Charleville Castle is a superb castle in County Offaly, Ireland. Built near the forest in the village of Tullamore, the building is said to have remarkable architecture… but is best known for its spooky ghost stories! This magnificent castle is said to be one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the country, making it well worth a visit!
Escalier de Charleville castle
Château de Charleville was built in 1798 by architect Francis Johnston for Charles William Bury, Count of Charleville. It took over 14 years to complete the project.
But the reward is immense: the neo-Gothic edifice immediately impresses the region with its impressive dimensions, but also with its great finesse, its exterior sculptures, its crenellated towers and its medieval inspiration.
The castle itself is a veritable concentrate of Irish craftsmanship: stone carving, joinery, cabinetmaking, glazing… The ensemble is magnificent and authentic, and has survived to the present day!
However, the château was not always lived in, due to a lack of resources on the part of the owners… But the Charleville castle has been steadily improved, gradually adding new parts…
The castle remained uninhabited from 1912, when Colonel Howard Bury moved to Belvedere House in County Meath.
Restoration work was organized in 1968. In particular, the roof has been completely redone.
Today, Château de Charleville is managed by Dudley Stewart, with day-to-day management provided by volunteers.
Tours are available to discover the architecture of the building…
But above all, Charleville Castle is famous for being the most haunted place in Europe! There are many scary stories about the castle!
The building has even been featured on TV shows such as Spooked, Most Living Haunted Living TV, Ghost Hunters International and Fox Scariest Places on Earth. Numerous paranormal investigators have reportedly detected mysterious and disturbing activity in the building!
The owners of the property claim to witness paranormal phenomena on an almost weekly basis! Among the strangest occurrences, owner Bonnie Vance regularly hears the voices of children playing on the monumental staircase on the top floor… What’s more, her 14-year-old daughter once found herself locked in a closet. The door simply slammed shut on her, even though no one was around… In addition, doors would magically open again and again, even though they were locked… There are dozens of such stories. Other paranormal occurrences are also thought to have taken place at Charleville castle… without any explanation. Visitors have also observed inexplicable balls of light moving through the castle. Bonnie Vance’s little boy, aged 4, also suddenly disappeared from the building. Despite hours of searching, his parents were unable to find him… Until he was spotted descending the château’s grand staircase… He then explained: “Don’t worry, Mum, two children held my hand as I went down”. Admit it: it’s spine-chilling, isn’t it?
To better understand the history and atmosphere of Charleville castle, it’s important to look at the legends that surround it… The castle is said to have a number of scary and macabre tales, potentially justifying the strange voices and apparitions of everyday life. The main legend concerns the story of a little girl called Harriet, who is said to have been the daughter of the 3rd Count of Charleville. She died tragically at the age of seven in 1861 after falling down the castle stairs. Newspaper clippings attest to her death, constantly fueling the imagination surrounding the château. Her ghost is said to have haunted the château ever since.
You could even feel its presence on the stairs… At night, the locals could still hear his laughter, cries and children’s songs! Terrifying, isn’t it?
But Harriet wouldn’t be the only ghost reigning over the place. Harriet’s uncle, Henry Walter, also died of influenza at the age of 7. Ill, he was taken from London to the castle, where he died.
The 1st Count of Charleville would also still be present. His ghost was reportedly seen in the castle tower, silently watching over his property.
Another story concerns a tree on the château’s estate: the King Oak. According to local belief, anyone who falls from the tree is a harbinger of the coming death of a member of the Bury family, who own the château…
Last but not least, the surrounding forest also has its share of scary stories, from mysterious druid ceremonies to apparitions of all kinds.
It’s the stuff of many theories, and attracts thousands of ghost-hunters and architectural marvels every year!
What about you? Dare to take the plunge and visit the castle?
If you’re not one to shy away from ghost stories, then you’ve come to the right place! As soon as you arrive, you’ll be able to admire the majesty of the castle and its enchanting setting. Surrounded by a dense yew forest, Charleville Castle offers an atmosphere that oscillates between the magical and the terrifying, especially on foggy days. Stepping inside its thick walls, you’ll discover exceptional Gothic architecture, with carved ceilings, stained-glass windows and spiral staircases worthy of the greatest fairy tales. The grand ballroom, with its high ceilings and ornamental details, will give you an idea of the splendor in which 19th-century Irish aristocrats lived. One of the highlights of the visit is, of course, the huge staircase where young Harriet is said to have died. The tour guides, often experts in paranormal stories, will be happy to tell you anecdotes and testimonials from former visitors who are said to have sensed inexplicable presences. For the more adventurous, night tours are organized, allowing you to explore the castle in a different light (or rather, a different night), with thrills guaranteed.
Adresse :
GPS :
Tour duration :
3.59/5 (63 votes)
