Ballyseede Castle, Co. Kerry, Ireland

The many landlords of time gone by are said to haunt the corridors of this delightful castle. However, on the 24th of March every year the ghost of Hilda is said to appear. The residents in 1998 vacated their rooms on the 24th in sheer fright. They were reportedly last seen asking to rent a book from the local library on ghosts. They said to the librarian they had witnessed a spirit woman. This is the first time anyone has been reported to be scared of the ghost. The past residents knew the ghost was friendly and looked on her kindly.

About

Ballyseede Castle offers you the chance to appreciate history, while relaxing and enjoying a break from hectic life. This history can be experienced by all hotel guests who wish to spend a night in one of the hotel’s historical and richly designed luxurious bedrooms – you may even meet our resident friendly ghost Hilda!

Guests can enjoy the beautiful scenery, the elegant and spacious accommodation, sample fine food and wine in the Dining Room, and hear the stories and enjoy the craic in the Library Bar. Bedrooms are elegant and spacious and come in a large variety from single to mini suite to deluxe. They have been totally refurbished and are individually designed and decorated with taste and imagination. The bedrooms offer a magnificent view of the grounds of the castle. All our bedrooms are en-suite with direct dial phone and satellite television. There are also many gracious public areas available for the guests use throughout the castle.

The Residents Lounge and the Pembroke Room, both drawing rooms, are decorated with cornices of ornamental foliage plaster and adorned by marble fireplaces. A magnificent carved oak mantelpiece also ornaments the Library Bar. The Castle is just 3 miles outside Tralee, 8 miles from Kerry Airport and 75 miles from Shannon Airport.

Brief History

Ballyseede Castle was the chief garrison of the Fitzgerald’s family, Earls of Desmond. This family was famous for not swearing their allegiance to the crown, which resulted in wars known as the Geraldine Wars. These wars were fought intermittently spanning 3 centuries, but came to an end with the beheading of Gerald, the 16th Earl, in the Demesne of Ballyseede. His head was later showcased in a cage on London Bridge.

The castle along with 3000 acres was then later given on lease to Robert Blennerhassett, the lease being a that red rose be presented every year on Midsummer’s Day. The Blennerhassets then occupied the castle until 1966.

Features

Luxurious Accommodation
Award Winning Restaurant
Library
Bar
En-suite Bedrooms
Direct Dial Telephone
Satellite Television
Residents Lounge

Things to do

Ballyseede Castle is located on the on the N21, Tralee to Limerick / Killarney road. On the gateway to the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula A great location to visit the South-West and the a favoured area to begin the journey along the West coast to Galway.