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IRELAND'S
HAUNTED CASTLES TOUR
| Ireland
is the realm of legend and mystery —Cu Chulainn,
Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the Tuathau De Danaan who later
went underground in the fairy mounds to become "Na
Daoine Sidhe" the Good Folk. It is also littered
with castles and old houses that are traditionally
the home of ghosts. With Leap Castle considered to
be the most haunted castle in Ireland and Glin Castle
with its poltergeists by the banks of the Shannon
you may see a "Phuca" or two. It will take
a brave soul to venture amidst cold drafts, shrieks
and bumps in the night!!! This is a fantastic adventure
tour absorbing some of Ireland most beautiful scenery,
culture and amazing historic past along the way, while
staying at two of Ireland most esteemed and luxurious
property’s, Kinnitty Castle and Glin Castle.
Day By Day Itinerary |
LOCAL
SITES INCLUDE:
Kilkea Castle, Kinnitty Castle, Leap Castle,
Charleville Forest Castle, Killua Castle, Clonony
Castle, Glin Castle, Poulaphuca, Ballyvaughan.
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Day
1: Kinnity Castle
Arrive Dublin Airport and pick up your rental car. Drive
to the Offaly with a stop en route in Kildare to visit
Kilkea Castle, built in 1180 and the oldest inhabited
Castle in Ireland. Local folklore maintains that the castle
is haunted by the ghost of Earl “the Wizard”
Gerald and the presence of “evil” symbolized
in the famous Evil Eye Stone located there. Continue onto
Kinnitty Castle for your 4-night stay. The castle was
destroyed in 1209 and was later rebuilt by the Norman's
in 1213. It’s said to be haunted by the 11th Earl
of Kildare.
Day
2: Leap Castle
If you dare, you can visit the most haunted castle
in Ireland – Leap Castle. Leap Castle certainly
is home to many secrets of a dark and mysterious past.
Over 400 years ago in what is now known as the "Bloody
Chapel" a shocking murder occurred between one
brother and his priest brother during high mass. Another
source of evil at Leap Castle is a hidden ubliet (a
dungeon) located off the bloody chapel. It was a small
room with a drop floor. Those who were forgotten within
this room suffered unimaginable pain and misery until
their death. Because of its extremely bloody history,
Leap Castle has always had a reputation of being haunted,
a reputation so strong local people avoided it at
night. Locals have described seeing the windows at
the top of the castle "light up for a few seconds
as if many candles were brought into the room"
late at night. |
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Day
3: Charleville Forest Castle & Killua Castle
Today you'll visit Charleville Forest Castle, complete
with Druid’s Initiation Circle and dark, spooky
catacombs and a tower which Charles Bury, First Earl of
Charleville still walks amongst the living. Many orbs
“ghostly balls of light” have been spotted
throughout the castle to remind us all that we are not
alone.Drive north to Westmeath to visit Killua Castle,
one of the most romantic ruins in the country. Built in
1780, and later converted to the Gothic style, it was
owned by the ancestors of Lawrence of Arabia, who visited
it himself. A white phantom was said to encircle the ruins,
and a hideous, evil-eyed figure was often sighted within
the walls.
Day
4: Clonony Castle
Visit Clonony Castle, which dates back to the 16th
century and has a connection with Anne Boleyn, two
of whose cousins are buried in a cave beneath the
castle. The ghost that people see is that of a man,
seen standing on top of the tower in old-fashioned
dress. His identity remains a mystery, but he is still
regularly seen by passing motorists at night. |
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Day
5: Glin Castle, Glin, Co.Clare
Drive to Clare County for your 2-night stay at Glin Castle,
home of the knights of Glin for the past 700 years. The
house boasts elaborate plasterwork. The castle was the
home of the Knights of Glin from about 1260 until 1642,
when a house was build near the site of the present castle.
The English took the castle and many of the defenders
of the castle were either killed or drowned in the Glencorbry
River. The ruins of this castle are still visible. Souls
of those killed during the hundreds of turbulent years
of Glin Castle’s existence have left a lasting impression.
Day
6: Poulaphuca
Today,
you can visit Poulaphuca . This dolmen is on the limestone
uplands of the Burren in north Clare, a few kilometres
south of Ballyvaughan. On the same area there are over
fifty wedge tombs. The word Poulaphuca means 'The Cave
of spirits'. Pooka, or Phuca, is a term used generically
in Ireland to denote spirits or fairies, although the
word refers specifically to a particular fairy which usually
appears in the shape of a black goat. Pooka had the power
to curse human enemies by giving them a humpback. At Halloween,
Irish children wear masks and fancy dress to masquerade
as the Pooka and demand sweets or fruits from householders.
Day
7: Depart Shannon
After a leisurely breakfast prepare for your return to
the U.S.
TOUR
INCLUDES:
- Confirmed Reservations at “Haunted” Country
Castles for 6 nights
- Full English Breakfast each day
- Self-Drive Car with unlimited mileage, tax, CDW &
theft insurance
- All taxes and service charges
- Concierge service in Ireland while traveling
- Touring Map of Ireland
- Travel Documents and Personalized Itinerary
Dest-Ir
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