If you’re looking to book a stay at a haunted hotel in Ireland then you’re in for a treat. Read on below to see which castles & hotels in Ireland we, at Haunted Rooms recommend to give you a truly ghostly experience…

1. Ballyseede Castle, Tralee

Ballyseede Castle Hotel Tralee Ireland
Tralee, Ballyseede, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland

A 16th-century castle fitted with 21st-century amenities, Ballyseede Castle offers a world-class hotel experience in a historic and private setting.

However, like most historic castle stays, Ballyseede is no stranger to the dark and paranormal.

Built as the chief garrison for the Fitzgerald family, a family whose resistance to the Crown led to the Geraldine Wars, this haunted hotel has been the site of tragedy and bloodshed.

Guests of the elegant castle frequently experience the friendly ghost of Hilda, an apparition who appears every year on March 24th. Single Rooms start as low as €140 (£120), and €192 (£165) for a family stay. Includes breakfast and taxes.

Stay at Ballyseede Castle

2. The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin

Haunted Shelbourne Hotel Dublin Ireland
27 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin, Ireland

A 5-star, luxury hotel located in the heart of downtown Dublin, the Shelbourne Hotel boasts over 200 years of Irish history. That history includes the life and death of a little girl named Mary Masters.

Guests have reported hearing her mournful cries in the middle of the night, with some even feeling her presence at the foot of their bed.

The Shelbourne offers an array of amenities such as Afternoon Tea, a tradition first introduced in the mid-19th century. Smaller Guest Rooms start at €300 (£260) a night, with Suites starting at €1,000 (£865). Both include breakfast.

Stay at The Shelbourne Hotel

3. The Maldron Hotel, Cork

Haunted Maldron Hotel Cork City Ireland
John Redmond Street, Cork City | Co. Cork, Ireland | T23 A9TF

Initially built as an Infirmary Hospital in 1720, the Maldron Hotel in Cork is haunted by numerous ailing spirits. Looming at the centre of Cork’s cultural quarter, the most well-known ghost of the Maldron Hotel is the apparition of a woman who died long ago during childbirth.

Also used to treat wounded soldiers during the war, the most active space in the Maldron lies between Rooms 318 and 319.

Between the walls stands a secret, now closed-off room, said to be a paranormal hotspot. Double rooms start at €99 (£85) a night, with Family rooms at €129 (£110). Includes tax.

Book a Room at Maldron Hotel

4. Kinnitty Castle, Offaly

Haunted Kinnity Castle Hotel Offaly Ireland
Kinnitty Castle, Birr, Kinnitty, Co. Offaly, Ireland

Located at the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, the gothic grandeur of Kinnity Castle has graced its surrounding landscape for over 800 years.

The first rendition of this picturesque haunted hotel was first built in the year 1209.

Throughout its varied history, it has been home to an Abbey, it has been burnt to the ground, and it has been restored to its current accommodations.

The most famous spirit to wander the halls at Kinnity is a friendly monk. He is said to interact with both guests and staff alike.

For a haunted night, book the Geraldine or Elizabeth bedrooms. Both are said to be host to numerous unseen entities. Double Rooms are available in May ‘21 starting at €180 (£156).

Book a Room at Kinnitty Castle

5. Ballygally Castle Hotel, Antrim

Haunted Ballygally Hotel Antrim Northern Ireland
Ballygally Castle, Coast Rd, Ballygalley, Larne BT40 2QZ

Perhaps the most famous of all haunted castles in Ireland to stay. The resident ghost of this 17th-century castle has made Ballygally her home for over 400 years.

Lady Isabella Shaw, the wife of Lord James Shaw, died after a great fall from the castle’s highest window following the birth of her baby daughter.

Was she driven to madness by her husband’s disappointment after not producing a male heir? Or, was she pushed? Either way, the graceful spirit of Lady Isabella is said to remain on the land.

Guests can even spend a night in the very tower room wherein she met her tragic demise.

Located along the Antrim Coast, Ballygally Castle Hotel is the perfect romantic setting for your Northern Ireland stay.

Stay at the Ballygally Hotel

6. Clontarf Castle, Dublin

Haunted Clontarf Castle Hotel Dublin Ireland
Castle Ave, Clontarf East, Dublin 3, D03 W5NO, Ireland

Vikings, composers, painters and authors have all been linked to Clontarf Castle in Dublin since its beginnings in 1172.

Stone walls and suits of armour surround the historic lobby, where guests gather and relax around the ancient fireplace. But, there is more than hospitality rooted in the foundations of this haunted hotel.

Restless spirits are said to occupy guest rooms, tinkering with telephones and other electronics in the middle of the night, even turning on showerheads.

Some have suggested these active ghosts are those of Vikings who had lived and fought on the land.

Stay at Clontarf Castle

7. Blackwater Castle, County Cork

Blackwater Castle County Cork Ireland
Connaberry, Castletownroche, Co. Cork, Ireland

Looking to rent an entire haunted castle hotel for your next private celebration? Then Blackwater Castle, a spot which is said to have been in existence for some 2,500 years, is the right haunted holiday for you.

Winner of numerous hospitality, tourism, and food awards, Blackwater brings history to life in a luxurious 5-star setting. But, its expansive, panoramic views are not the only thing here that leave guests feeling breathless.

The most famous spirit to linger along the property is that of Lady Roche, a woman killed for defending the property in the year 1650.

For a chance to encounter the spirit of Lady Roche and others who have died defending its honour, book a room at the haunted Blackwater Castle.

Blackwater Castle Accommodation

8. Ross Castle, County Meath

Haunted Ross Castle County Meath Ireland
Ross Demesne, Rosscahill, County Galway, Ireland, H91 K25N

This historic castle turned charming B&B is home to a ghostly father-daughter duo.

Sabina, a young woman tortured by grief after losing the love of her life, died at Ross Castle of self-inflicted starvation. Her ghost is known to appear before guests in the very same bedroom where she passed hundreds of years ago.

Sabina’s father, known simply as the ‘Black Baron’ continues his watch of Ross Castle as well, as ill-tempered in death as he was in life. The castle is currently closed due to COVID restrictions, but inquiries can be made through their website.

Book Ross Castle

9. Kilkea Castle, County Kildare

Haunted Kilkea Castle County Kildare Ireland
Castle View, Kilkea Demesne, Castledermot, Co. Kildare, R14 XE97, Ireland

Dating back to the year 1180, Kilkea Castle is not only known as one of the oldest castles in Ireland, it is also celebrated as a place of alchemy and black magic.

The reason this castle is steeped in mystical fascination is the work of the 11th Earl of Kildare, known affectionately as the ‘Wizard of Earl’.

Get your timing right and you might have a chance encounter with the sorcerer during one of his visits to the castle. These sightings only happen once every seven years though, so plan your travel accordingly.

Book Kilkea Castle

10. Cabra Castle, County Cavan

Haunted Cabra Castle County Cavan Ireland
Carrickmacross Rd, Cormey, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, A82 EC64, Ireland

A stunning fortress seated upon 100 acres of lush parkland, Cabra Castle is known as one of the most famous haunted castles in Ireland.

A late 17th-century charmer, busy with weddings and events, not every story to come from Cabra Castle is a romantic one. Like that of a servant girl named Sarah who fell in love with the son of the estate owner.

After Sarah became pregnant, the head of the house ruthlessly ripped her from her chambers, hanging her from a nearby bridge in the middle of the night.

Sounds of a baby crying can sometimes be heard near the spot where she was killed.

Stay at Cabra Castle

11. Wilton Castle, County Wexford

Haunted Wilton Castle County Wexford Ireland
Bree, Y21V9P9 Enniscorthy, Ireland

Animal lovers have spotted a mysterious black dog, patrolling the grounds at Wilton Castle. Now a historic getaway for locals and visitors alike, this 13th-century fortress is host to strange, unexplained occurrences.

Alongside the four-legged phantom, the ghost of Harry Alcock also makes an appearance at Wilton Castle on the anniversary of his death. Some have even claimed to witness him ride away in his very own death carriage.

This architectural triumph can be booked for private events, weddings or a spooky weekend away with one-bedroom suites starting at €165.00 (£143)  and up to €400.00 (£346) a night for three-bedroom apartments.

Book a Room at Wilton Castle

12. Castle Leslie Estate, County Monaghan

Haunted Castle Leslie County Monaghan Ireland
Castle Leslie Estate, Glaslough, Co. Monaghan, Ireland

The Castle Leslie Estate may be a short car ride from Dublin, but once you arrive you will enter another world entirely. That world belongs to the Leslie family who has owned the property since the 1660s.

The members of the Leslie family not only run and operate the Castle Leslie, now a luxury hotel, they also haunt it. Now deceased family members, Norman and Constance Leslie are said to frequently appear in two distinct rooms- the Red Room and the Mauve Room.

If you are up for a night of strange noises, shadowy figures, and perhaps a levitation, then the Castle Leslie Estate is your next haunted stay.

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