If you are game for a real haunt in an ancient castle that overlooks the beautiful Irish lake and then looking for a treat that is more rustic than modern, check yourself into what may be one of the most haunted castles in Ireland. Once lodged there, you will be sure to get a heartwarming bed and breakfast accommodation with a chance to explore the more spooky upper towers and rooms. Yes, you can check into them if you dare and if they are available for residence. People far and wide have come from all over and Ross Castle has been a hub for many of the paranormal investigators, occultists and mediums who will tell you that if you give the castle a chance, you will left with something to remember for the rest of your life. On occasion, it has been known that paranormal groups do engage investigations for those interested in exploring this rather ancient castle, so you will not be left without stirring some of its unseen guests to meet you. If it is what you want, try it. And if you follow the right spots, you may just find yourself facing sad Sabina and her nasty father, the Black Baron, or perhaps the ancient warrior known as the Myles O'Reilly, the Slasher. There was even one woman who claimed to have been made love to by the ghost of the Black Baron!
Managed by a couple and their friendly staff members, Ross Castle is one of the oldest castles in Ireland and they take a lot of pride preserving the stone walls and offering a chance for you to experience the kind of Irish life that occupied a castle dweller in old Ireland. Naturally, Ross Castle comes with some modern facilities including electricity and the like which were graciously added in the last century or so, but the general feeling most likely retained by its owners is to offer the living conditions of what could have been the sort of experience that would have been expected living in a castle in old Ireland. The castle also highlights an outstanding view facing one of the prominent lakes in Ireland known as the Lough Sheelin which offers an opportunity for fishing and sailing. The enveloping green that surrounds the castle is timeless making it an untainted countryside in Ireland, a sure winner with any nature lover looking for some quiet time in the country.
Ross Castle in Old Castle was one of the Irish strongholds and was the pride of the 12th Baron of Delvin who constructed the castle as a means of safeguarding against the Celtic Irish namely the O'Reillys. The story has it that the area where Ross Castle was built was also the stronghold of an earlier O'Reilly castle, and Nugent wanted Ross Castle to be a strong structure that would give him the view of watching his enemy's territory in the north. The Nugents were originally from Normandy and through marriage to Sir Hugh de Lacy's daughter, had acquired a substantial amount of Westmeath connections. It is known that the Nugents were an established family who soon acquired the affiliation of the Irish in later years. However, in their initial entry into Ireland, they were dedicated to the English Crown where much of their fortune and titles were owed to. In return, the Nugents had continued the foothold of the English in the new colony stretching as far as Lough Sheelin into the lands of the Breffni border. But over the years, their ties with Ireland grew stronger. Because they were Catholics, the Nugents began to affiliate themselves with the local Irish namely their one time enemies, the O'Reillys whose name eventually found a place in their family tree. When Oliver Cromwell led his attacks against the Irish, one of the attacks was held close to Ross Castle where the confrontation with Myles O'Reilly nicknamed the "Slasher" led to the latter's ultimate death. It was said that just before the Battle of Finea where he bravely defended the bridge in Finea in Co. Cavan with his one hundred men, O'Reilly had spent the previous night in Ross Castle. The English, angered by the offer of help rendered by the Nugents, had reduced much of Ross Castle to the ground. In the 19th Century, a descendant rebuilt the tower complete with the unique twisted stairs that are typical for the castle of the previous centuries, and other associated structures of Ross Castle like the cramped servants' quarters and the like. Today the castle remains a beautiful sight to be remembered for many more years to come, a perfect haunt for those looking for some quiet time in the untouched Irish countryside.
Ever heard about the ghosts of the Black Baron and his wandering shadow seeking to comfort his daughter Sabina after her terrible loss or have you heard about the terrible things the Black Baron has done ill treating the local Irish who were forced to pay tribute to his rule? Before you hear about what guests to Ross Castle have to say, you need to know about the famous ghosts which live in this castle. The Black Baron as one of the ghosts is often referred to as, is none other than the ghost of the English Lord Richard Nugent and he was a mean man known to be hard on his people with the ability to sanction death penalties on his people if he so desired. Naturally, he has exercised that option and many of those who have felt the shadows in the Upper Towers have said that it belongs to the Black Baron. But some have said that while his ghost is seen, it is usually around a female spirit whom they say is none other than his beloved daughter, Sabina. Her life has seen nothing but a tragic end.
When she was alive, Sabina used to take long walks that brought her into much contact with the local Irish folks. Many times, she had stolen walks without any keepers from the castle to watch over her. During these times, she would engage the interest of the villagers even though she knew her father was staunchly against the Irish people at that time having colluded with the English against them. It was in one of these sessions that she met her love who turned out to be the son of an O'Reilly chieftain, Orwin. At that time, the Nugents and the O'Reillys were enemies and so, this friendship would have been frowned upon. But Orwin and Sabina met secretly and they were hopelessly in love with each other even realizing that the strain in relationship between their parents were a misfortune they could do without.
Over time, both lovers knew they had to work something out or face the prospect of never being together ever again. The relationship was taboo much like the story of Romeo and Juliet. And so for Orwin and Sabina, nothing meant more than spending their lives together and they began hatching the perfect escape plan. The fights and wars between their people were shirked off as silly battles not their own. For them, love transcended everything and they were determined to be together somehow. The two made plans to leave their homes so they could spend their lives together without the fear of reprisals from either of their family. Orwin and Sabina quickly plotted for ways to escape and one of those ways was to sail away in a boat and this they did. However, a terrible storm not expected for that time came to bear on them and both lovers were taken by surprise. The two struggled to take control of the boat but the wind from the west capsized the boat. Sabina was rescued but Orwin's body was found in the lake. He was dead having hit his head on some rock. Sabina was rescued and taken back to her quarters in Ross Castle. There she was given all the care she needed and left to recuperate. She never awoke until three days later and that was when the bad news was told to her. She was never the same again. She locked herself up in the tower refusing to eat or drink, moaning the loss of the man she loved. The story goes that when she fell into a deep sleep, she never awoke and her ghost is said to haunt Ross Castle till today.
The two lovers are said to be buried in a mound close to the castle. The stories that are told today say that while Sabina's ghost has returned to Ross Castle, Orwin's ghost has returned to his own home. There are some stories told which differ from the above. Many also say Sabina had died seeing Orwin's body laid out in the chapel while some say she locked herself and starved until she died in Ross Castle. Regardless, Sabina Nugent's spirit can sometimes be heard screaming in anguish at the knowledge that her Orwin has been lost. The screams are thought to occur at about 3 to 4 am in the right room close to the back of the castle. Sometimes, there are unnaturally cold winds which occur in the areas and those are explained by the presence of the ghosts of Sabina and her father, better known as the Black Baron.
Those who have stayed in this hotel have claimed that the Upper Towers and the Green Room are extremely haunted, spine-chilling maybe and simply provoke the imagination to expect the most unexpected. Some have seen entities walking around taking a peek at guests who have taken up the offer to stay for the night while the sounds have been told of heavy banging and knocking in the castle sometimes happening into the early hours of the morning. These knocks and bangs are so profound even in the other parts of the castle like the hallway that many who have stayed overnight have left the next day, but most guests claim that these unearthly sounds are heard outside Sabina's room.
Just for the record, Ross Castle is thought to be one of the most haunted castles in Ireland and much paranormal activity has been reported here from voices of children to the sightings of resident spirits, some nice and some not because one visitor had reported being scratched by a nasty female spirit whom a medium had said seemed to show interest in his call for fun. At that time it happened, guests could see the scratch get deep leaving blood tracings where she (the entity) had then continued to scratch on. So the lesson here is never humor a spirit to challenge you while you are at Ross Castle because you do not know which ancient one walks by you! Some have said there are many spirits which live in Ross Castle other than the more celebrated ghosts of Sabina and her father Richard Nugent.
Many guests have explored this place and spent mind boggling sessions trying to decipher photographs filled with strange orbs and with faces appearing from nowhere. Some have even disputed that they did not take some of the pictures in their possession claiming they were not the ones who clicked the button on their cameras for certain locations done in the castle. So, just who did those clicks? One can only wonder! But if you are looking to stay in this spooky castle, you may have some treat getting the haunted rooms if they are available. Ghost hunters eager to seize this opportunity may welcome that thrill because some say that there are strange sounds and laughs to be caught in this castle, and many have spoken of ancient spirits which live in the walls of this lovely castle even though the castle itself was rebuilt not so long ago. Visitors have also heard music, sometimes shrill whistle sounds and many times music played on what seemed to be a harpsichord. The music seems clear enough and easily heard when the place is quiet, and for those who try to capture their films on paper, many have said that there are orbs which show on the outside of the castle, sometimes one orb trailing the other, and other orbs noticed where the horse head stays outside the castle. There are some guests who claim to have captured strange blue lights on film and no one can account for what those blue lights could be. If you are wondering if spirits have been caught on film, the answer could be a maybe. Most capture something peculiar signs of the paranormal like orbs, lights and even pictures appearing from nowhere. But there are guests who have claimed to see a woman and sometimes children appearing from nowhere. The living room is said to bear the presence of spirits sometimes and the upper tower rooms are especially haunted by shadows and forms which cannot be explained. They are of not cast by humans if that's what you're wondering.