the midlands region – the heart of Ireland. I booked two nights at Kinnitty Castle, a lesser known but incredibly interesting 13th century gothic revival castle set squarely in the foothills of the Slieve Bloom mountains. Kinnitty is not as well known as neighboring Leap or Charleville castles, but it had its own intriguing history and ghostly reputation.

The age of the castle is almost inconceivable, a concept nearly lost to the American psyche. In the states, we rush to tear down anything over thirty years old to make room for some modern monstrosity. Progress and efficiency are the enemy of historic preservation.

Kinnitty Castle is absent of many modern conveniences, including wifi and television service. The rooms are drafty and damp, and the sound of creaky wooden floors echoemerging from shadowy corners, giving guests quite a fright! Some report seeing Geraldine as a red mist, hovering over their beds or floating down the quite castle corridors.

Another active entity is Hugh “the monk of Kinnitty”. He had a reputation for being a jolly soul, much loved by all who knew him. But he had a dark side – a secret turmoil that brewed inside him like a poison. Eventually, the forced smiles and laughter couldn’t mask his internal pain. Hugh did the unthinkable – he took his own life.

Hugh remains at Kinnitty Castle, a place where he lived both the happiest and saddest days of his life. He frequents the Abbey, an annex of the original building that houses several guest rooms, including my own.

Other ghosts are