Hells Fire Club

Originally, at the top of Montpelier Hill, there was an ancient passage grave with a cairn of stones stacked on top. Then William ‘Speaker’ Conolly, one of the wealthiest men in Ireland, came along and built a hunting lodge on the same site in 1725. Conolly is said to have destroyed the cairn while building the lodge, using one of the grave’s standing stones as the lintel for his fireplace.

Some time later the roof of the secluded lodge was blown off during a storm. The locals reckoned that aggrieved spirits seeking vengeance for the cairn’s destruction were responsible. And so the tales began.

Over time, fact and fiction have become so intertwined that it’s impossible to separate them. 

Wicklow Gaol

  Wicklow Gaol is a historic prison located in the town of Wicklow in Ireland, which gained notoriety for the brutality of the prison wardens, and the harsh treatment suffered by its inmates, many of them who were imprisoned for crimes as petty as stealing a potato. The prison was closed down in the 20th century, however there are tales that some of the spectral inmates never left.

Wicklow Gaol is recorded to have been opened in 1702. During that time, the prison was used to hold inmates who were sentenced under the Penal Laws. These were repressive laws passed against Roman Catholics in Britain and Ireland after the Reformation and were aimed at penalizing those who continued to practice Roman Catholicism, as well as to impose civil disabilities on Catholics.

Before prison reform in Ireland, there was no difference between adults and children when it came to their sentencing or punishment, and in its history, Wicklow goal held many children, most imprisoned for petty theft. The youngest in the goal record books was Thomas Pitt, an 8-year-old boy who was imprisoned and whipped for stealing two shillings from a woman’s purse.

Children were treated as harshly as the adults – they were whipped, starved, and made to work the treadmill, a grueling torture device in which prisoners were made to work a treadmill for up to 5 hours a day. Children would struggle to keep up with the pace set by the adults on the treadmill and would fall and getting trampled by other prisoners.

Over the years, the goal earned the reputation of being haunted by many of the tortured souls that lost their lives within the prison walls. Some of the paranormal events reported by visitors to the goal include: a green mist floating around the main floor, a man seen walking out of cell 19, a woman in a black velvet cloak seen walking on the ground floor, the sound of children crying, and a man seen walking in front of the bars to the holding cell. Some of these events were witnessed by several visitors or staff members at the same time.

Glendalough Monastic site

Glendalough, an extensive monastic complex, is located in a glacial valley consisting of two lakes (the Upper and Lower Lakes) which explains the Irish place name Gleann dá Locha ‘the valley of the two lakes’. This is an archaeologically and architecturally rich landscape that is matched by a wealth of historical documents. Evidence for human activity in the valley possibly goes as far back as the Neolithic Period. Recent excavations have uncovered industrial activity that may be contemporary with St Kevin’s reputed foundation of a ‘monastery’ around 600AD. Glendalough is one of the most important medieval ecclesiastical landscapes in Ireland and since the nineteenth century one of Ireland’s premier tourist attractions.

Activity Level: Low

Subject to slight change because of weather or other conditions beyond our control.

Charleville Castle:

Located in County Offaly, in the Midlands of Ireland, and bordering the town of Tullamore near the Shannon River, Charleville Castle is situated in Ireland's most ancient primordial oak woods, once the haunting grounds of Ireland's druids.

Charleville Castle grew from paper doodles in early 1798 to grandiose plans by the end of that very eventful year in Ireland. It was built by Charles William Bury, Earl of Charleville, and was designed by Francis Johnston, one of the leading architects of the day.

Charleville Castle is said to be the finest example of gothic-revival architecture in the country. This is a veritable Gothic castle of grand proportions. It owes its "Tin Soldier Fortress" look to the celebration of victory over the third French revolutionary expedition to Ireland - the first decisive victory by Britain over the revolutionary republican movement, which was sweeping across the monarchies and their colonies at that time. 

It took fourteen years to complete this gothic dream, a monument not only to a now-forgotten power but also to the people who made it possible, the Irish craftsmen and impoverished people.

Tonight you will investigate the castle's many ghosts.

Activity Level: Low

Subject to slight change because of weather or other conditions beyond our control.

Day out in Galway.

Galway is a bustling city that you will love exploring. Galway City is a thriving, bohemian, cultural city on the western coast of Ireland. Along with being a popular seaside destination with beautiful beaches and long winding promenade, it also has a buzzing cosmopolitan city centre. The city is a joy to explore with its labyrinthine cobbled streets, colourful shop facades and busy café/ bar culture. The city is also well known for its many festivals throughout the year with huge crowds gathering for the annual  Galway Arts Festival, Races and numerous other events. Old Ireland is present too with turf fires and traditional music featuring in many pubs to compliment your enjoyment of a well earned pint of Guinness. Take an evening stroll along the promenade and watch the sunset over Galway Bay or watch the salmon fishermen in the River Corrib from the perfect vantage point of the Salmon Weir Bridge.

Pat Noone's Fairy Farm:

Fairies, she-wolves and fertility stones: Strange tales from a hidden Ireland,

Pat Noone will welcome you to his farm with a warm Irish welcome, he will bring you on that hallowed ground past the standing stone, the fertility stone down the path to the cairn and then you walk into the fairy field. You will stand at the portal between the hawthorn trees which is where the Fairies come and go. It truly is a magical place and we know you will enjoy it and the stories Pat has to tell.

Halloween Cnámha La Loba (bones of the Wolfes) Parade:

Inspired by the legend of La Loba, a wild Wolf-Woman who wanders the world, collecting the bones of animals, humans and demi-gods that are in danger of being lost to the world and singing them back to life by moonlight.

This artistic parade is created by the theatre group "Macnas" who travel the world with their designs and puppet shows. 

This is am amazing, creative parade to behold.

Activity Level: Low/Moderate

Subject to slight change because of weather or other conditions beyond our control.

Morning off to ramble through Galway's shops, restaurants, museums and so much more before doing a nighttime investigation in the famous haunted Leap castle. 

Leap Castle.

One of the longest continually inhabited Castles in Ireland, Leap Castle has a rich and fascinating history.  Leap Castle is thought to have been built in the early 1500s by the O’Bannon clan.   The O’Bannon clan were the secondary chieftains under the ruling of the O'Carroll clan.  The current building is thought to have been built over an earlier castle.  Before that the site was used by Druids for initiation ceremonies.   The castle has been home to much bloodshed and violence over the centuries. 

Originally named Leim Ui Bhanain meaning ‘Leap of the O’Bannons’.  Legend has it that two O’Bannon brothers were contesting the chieftainship of their clan.   The only way to settle this argument was a display of strength and bravery. They were to both jump off the rocky outcrop where the castle was to be built. The survivor won the honor and right to be Chieftain.  Thus the castle was built, fueled by blood and death.  

Leap Castle was used as a principal stronghold of the O’Carroll clan.  It was used to guard the pass through the Slieve Bloom Mountains and has been said that no castle was more well-fortified than Leap.   The O’Carrolls were a fierce and brutal people, bent on domination.  They were known for their ruthless tactics, often killing others and each other on the path to supremacy.  The O’Carolls called Leap Castle their home until it was wrenched from their hands in 1642 by an English soldier of the Cromwellian forces named John Darby.  

The castle has been subject to much remodeling and restoration over the years, most of the remodeling having been done by the Darbys. The Darbys inhabited Leap Castle from 1642 until it’s burning in 1922.  Unfortunately, Leap Castle was the target for an uprising and was looted and burnt to an empty shell in 1922.  Here it lay dormant until it was purchased In 1974 by an Australian Pete Bartlett. The work is now being continued by the current owners The Ryans.

Activity Level: Low

The itinerary is subject to slight change depending on weather and other conditions beyond our control.

Bunratty Castle:

The first recorded settlement at the site may have been a Norsemen settlement/trading camp reported in the Annals of the Four Masters to have been destroyed by in Brian Boru 977. According to local tradition, such a camp was located on a rise southwest of the current castle. However, since no actual remains of this settlement have yet been found, its exact location is unknown and its existence is not proven.

Around 1250, King Henry III of England granted the district of Tradraighe (or Tradree) to Robert De Muscegros, who in 1251 cut down around 200 trees in the King's wood at Cratloe. These may have been used to construct a motte and bailey castle, which would have been the first castle at Bunratty, but again the exact position of this is unknown. A later reference in the state papers, dating to 1253 gives de Muscegros the right to hold markets and an annual fair at Bunratty. It has thus been assumed that the site was the center of early Norman control in south-eastern Clare.

St John's Castle 

Located at the heart of Limerick’s medieval quarter, STEP INSIDE the walls of Limerick’s most iconic landmark! Discover the stories of ruthless King John, the noble knights, and rebellious natives. King John's Castle brings to life over 800 years of dramatic local history. 

Explore the spacious outdoor courtyard where you’ll get a sense of the bustling activity that took place many years ago. On your journey, expect to see some lively characters. Venture into our visitor center with state-of-the-art interpretive activities and exhibitions. 21st-century touchscreen technology, 3D models and a discovery drawer are among the exciting techniques that will connect you to tales of siege and warfare. Visitors will love the dazzling array of computer-generated animations and ghostly projections as they travel back through time.

Secret Location

Tonight we stay in a very haunted castle. We are keeping it as a surprise for you. You get to investigate all night long if you wish.

Activity Level: Low

Subject to slight change because of weather or other conditions beyond our control.

Cork Gaol

Cork is a city with a very rich historical and archaeological heritage much of it still in evidence today. Part of this heritage, Cork City Gaol, is a magnificent castle-like building that once housed 19th-century prisoners. Take a trip back in time and wander through the wings of the Gaol, accompanied by the shuffling feet of inmates and the jingle of the warders’ keys.

Charles Fort

The White Lady of Kinsale is a famous Irish ghost story. The tragic tale takes place in Charles Fort, where people have seen the phantom of a young bride wandering the site where she and her beloved met their fate.

At some point of time in the fort’s history, a ghost story was attached to the site. The incident allegedly took place sometime during the 17th century and involved the commander of the fort, his daughter, and her husband, who was one of her father’s officers. The stories do not mention the names of these characters, though one source states that the commander was supposed to be a man named Warrender.

In any case, the commander of the fort had a daughter, who fell in love with one of the father’s officers. After a short period of courtship, the two got married. On the night of their wedding, the couple took a stroll on the fort’s ramparts and spotted a single white rose growing below. A sentry on duty volunteered to get the flower as a wedding gift for the couple, if the officer would take his place while he was gone. The officer agreed, and the sentry went off to get the rose. For one reason or another, the sentry took much longer than expected, so the officer sent his wife back in and continued to stand guard.

As a result of all the festivities that day, the officer grew tired and dozed off. Not long after, the commander was making his rounds and saw the sleeping officer. As was the protocol of the day, he shot the sleeping officer, realizing only too late that it was his son-in-law. Seeing what he had done, the commander committed suicide by jumping of the ramparts. When the new bride woke up, she went to look for her husband, and saw his corpse. Looking over the ramparts, she saw the body of her father as well. The bride, unable to bear her grief, jumped of the ramparts herself, and her ghost, dressed in a wedding gown, is said to haunts  the fort ever since.

Drombeg stone Circle

Drombeg stone circle, also known as The Druid’s Altar, is a small megalithic site located in County Cork, Ireland. It is one of the most visited megalithic sites in Ireland and is protected under the National Monuments Act. 

The stone circle originally consisted of 17 closely spaced stones, of which 13 survive today. The stones are made from local sandstone and the circle spans 9.3 meters in diameter.

As an axial or “Cork-Kerry” stone circle, it contains two taller entrance stones placed opposite a recumbent axial stone. Its axis is oriented southwest towards the setting sun. The most westerly stone is the long recumbent and has two egg-shaped cup marks, one with a ring around it. This arrangement creates a southwest axis and orients the monument in the direction of the setting sun during the midwinter solstice.

Activity Level: Low

Subject to slight change because of weather or other conditions beyond our control.

Rock of Cashel

According to Irish Folklore, the Rock of Cashel is originally from the Devil’s Bit, a mountain some 20 miles north of the town.

Legend #1

How exactly did the rock get to Cashel? Well, some say that the rock is the result of a huge battle between St. Patrick and the devil.

The story goes that the devil had taken up hold in a cave on Devil’s Bit Mountain. According to legend, a huge battle between the pair erupted one day.

It’s said that St. Patrick evicted the devil from the cave with such force that a piece of the mountain was propelled all the way to Cashel, where it still stands today.

Legend #2

There’s another story that tells of the same battle mentioned above, however, in this tale, the devil put up a battle.

Soon into the fight, the devil realized that he was no match for St. Patrick, and he blew a hole in the mountain from which he escaped through. The piece of mountain that was blown away landed in Cashel.

For many centuries, the Rock of Cashel was home to the kings of Munster. When the Normans invaded, this became their stronghold in the area and, in 1101, the local king donated the fortress he had on the rock to the Catholic church. 

Today, there remains precious few traces of the site’s original ancient roots, with most archaeological remnants dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries.

The main buildings on the Rock of Cashel today are Cormac’s Chapel and the Cathedral, dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries respectively.

Kilkenny Castle ground and Town:

We give you a chance to stroll through the grounds of one of our most famous castles, before going through the quaint town of Kilkenny.

County Kilkenny is a place to gather where culture and adventure, city and countryside, and friends and family meet. There is so much to explore in the medieval city and beyond.

Kilkenny City is home to one of the most recognizable landmarks in Ireland: the 12th-century Kilkenny Castle. Go back in time and explore Ireland’s Medieval Mile, a discovery trail running through Kilkenny City. The county is full of vibrant heritage and history at every turn, so there are many stories for you to uncover in Kilkenny. Take a tour of the attractions or book a place in a local walking or cycling tour to hear Kilkenny's history in a unique way!

Kilkenny is one of Ireland’s most cosmopolitan cities, a gem in the heart of Ireland's Ancient East. 

Fitzpatrick's Castle

We spend our last night here in the fab castle. 

The original house, Mount Mapas was built in 1740 by Col. John Mapas, although records show that a building or buildings stood here at a much earlier date. By 1755 it was acquired by Captain Maunsell who was succeeded by Colonel Loftus in 1770.

The Colonel's stay was a short one; in 1772 he advertised the castle and its 150 acres for sale despite his short tenure. During his time in residence however, Colonel Loftus and his nephew converted the barren stoney soil to meadow and pasture and cut a road around the hill, his successor was Lord Clonmel who in 1790 improved the estate further spending £3,000 in the process, a handsome sum of money in the early 19th century.

The name Robert Warren is very much associated with the Castle and it was he who in 1840 enlarged the house and called it Killiney Castle. He also restored and added to the monuments on the hill, repairing the obelisk originally erected by Col. Mapas and donated land and most of the money for the building of Killiney parish church. The land on the hill once part of the estate was purchased from his son, Robert Warren Jnr. by Queen Victoria's jubilee memorial association and subsequently renamed Victoria Hill as we still know it today.

Activity Level: Low

Subject to slight change because of weather or other conditions beyond our control.

We bring you to the airport for you flight back home. We don't like to say goodbye but rather, "Safe journey and we'll see you soon again". 

Go dtí go mbuailfimid le chéile arís. (Until we meet again)