An O'Carroll clan stronghold guarding the pass between the Slieve Bloom Mountains and the Munster border, Leap Castle is widely reputed to be the most haunted castle in Ireland, with a grim history including the 'Bloody Chapel' massacre. Severely burned in 1922 during the Civil War, it has since been partially restored by private owners who run tours.
Visiting Leap Castle
Yes, privately owned, tours by arrangement
"An O'Carroll clan stronghold guarding the pass between the Slieve Bloom Mountains and the Munster border, Leap Castle is widely reputed to be the most haunted castle in Ireland, with a grim history including the 'Bloody Chapel' massacre."
Where to stay nearby
The closest castle hotel is Kinnitty Castle, 14.78 km away in Kinnitty — First castle at the site destroyed in 1209 and rebuilt by the Normans in 1213; extended into its current neo-Gothic form in 1811 by the Pain Brothers, burned by Republican forces in 1922 and rebuilt in 1928.
