Ireland's Haunted Hostelries - for that special
holiday feeling ... why not drop into a pub with its own ghost? Or even
stay a night with things that go bump in the night? Ireland has a fair
share of ghostly happenings and finding a haunted
hostelry is not a difficult task. Add a dark night with rain lashing
the window panes and you are sure to feel some shivers running down your
spine. But caveat emptor - while you will have a good pint or night's rest in all mentioned houses, otherworldly apparitions cannot be guaranteed!
Mount Nugent, Co. Cavan
Situated
on the Southern side of Lough Sheelin (where you may fish for the brown
trout) Ross Castle is rumored to be haunted by several specters and
ghosts. An investigation in the Summer of 2006 provided no conclusive
tangible evidence - but the participants agreed that "there was
something". By the way ... the haunting is supposed to have started with
the tragic love story of Sabrina and Orwin. Honeymooning couples are
advised to avoid boat trips!
1 Prospect Square, Glasnevin, Dublin
This
pub from 1833 is named after the former landlord John Kavanagh - who
fathered no less than 25 children! Commonly known as "The Gravediggers"
due to its proximity to
Prospect Cemetery
and the frequently observed custom to order a pint by throwing a shovel
of earth from the cemetery against the pub's wall. The resident ghost
is said to be an elderly man in old-fashioned tweeds, sitting at the bar
and enjoying a pint ... until he disappears without trace.
3. The Castle Inn
5 Lord Edward Street, Dublin
Birthplace
of James Clarence Mangan (1803) and one of Michael Collins' favorite
watering holes ... with Mangan still hanging around today. The poet (his
best known work is "Roisin Dubh") died of cholera in 1849 after a
drug-fueled short life.
Today the temperature is said to dip and the
mood to darken whenever Mangan's ghost decides to drop into the Castle
Inn. Unfortunately he hasn't left any new poetry during his visits - and
the pub has been modernized.[/p
33 High Street, Donaghadee, Co. Down
This
is reputed to be the oldest original pub in Ireland - built in 1611 as
"The King's Arms". Your hostess Grace Neill will make the stay
memorable. Mainly because she died in 1916, aged 98. This does not stop
her frequenting the front bar, straightening glasses and furniture,
switching lights on and off. You may also hear her shuffling about on
the second floor and occasionally glimpse an old woman wearing Victorian
clothing in dark corners.
Renvyle, Co. Galway
Once
owned by Oliver St. John Gogarty and burned down by the IRA this hotel
has been completely rebuilt - which did not get rid of several ghosts
residing there. Even W.B.Years has witnessed the haunting, doors opening
and closing, groans, bedsheets flying off or sleepers being thrown out
of their beds and other unexplained happenings. Some female guests
undressing have even spotted voyeuristic ghosts in the mirror - at least
those shouldn't be vampires then!
274 Coast Road, Ballygally, Larne, Co. Antrim
This
(comfortably converted) castle from the 17th century has its own
"haunted room", home to the ghost of Lady Isabella Shaw. She was
imprisoned up here because she gave birth to a girl instead of a boy.
Broken-hearted Lady Isabella clutched her child and leapt to her death.
Today, Isabella's knocking at doors is said to disturb the occasional
guest ... but to be much less frightening than the wailing of a child
heard on other occasions.
20 Lower Bridge Street, Dublin
Said
to be Dublin's oldest pub (though the current building is not the
original one) and formerly used by "Bold" Robert Emmet for meetings. He
was hanged in September 1803 but still visits the "Brazen Head" in
spectral form. Usually taking a place in the corner and looking out for
enemies. Quite rightly so - today British tourists flock into the pub
near the Liffey and even Emmet's executioner was a regular here.
Kieran Street, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny
This
pub is named after Dame Alice Kyteler, the "Witch of Kilkenny" -
because it occupies the ground where her house once stood. She had
somehow managed to survive several wealthy husbands. Accusations of
wrongdoing and witchcraft followed. While Alice and her son bought their
freedom back, her servant Petronella was burned at the stake. It is
said that she is the female ghost haunting the premises, though more
snobbish folk insist that it is Alice herself.
6-8 High Street, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim
This
hotel used to be a tower erected by Reginald d'Aubin in the 13th
century. The family name changed via Dobyn to Dobbins and fair Elizabeth
Dobbins began an affair with a soldier. Which did not please husband
Hugh who cut both of them down with his sword. Ever since then Elizabeth
has been haunting the house ... caressing sleeping guest's faces,
disappearing into the big chimney or simply hanging out in the
reception.
10. O'Brien's Bar
Churchtown, Co. Cork
This
pub is not haunted! But it was one of the favorite haunts for actor
Oliver Reed, well-known as a great thespian and even greater drinker.
Since his last (CGI-facilitated) appearance in "Gladiator" Ollie Reed is
said to make occasional comebacks in Churchtown - he is buried in the
graveyard opposite O'Brien's Bar and every once in a while can be seen
merrily waving to drinkers leaving the pub late at night. Definitely not
a CGI ...
Source: About.com Go Ireland
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