Paxton. He played an important role in the years 1840-1858 during the restoration modern look Lismore Castle.

In 1932-1944, the sister of the American choreographer Fred Astaire lived in the castle, being the wife of Lord Charles Cavendish. Returning to America after her husband's death, she visited Lismore every summer.

The Horsemen's Gate is the main entrance to the castle. Previously, two mounted sentries guarded this place, as evidenced by the niches for horses that have survived to this day. To the right rises the Tower of King John the Landless, to the left is the Tower of Carlisle, which is 245 feet high. The castle houses Sir Walter Raleigh's Tower. The flag tower is in the northeast corner. There is a "King James window" in the tower parlor. King James once dined at the castle. Approaching the window and seeing a deep, bright landscape, he immediately pulled back.

The garden at Lismore Castle is divided into two significantly different parts. The Upper Garden is a typical example of an enclosed garden of the 17th century. The terraces and external walls remained in their original form, the plants changed depending on the tastes of the inhabitants. The Lower Garden was founded in the 19th century. It is crossed by a majestic avenue of yew trees, probably planted in the 17th century.

The art gallery located in the west wing periodically hosts interesting exhibitions, various events. The castle is visited by more than 15,000 tourists every year during the warm season.

In County Meath, in the valley of the Boyne River, near the town of the same name, there is Slane Castle or Slane Castle. Built in the 18th century, the castle is the family estate of the Marquess of Conyngham.

Slane Castle is famous music concerts passing on its territory. The Irish press wrote in 2004 that "Slane is an internationally recognized forum." The gentle slopes near the castle create a natural amphitheater that can accommodate 80,000 people.

The founder of the rock concerts, which have been held on the slopes since 1981, is the owner of the castle, the Earl of the village of Tang - the eighth (awarded the title in March 2009) Marquess Henry Coningham. Since then, Coningham has been attracting world celebrities to these places. The castle has already been visited by stars of British show business and representatives of various movements from other countries.

A celebratory show took place at Slane Castle on 28 May 2011 to celebrate 30 years of concerts, headlined by Kings Of Leon. In addition to them, five groups performed that hosted the first show in 1981.

The most sensational and famous of the concerts were published and distributed on DVD. By reviewing them, you can enjoy popular and high-quality music, also get acquainted with the local beauties and amazing views picturesque castle.

Ireland – amazing country greenery, fun, dancing and stories about leprechauns, but there is also a fly in the ointment. There is a place in the country that is included in almost all ratings of the most terrible and mysterious places on the ground. This place is Leap Castle, which is located in County Offaly.

In appearance, this is an ordinary castle, of which there are many throughout Europe, but when you go inside, you will immediately feel a ghostly cold creeping across your skin. In that scary place During the restoration, a huge dungeon was discovered, which was simply strewn with stakes. Human bones there was so much in the dungeon that the workers had to transport 4 carts. Local residents avoid this place and claim that the castle is inhabited by ghosts of people who died here.

Leap Castle has stood on the ground for over 400 years. At that time, this place was the main chamber of torture and murder. Here lived the Okerrol family, who hired soldiers to kill people. After returning for their reward, these soldiers were also tortured and killed in prison.

All family members gradually moved away from each other, and one day the irreversible happened. The priest conducting the mass in the chapel was brutally murdered during the ceremony right on the altar by his own brother. This murder happened in front of the whole family. The room where everything happened is now called the “Bloody Chapel.” Since then, it is believed that the castle was enveloped by dark forces, and it became cursed.

One eyewitness claimed that one day he was walking near the castle and saw an incomprehensible silhouette in the uniform of a priest. The ghost approached him and suddenly disappeared.

The castle was destroyed in 1922 by soldiers. For a long time it stood without owners, but in 1991 there were people willing to buy this place. They turned out to be Sean and Anne Ryan. They restored it and live happily in this terrible place.

If you like stories about scary castles, then you will be interested. Details.

Leap Castle was built in the 15th century and for many centuries was a fortress that served as a stronghold for the entire county. The castle is located on the edge of a picturesque hill, from where you can see the entire surrounding area, which is undoubtedly very convenient for a defensive structure.

Throughout its existence, Lip Castle was destroyed several times, but was always subsequently restored.

At the beginning of the 20th century, it survived a serious fire, after which it has not been fully restored to this day.

Lip Castle is now privately owned and restoration work is ongoing. Sometimes they are allowed into the castle tourist groups, access is also open to lovers of mystical tours.

Leap Castle in Offaly, Ireland is said to be one of the most cursed castles in the world. The castle is truly infested with ghosts and demons.

Castle Leaps has a long history of murder and torture occurring here. Over 400 years ago, it was the stronghold of the powerful and vicious Ocarroll family. They hired soldiers to carry out murders on their orders, and when they came to them for payment, they themselves were killed, in the family castle of Ocarrol.

There was a special room in the castle. It was a small room without a floor that was located directly above the dungeon. If the Okaroll family needed to kill someone, they would invite the victim into this room, and when the person least expected it, he would be pushed in the back and fall down into a stone bag. The worst thing was that the victim fell into a dungeon that was filled with wooden spikes. So, the victim, pierced by a wooden spike, slowly died below, and the Okaroll family heard the screams of the unfortunate man echoing throughout the castle for a long time.

When workers were cleaning out the castle in the 1900s, they discovered this hidden dungeon. They were shocked to see hundreds of human skeletons lying there on top of each other. It took three crammed carts to remove the bones of all the dead.

At one time, Leap Castle was the site of a fierce struggle between two brothers of the Ocarroll family. One brother was a warrior, and the other a priest. Tensions between the brothers grew, and one terrible night, tragedy struck. The priest was celebrating Mass in the chapel when his brother suddenly burst in and attacked him.

He pierced his brother priest with a sword in the heart, and he died right on the altar, in front of the whole family. Fratricide itself is a terrible sin, and the fact that the murder took place during a religious ceremony made this act a real blasphemy. Since then, the room in which the priest died has been called the “Bloody Chapel”, and the castle is believed to have been cursed.

Several years ago, a man stood near the Bloody Chapel and saw a ghost who was dressed as a priest. The ghost approached him and then suddenly disappeared right in front of him.

In 1659, according to local legend, the daughter of the head of the Ocarroll family fell in love with an Englishman named Darby, who was being held captive by her family in a dungeon. She secretly brought him food, and in the end helped him escape. She ran away with her lover, but her brother got in the way. He raised the alarm and Darby immediately plunged his sword into him. The lovers jumped off the castle wall and disappeared. After the murder of her brother, the runaway girl became the heir to Leap Castle.

Years later, another girl lived in Leap Castle. Her father wanted her to marry the son of a rich gentleman, but she was in love with a poor guy from a local farm. When her father found them together, he killed the young man she loved. One night, while her father was sleeping, the girl came to his room and avenged her lover by killing him. The next day she threw herself from the castle wall and was killed. It is believed that her ghost wanders the castle every night, mourning her love.

One girl who visited the castle in our time saw a girl dressed in old clothes on the stairs. Then the girl disappeared into thin air. There was another case when a woman was walking around the castle and saw a girl who jumped off the castle wall. The woman screamed in horror, but the girl disappeared into the air before she could fall to the ground.

At the end of the 19th century, Jonathan and Mildred Darby lived in the castle. Mildred Darby became very interested in the history of the castle. She was especially interested in stories about ghosts and the castle's curse. She began to study the occult and even began to conduct magical rituals in the dungeon castle.

It is said that during her occult experiments, Mildred Darby accidentally awakened a ferocious demon. One night, she was standing in the gallery and felt a cold hand on her shoulder. She turned around and saw a terrible creature behind her. It was a small, hunched figure that was half human and half beast. He had a thin, black face, and instead of eyes there were only dark hollows. The terrible smell emanating from the creature was similar to the smell of a decomposed corpse.

After Mrs. Darby's experiments, Leap Castle was doomed. It burned down under mysterious circumstances and has been abandoned for more than 70 years. These days, locals in Offaly avoid visiting Leap Castle after sunset for fear of encountering the evil that lurks in its ruins.

Many heard eerie moans and crying at night, and saw lights in the upper part of the castle. At night, people saw the light come on in the Bloody Chapel, and thousands of candles were lit there at the same time. Some brave souls who dared to walk around the castle at night encountered an unknown ghost of a lady dressed in a red dress.

A ghostly hooded face was also seen. And terrible groans can still be heard from the room in the dungeon.

Ireland is an interesting and original country, full of legends and mysterious stories. Here myths mix with real life. Local residents say that there are still castles in Ireland that are haunted.

This magnificent one gothic castle located in Tullamore. It is surrounded by an ancient forest, which was a place for Druid rituals. The castle was built 2 centuries ago, and local residents claim that Harriet, the count's daughter, still lives there. That's why this place attracts ghost hunters.

It was built about 500 years ago by the ruling O'Donoghue clan, whose head had a beautiful daughter. One day she met a local guy and they fell in love. In order not to be separated, they decided to run away, but both died. They say that the ghost of a girl can be seen in the castle.

The castle was built in the 13th century. Several centuries later, it was owned by McQuillan, who wanted to marry his cousin's daughter, but the girl was in love with another man. The lovers tried to escape, but their boat sank and their bodies were never found. Visitors to the castle claim that inexplicable screams are heard here.

The history of this ancient castle began in the 12th century. Until recently, there was a hotel here, but in 2009 the old building was put up for sale. There is a legend about a count who had magical powers and one day suddenly disappeared. Local residents say that it appears every 7 years.

The castle was built in the 16th century. King Henry VIII gave it to Thomas Boleyn to win the hand of his daughter Anne. Second cousins ​​of Queen Elizabeth I lived in Clonony. Visitors to the castle sometimes encounter the ghost of a man who looks like a skeleton.

Based on materials from: unique-w.com