Welcome to the mystical realm of Charleville Castle, a captivating Gothic masterpiece nestled in County Offaly, Ireland, just a stone's throw from the charming town of Tullamore and the tranquil River Clodiagh. Often hailed as one of Ireland's most exquisite castles, Charleville brims with stories that span centuries.
Imagine this: The year is 1641, and a man named Thomas Moore decides to lay the foundation of a mansion on this very soil. Fast forward to his grandson Charles Moore, the Lord of Tullamore, who holds the estate until his death in 1674. Then the estate makes its way to Charles William Bury, who—get this—becomes the 1st Earl of Charleville in 1806. Feeling ambitious, he commissions a dazzling new castle on the estate in 1798, crafted by the genius architect Francis Johnston. By 1812, voilà! A castle like no other is born.
But here's where it gets intriguing: The castle didn't always have residents cosily tucked inside its grand walls. Nope, due to some financial hiccups, the castle would go vacant for stretches of time. And each time it reopened? A new dash of splendour was added. Take, for example, the phenomenal ceiling in the dining room, a masterstroke by none other than William Morris. Oh, and did I mention Lord Byron threw some legendary shindigs here? Yeah, it was THE place to be.
However, all this grandeur couldn't save it from falling into disrepair. After 1912, when Colonel Howard Bury moved out, the castle was more or less abandoned. By 1968, even the roof had bid its farewell. But don't worry, this tale has heroes—restorers like Michael McMullen, Constance Heavey Seaquist, and Bonnie Vance stepped in during the 70s to breathe life back into Charleville. Thanks to them and a Charitable Trust, the castle is on its way back to its former glory.
Hold onto your EVP recorders, folks, because Charleville Castle is more than just an architectural marvel—it's a hotbed for the paranormal. Dubbed one of the most haunted castles in all of Europe, this place is the VIP lounge for spectres and spirits. Seriously, it's been the star of spine-chilling shows like "Most Haunted," "Scariest Places on Earth," and "Ghost Hunters International." and of course, our very own "Spooked Ireland" Episode 1. So, who's the resident ghost giving everyone the heebie-jeebies?
Meet Harriet, an eight-year-old spirit with a story as tragic as they come. She's the youngest daughter of the third Earl of Charleville, and she met her untimely end back in April 1861. She tumbled down the grand staircase, and that was it—her laughter, her screams, her very essence got trapped within these stone walls. But don't take my word for it; people from all walks of life have heard her singing in the dead of night. Some even claim to have caught her on camera—a fleeting mist, a shadow, or even an ethereal little girl in a blue and white dress, golden curls adorned with blue ribbons.
And it's not just amateur ghost hunters making these claims. Top-tier paranormal investigators and psychics have walked these haunted halls, verifying what many have suspected: Charleville Castle is supernaturally charged. Take Terri Dale-Kearney, the castle's events coordinator. She's been on the ground for nearly two decades and says one room has "more activity" than others. People have spent the night only to find themselves mysteriously locked in till the afternoon. Foot-tickling ghosts? Check.
Oh, and get this. Once upon a Halloween, a guest woke up to find a "large, older blonde woman" beside him, only to blink and find his actual girlfriend there. Talk about strange bedfellows!
Alright, brace yourselves, because tonight's premiere episode of Spooked Ireland is going to knock your socks off—or should I say, make them levitate? That's right, we've set the stage for some jaw-dropping revelations at none other than Charleville Castle, and you won't want to miss it!
Joining me in this paranormal rodeo are the ever-intrepid Chris Fleming, a medium and researcher who needs no introduction, and the fabulous Vogue Williams, who's on a mission to unveil the spookiest mysteries of her native Ireland. Armed with cutting-edge methodologies, world-class parapsychology from Evelyn Hollow, and a dash of audacity, we're about to lift the veil on what—or who—roams the hallways of this iconic castle.
So set your reminders and pour that glass of wine; the clock is ticking down to 9 pm tonight (Friday, 29th September 2023). As the first episode of our new series unfolds, I can guarantee one thing: Charleville Castle is as breathtakingly beautiful as it is hauntingly mysterious. Buckle up, folks, because Spooked Ireland is kicking off, and it promises to be a rollercoaster ride straight from the heart of the Emerald Isle!
Spooked Ireland | Charleville Castle | 29th September 2023 on Really Channel & Discovery+
Comments