Historic & Haunted Leap (Lep) Castle

Leap Castle is a historic castle located in County Offaly, Ireland. The castle has a long and fascinating history that spans several centuries and includes stories of murder, betrayal, and haunting. It was originally built by the O'Bannon clan in the 13th century and then taken over by the O'Carroll clan in the 16th century.

The O'Carroll clan was known for their violent and ruthless behavior. It is said that they built a secret dungeon beneath the castle where they would torture and kill their enemies. This dungeon, later discovered in the 1900s, is now known as the "Bloody Chapel."

Leap Castle has gained a reputation as one of the most haunted places in Ireland. According to legend, the castle is haunted by the ghost of a young girl named Emily, who was allegedly murdered by her own father in the castle. Another ghost said to haunt the castle is that of a priest who was killed in the Bloody Chapel.

In the late 19th century, Leap Castle fell into disrepair and was abandoned. It was later purchased by an Englishwoman named Mildred Darby in 1909. Darby was a member of the Society for Psychical Research and was fascinated by the castle's haunted reputation. She and her husband worked to restore the castle and documented many of their paranormal experiences while living there.

In more recent times, Leap Castle was purchased by Sean Ryan, an Irish musician and artist. Ryan has continued the work of restoration on the castle, working to preserve its history and ensure that it remains an important part of Ireland's cultural heritage.

Sean Ryan is a renowned musician in Ireland and a master of the tin whistle, a traditional Irish instrument. He has recorded several albums of traditional Irish music and has performed all over the world.

Sean's deep connection to the history and culture of Ireland is reflected in his music, and he has been recognized as one of the country's leading traditional musicians.

But the history of Leap Castle is not just one of clans and ghosts. In fact, the castle has connections to the early history of America and the colonial era. We cover that history and more on our live and interactive virtual tour called the Ireland Castles Virtual Tour. See our Virtual Tours page by clicking the menu above.

Today, Leap Castle is a vibrant and thriving center for art, music, and history. Thanks to the efforts of Sean Ryan and others, the castle has been restored to its former glory and remains an important part of Ireland's cultural heritage. The castle's haunted history continues to attract visitors from around the world, drawn to the castle's mysterious and ghostly reputation. But for Sean Ryan, Leap Castle is more than just a haunted castle – it is a place of beauty, history, and creativity, and a symbol of Ireland's enduring cultural legacy.