Dunlough Castle (aka Three Castles) sits on top of the cliffs at the most western part of the Mizen Peninsula. It overlooks the Atlantic Ocean from the extreme southwest point of Ireland. On the other side of the castle is the man-made Dunlough Lake. Founded in 1207 by Donagh O’Mahony, Dunlough is one of the oldest Norman castles in southern Ireland. The O’Mahonys lived there peacefully and in other nearby castles for the next 400 years, earning their living primarily from fishing and related industries. After the Battle of Kinsale in 1601, their fortunes declined and by 1627 the castle had passed into loyalist hands. It was probably abandoned not long after that.
The castle is allegedly haunted by some of the O'Mahonys, many of whom met a terrible fate, dying by either murder or suicide and because of this, it is said that a drop of blood drips from the towers every day. Another legend says that if someone sees the spectral “white lady” of the nearby Dunlough Lake their death soon follow.
Yes, it's haunted.
ReplyDeleteSpend the night, if you dare!
DeleteThat is a blood-soaked land. We were really spared that in this country. You don't really realize it until you go there, stand in a church that's been razed three times (or more) in just the bloody, religious, factional warfare that occurred over periods of hundreds of years.
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