Sean is happy to continue to live alongside them as he has done since 1994, when restoration on the castle began. Sean invites you in to sit by the fire and then you wander around the castle on your own. How to plan a trip to Ireland (in 9 steps), Irish boy names that nobody can pronounce. The owner, Sean Ryan, is restoring the castle himself so that makes it more personalized to visit. Sean said that he had a few encounters when he was renovating the castle. Revenge, rivalry and power played pivotal roles in shaping this castle’s history. The castle in question can be dated back to the early 1500s when it was under the rule of the violent and deadly O’Carroll clan. Visiting Leap Castle is not the typical castle visit as this is a privately owned residence. Again, as standard during this time, the castle’s power was passed from father and son for years to come. This is not a guided tour like many of us have done before. The sounds they hear are footsteps, doors opening and closing and crowds talking. Leap Castle is an interesting place with a very, very interesting story. Sean invites you in to sit by the fire and then you wander around the castle on your own. By the mid-1600s the castle moved into the hands of the Darby family, spearheaded by Jonathon Darby the 2nd, a Cromwellian soldier. I was quite startled to hear this, having only heard of the ghost stories of the house. The world’s most haunted Castle. Today, and for many generations, there have been reports of light streaming from its barren windows at nightfall. Rumours abound about who were involved in this act which took place at the Leap. Leap Castle, est construit au XVème siècle par la famille O’Bannon, un riche clan assurant le rôle de chefs secondaires sur le territoire d’Offaly (Les O’Carroll étant les chefs suprêmes de la région). Sean Ryan was such a fantastic host. Au cours des nombreux siècles de son existence, ce ne sont que guerres fratricides, meurtres, massacres, disparitions. Leap Castle “The Most Haunted Place in Ireland” in Roscrea. Leap Castle is located in County Offaly, Ireland, just outside of Coolderry and is privately owned by musician Sean Ryan and his wife, Anne. Met enjoyed visiting with Sean Ryan, who is currently the owner. Today, there are still sightings of a little girl falling from its great heights, only to disappear before reaching the ground. Leap Castle - Ireland. Depuis 1991, le château de Leap est la propriété de Sean Ryan qui s’efforce de rénover l’édifice et de lui redonner sa splendeur d’antan. Although he did manage to get restoration work done, he passed away shortly after and two years after this Sean Ryan, Leap Castles present owner purchased it. Where most would refer to these apparitions as ghosts, Sean prefers to call them spirits. It is said that here, during the rule of the O’Carrolls an awful murder occurred. Offaly's Children's Arts Festival, Durrow High Cross and Early Christian Monastic Site, High Crosses of Drumcullen Monastic Site in Kinnitty & Rath, President Barack Obama - the Moneygall connection, Tullamore Court Hotel Elma's Beauty Salon, From Tullamore 38.7KM, Birr, 1.9KM Edenderry 72.9KMÂ. It was known once as Leim ui Bhanain. He bought the castle in 1991 and to this day has renovated the South wing and the ground and first upper floor of the tower. The Murder Hole Room is yet another place in the castle which has been deemed haunted over generations. Leap Castle: Sean Ryan is a delightful host - See 193 traveller reviews, 272 candid photos, and great deals for Roscrea, Ireland, at Tripadvisor. From a young age, nomadic parents placed a strong emphasis on education in real experience and the outdoors - a trait which has carried through her life and into her career. But more interesting that that, is its owner Mr. Sean Ryan, world traveler and famous Irish whistle player. Unusually, portions of the castle are still habited by musician Sean Ryan and his family who are undertaking restoration work. How to get here, Clara Bog Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre, Leap Castle Ireland's most haunted Castle, Leap Castle Ireland's most haunted castle Video, © pTools Software - Parallel Internet LTD. All Rights Reserved, All Events, Festivals & Activities postponed due to Covid-19, Hullaballo! 2,399 were here. Leap Castle was built on top of an existing stone structure. In the manner of Loughmoe castle in Tipperary, Leap is a modified tower house that has been converted into a later fortified house. Sean took me into the castle. The first encounter, origin and exact nature of the Elemental are unknown but there are many theories that have circulated over the years. The Elemental of Leap Castle is a frightening spirit said to haunt Leap Castle, a castle in Coolderry County Offaly, Ireland, about four miles north of the town of Roscrea on the R421. Visiting Leap Castle is not the typical castle visit as this is a privately owned residence. He is a musician and has taken up the task of restoring it. Il est depuis 1991, la propriété privée de Sean Ryan, qui a entreprit des travaux de restauration. The now burnt-out shell of the chapel on the grounds of Leap Castle remains one of the most haunted settings in the estate. Leap Castle Today. 9 avr. There is certainly an air of mystique there, even though we did not see or hear anything extraordinary. The ghost of this woman wanders today having been murdered by a member of the brutal family during the 1500s. My husband mentioned "haunted" and Sean said he would never use that word, but had felt and seen spirits in the house, who were in no way interfering. Leap Castle (spreek uit: "Lep") is een kasteel in Coolderry in County Offaly (Ierland), ongeveer 6,5 km ten noorden van de stad Roscrea en 9,5 km ten zuiden van Kinnitty, aan de R421.. Het kasteel was te zien op de titelpagina van verschillende edities van de roman The Riders geschreven door de Australische auteur Tim Winton.. Geschiedenis []. These two apparitions are seen sporadically in separate instances. October 14, 2019 by carolinefarrell/author and screenwriter. The owner, Sean Ryan, is restoring the castle himself so that makes it more personalized to visit. The Elemental is one of the most interesting spirits that reside at Leap Castle. Sean Ryan Owner of Leap Castle. Le château de Leap (Leap Castle) est un château dans le comté d'Offaly, en Irlande, à environ quatre miles (6,5 km) au nord de la ville de Roscrea sur la R421. He began restorations on the castle until his death in 1989. The remarkable thing Sean told us was that this experience never seems to alarm his guests, rather they always remain very calm, something that surprises them! However, on occasions that he has gone in the direction of the noise, nothing is apparent there, with the location of the spirits always out of reach. He claims that the spirits that he and his wife see really do exist, and is usually happy to share his knowledge of history and open the grounds to self-guided tours. Sean Ryan, the owner of Leap Castle, was kind enough to meet with us and show us this amazing landmark. John O’Carroll is recognised as being responsible for the earliest constructs of Leap Castle. Having lived long in the hands of those who swore allegiance to the British Crown, the castle represented turbulence and pain for many Irish locals. It may surprise you to learn that despite the numerous spirits that haunt the building, Leap Castle is, in fact, a family home. Let’s take a look inside Leap Castle: Ireland’s most haunted house. Paris Donnatella is an avid writer and traveller. Sean doesn't regard his home as haunted and, as far as he is concerned, the spirits he sees and hears have as much right to live there as he does. Today Sean Ryan and family privately own the castle. Curiously we had visited Leap once before just before Sean Ryan bought it and it was still quite ruinous. She has travelled Europe, Africa, America, Asia and Australia and still claims that wanderlust tempts her daily. The old man has been spotted on occasion sitting in a comfy armchair enjoying the heat in front of the Main Hall’s grand fireplace. It was a joy to curate the Short Horror Film Programme for Fright-Ful Friday at Leap Castle, an annual event run by the Offline Film Festival in County Offaly. Visit haunted Leap Castle (Leim Ui Bhanain) on the R421 towards Roscrea from Kinnitty, just 6 miles from Ardmore Country House B&B.To visit the castle call Sean Ryan at +353868690547. Since the burning in 1922, the Priest’s House remains nothing but a derelict ruin. It was built by the O'Bannon clan and was originally called "Léim Uí Bhanáin" (as was the fertile land around the castle which was associated with the Bannon clan), or "Leap of the O'Bannons". Bartlett eventually sold the castle to Sean Ryan, who holds it now. During the tour of Leap Castle, he treated us to a sample of his skill. The world’s most haunted Castle. It has been featured on TV shows including Scariest Places on Earth, Most Haunted, Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures. The smell of burning rubber and even the spirit of the murdered priest lurking in the stairwell are often reported. He spoke much of the history of Leap Castle and even played his flute prior to us leaving. Leap Castle outside Roscrea in Tipperary lies close to Seir Kieran in Offaly.