Leap Castle

Built by the O’Carroll clan, Leap Castle earned its reputation through centuries of treachery, murder, and dark rituals.

The Bloody Chapel

In 1532, one O’Carroll chieftain murdered his brother—a priest—while he was saying Mass. The priest fell across the altar and died. Since then:

• Mass has never been celebrated there
• Bloodstains reappear no matter how often cleaned
• The murdered priest is seen at the altar

The Oubliette

Behind the Bloody Chapel, a hidden dungeon was discovered in the early 1900s. Workers found:

• Three cartloads of human bones
• A pocket watch from the 1840s
• Spikes at the bottom to impale victims

Prisoners were dropped through a trap door onto the spikes, left to die slowly in darkness.

The Elemental

The most terrifying entity at Leap is not human. “The Elemental” is described as:

• A hunched, decaying figure the size of a sheep
• Black, empty eye sockets
• The overwhelming stench of rotting flesh
• A sensation of pure evil

Mildred Darby, who lived in the castle in 1909, wrote of her encounter: “I was standing in the Gallery when I felt somebody put a hand on my shoulder…the thing was about the size of a sheep, thin, gaunt, shadowy…its face was human, to be more accurate, inhuman…its eyes, which seemed to be decomposing, stared into mine.”

Other Entities

• The Red Lady: Carries a dagger, seeking revenge for her murdered child
• The Two Little Girls: Emily and Charlotte, seen playing on the grounds
• The Wild Captain: A former owner who tortured prisoners

Current Status

The castle is being restored by musician Seán Ryan, who has documented ongoing paranormal activity. Visitors report:

• Physical pushes and scratches
• Overwhelming feelings of dread
• Photographs showing unexplained figures

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Leap Castle offers tours for those brave enough to enter.