Sleep with a Ghost: Top 7 Haunted Castle Hotels in Ireland

For most travelers, a good hotel is one where they get a peaceful night's sleep. But for a growing number of visitors to Ireland, a silent night is a disappointment. They are looking for the creak of a floorboard, the sudden drop in temperature, or the scent of roses in an empty room.

Ireland is unique in that many of its most historic fortresses are not just ruins to be photographed; they are functioning 4-star and 5-star hotels. You can check in, have a gourmet dinner, and then sleep in the same room where a tragic Earl or a heartbroken Lady breathed their last breath centuries ago.

"I didn't believe the stories until I woke up at 3:00 AM. The heavy velvet curtains were swinging violently, but the window was shut tight. I spent the rest of the night in the lobby." — Sarah, guest at Kinnitty Castle

In this guide, we have curated the top haunted castle hotels in Ireland. These are not "tourist traps" with fake jump scares; these are genuine historic properties with well-documented spectral residents.

(This guide is part of our master hub Haunted Places in Ireland: The Ultimate Guide to Ghost Tours & Castles. If you are planning a road trip to visit them all, check our Dark Ireland Itinerary).

1. Kinnitty Castle (County Offaly)

The Ghost: The Monk of Kinnitty
The Vibe: Gothic, imposing, and genuinely eerie.

Located in the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, Kinnitty Castle is often cited as the most active haunted hotel in the country. It has a tumultuous history of burnings and battles.

• The Phantom: The most famous resident is the "Monk of Kinnitty" (Hugh). He is often seen standing in the corner of the Banquet Hall or walking the corridors in his hooded robe. Unlike other ghosts, he is said to be solid—guests often mistake him for a staff member until he dissolves into the wall.
• The Geraldine Room: If you are brave, book the Geraldine Room. This is the epicenter of activity, where guests report hearing a child crying and seeing a female figure at the foot of the bed.

Visitor Tip: The roads around Kinnitty are dark and winding. Hire a Private Driver to get you there safely so you can enjoy a whiskey in the Dungeon Bar without worrying about the drive home.

2. Ballyseede Castle (County Kerry)

The Ghost: Hilda
The Vibe: Luxurious but watchful.

Ballyseede is the only castle hotel in Tralee. It was the home of the Blennerhassett family for centuries.

• The Phantom: "Hilda" is the spirit of the castle. She is said to appear on the 24th of March each year, but her presence is felt year-round.
• The Sign: The most common report is the sudden, overwhelming smell of fresh roses in the main staircase and the library, even in the dead of winter when no flowers are present. Hilda is considered a "friendly" protector of the house, but she has been known to bang doors if she disapproves of renovations.

(Traveling to Kerry? Combine this stay with a visit to the Ring of Kerry, but beware of the "Fairy Forts" which we discuss in our folklore guide).

3. Castle Leslie Estate (County Monaghan)

The Ghost: Norman Leslie
The Vibe: Victorian grandeur and family secrets.

We mentioned Castle Leslie in our Accessible Hotels Guide for its luxury, but it also has a darker side.

• The Phantom: Norman Leslie, a member of the family, was killed in action during WWI. Weeks after his death, his mother saw him standing in the Red Room, checking through his letters. He smiled at her and faded away.
• The Grey Room: This is the most requested room for ghost hunters. It is notoriously cold, and guests often report the feeling of someone sitting on the edge of the bed, depressing the mattress.

4. Ross Castle (County Meath)

The Ghost: The Sabina
The Vibe: Intimate and intense.

Located on the shores of Lough Sheelin, this 16th-century tower house is now a B&B. It is famous for the tragic story of Sabina Nugent.

• The Story: Sabina was the daughter of the "Black Baron." She fell in love with a local boy, Orwin. They decided to elope by boat across the lake, but a storm hit, and they both drowned.
• The Haunting: Sabina is said to haunt the spiral staircase of the tower, still searching for her lost love. The owner often tells guests that if they wake up and see a face at the window, not to worry—it's just Sabina looking for Orwin.

Why You Need a Guide: Ross Castle is located in a very rural area known for its ancient "passage tombs" (older than the Pyramids). A Local Historical Guide can meet you at the castle and take you to the nearby Loughcrew Cairns to explain the neolithic connection to the spirit world.

5. Wilton Castle (County Wexford)

The Ghost: The Former Captain
The Vibe: Ruined beauty restored.

Wilton Castle was burned down during the Civil War in the 1920s and stood as a ruin for decades before being lovingly restored.

• The Phantom: Locals claim that on the anniversary of the fire, you can see lights flickering in the empty windows of the ruined wing. Inside the restored section, an old Captain is said to pace the upper landing, his heavy boots clumping on the wooden floorboards in the dead of night.

6. Renvyle House Hotel (County Galway)

The Ghost: The Poetic Spirit
The Vibe: Artistic and turbulent.

This hotel has a fascinating literary connection. It was once owned by Oliver St. John Gogarty and visited by W.B. Yeats.

• The Seance: Yeats himself held a seance here. He claimed the house was haunted by the ghost of a young boy who was "clutched by the throat" by an unseen hand.
• The Activity: Today, guests report their sheets being pulled off the bed and strange dragging noises in the corridors.

(Renvyle is on the Wild Atlantic Way. Check our Scenic Drives Guide for the best route to reach it).

7. The Lord Bagenal Inn (County Carlow)

The Ghost: The Banshee of Duckett’s Grove
The Vibe: A spooky stopover.

While not a castle itself, this hotel is the staging ground for visiting Duckett’s Grove, the most famous ruin in Carlow.

• The Connection: Duckett's Grove is supposedly the home of a Banshee (a wailing female spirit). Many visitors stay at the Lord Bagenal after a night tour of the ruin.
• The Haunting: Staff at the inn have reported glasses flying off shelves and the feeling of being pushed in the cellar.

Conclusion: Are You Brave Enough?

Staying in one of these hotels is not just about a bed for the night; it is about immersing yourself in the "thin places" of Ireland. It is about waking up in the middle of the night and wondering if that shadow in the corner is just a coat rack... or something else.

However, the scariest part of the trip shouldn't be the drive. These castles are often hidden down unlit, single-lane roads that can be treacherous in the dark.

Enhance Your Haunted Trip

Don't drive alone in the dark. Hire a Private Driver to transport you safely between these haunted locations, or book a Local Storyteller to meet you at the castle for a private history of the ghosts.

Find a Private Driver or Local Guide →