Digest

This episode of Lore delves into the haunted histories of two Irish castles: Charleville Castle and Valley Galley Castle. The episode begins by exploring the dark and brooding gothic style of Charleville Castle, tracing its origins to the 1640s and the Moore family who built a mansion on the land. The castle was later built in 1812 by Charles William Burry, a Freemason who sparked rumors of occult practices. The episode then explores the numerous ghost stories associated with Charleville Castle, including sightings of cloaked figures, a terrifying figure with evil eyes, and ghostly conversations. The episode also focuses on the King Oak, a 900-year-old tree near the castle, and its connection to the Burry family. Legends claim that a branch falling from the tree signifies a family member's death, culminating in a lightning strike that split the tree and the subsequent death of Colonel Charles Howard Burry. The episode also recounts the tragic death of Lady Harriet, a young girl who fell from the castle's grand staircase. Her spirit is said to haunt the castle, with guests reporting laughter, screams, and sightings of her ghostly figure. The episode concludes with the history of Charleville Castle, highlighting its abandonment in 1912, its restoration in the 1970s, and the current ownership by Bridget and her family. A story about Bridget's son being guided by two ghostly children down the castle's staircase emphasizes the enduring presence of the supernatural. The episode then shifts to Valley Galley Castle in Northern Ireland, exploring its history as a refuge for Protestants during the Great Rebellion and its eventual conversion into a luxury hotel. The episode focuses on the legend of Lady Isabella Shaw, the wife of the castle's original builder, who was allegedly murdered by her husband after revealing his infidelity. Her ghost is said to haunt the castle, searching for her lost child. The episode recounts a story of a couple who attended a ghostly ball at Valley Galley Castle, only to discover that the event never actually took place. This adds to the castle's reputation for supernatural occurrences. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to subscribe to the ad-free version of Lore on Apple Podcasts and Patreon, and to explore the World of Lore book series and television show.

Outlines

00:00:00

Haunted Castles of Ireland

This episode of Lore explores the haunted histories of Charleville Castle and Valley Galley Castle in Ireland, delving into their tragic family histories, ghostly apparitions, and enduring legends.

00:02:23

Charleville Castle: A History of Tragedy and the Supernatural

The episode delves into the history of Charleville Castle, tracing its origins to the 1640s and the Moore family who built a mansion on the land. The castle was later built in 1812 by Charles William Burry, a Freemason who sparked rumors of occult practices. The episode explores the numerous ghost stories associated with Charleville Castle, including sightings of cloaked figures, a terrifying figure with evil eyes, and ghostly conversations. The episode also focuses on the King Oak, a 900-year-old tree near the castle, and its connection to the Burry family. Legends claim that a branch falling from the tree signifies a family member's death, culminating in a lightning strike that split the tree and the subsequent death of Colonel Charles Howard Burry. The episode also recounts the tragic death of Lady Harriet, a young girl who fell from the castle's grand staircase. Her spirit is said to haunt the castle, with guests reporting laughter, screams, and sightings of her ghostly figure. The episode concludes with the history of Charleville Castle, highlighting its abandonment in 1912, its restoration in the 1970s, and the current ownership by Bridget and her family. A story about Bridget's son being guided by two ghostly children down the castle's staircase emphasizes the enduring presence of the supernatural.

00:22:33

Valley Galley Castle: A History of Betrayal and Haunting

The episode shifts to Valley Galley Castle in Northern Ireland, exploring its history as a refuge for Protestants during the Great Rebellion and its eventual conversion into a luxury hotel. The episode focuses on the legend of Lady Isabella Shaw, the wife of the castle's original builder, who was allegedly murdered by her husband after revealing his infidelity. Her ghost is said to haunt the castle, searching for her lost child. The episode recounts a story of a couple who attended a ghostly ball at Valley Galley Castle, only to discover that the event never actually took place. This adds to the castle's reputation for supernatural occurrences.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some of the most common ghost sightings reported at Charleville Castle?

  Visitors have reported seeing cloaked figures, a terrifying figure with evil eyes, and ghostly conversations. Some have even witnessed a line of hooded figures parading into their rooms.

• What is the legend of the King Oak and its connection to the Burry family?

  Legends claim that a branch falling from the King Oak signifies a family member's death. This culminated in a lightning strike that split the tree and the subsequent death of Colonel Charles Howard Burry.

• What is the story of Lady Harriet and her ghostly presence at Charleville Castle?

  Lady Harriet, a young girl who fell from the castle's grand staircase, is said to haunt the castle. Guests have reported hearing her laughter, screams, and sightings of her ghostly figure.

• What is the legend of Lady Isabella Shaw at Valley Galley Castle?

  Lady Isabella Shaw, the wife of the castle's original builder, was allegedly murdered by her husband after revealing his infidelity. Her ghost is said to haunt the castle, searching for her lost child.

• What is the story of the ghostly ball at Valley Galley Castle?

  A couple who attended a ball at the castle discovered that the event never actually took place, adding to the castle's reputation for supernatural occurrences.

• What is the significance of the stories about Charleville and Valley Galley Castles?

  These stories highlight the enduring power of folklore and the way that history and tragedy can leave a lasting impact on a place. They also offer a glimpse into the human fascination with the supernatural and the afterlife.

Show Notes