The Witching Hour: I spent the night in a haunted castle in Tipperary, here's what happened

With the comfort of daylight now gone, I am starting to wonder what I signed up for. But our night is only beginning.

Located in the village of Lorrha, Co Tipperary, Redwood Castle was originally constructed by the Normans in 1210. After being destroyed during Cromwell’s invasion of Ireland, it lay in ruins for over 300 years. 

That is until 1972, when it was bought and restored by the descendants of the MacEgans who have been looking after the castle since.

Púca Vogue Paranormal Investigations founder, PJ O’Sullivan, says Redwood Castle is one of the most-haunted places that he has visited in Ireland.

We begin our night with a vigil on the ground floor within the stone walls of the remote castle. 

Above us, accessed via a narrow winding staircase, are two more levels, which include a small chapel, and a room that was used as a hideout by an outlaw named James Meaney following the Rebellion of 1798 (before he was eventually caught and killed.) 

We ask a couple of questions in the hopes of communicating with anyone or anything that may be listening to us.

After a few minutes, the atmosphere shifts with an energy that is difficult to put into words. 

The room feels ice cold and, if possible, even darker than before. The people sitting just inches away from me are suddenly difficult to make out. 

I decide to focus on one point, for fear of what I may see elsewhere. I have never had an encounter with a spirit in the past but at this moment, I am certain we are not alone in Redwood.

For the Púca Vogue team, this is a regular Saturday night. The Kerry-based group, which marks its fourth birthday this Halloween, hosts investigations into historic houses and castles around Ireland.

The team includes second-generation investigators with PJ O’Sullivan’s son, Leo, heavily involved. 

Púca Vogue’s investigations tend to attract people who have experienced something that they cannot explain and are looking for answers while others are simply curious about the paranormal world.

Having been involved in paranormal investigations for almost two decades, PJ has noticed a rise in popularity in Ireland in recent years. Púca Vogue’s Halloween investigation was booked out months in advance.

“I don’t know if it’s a conflict with our religion or ideas, but I do find that in the last few years, interest is growing,” he says. 

“If you look at the US and you look at the UK, they were always well ahead and embraced it. I feel Ireland is finally getting to a stage where it’s embracing it more.” 

The tight-knit team says they rarely leave a haunted location without having experienced something either in the moment, or when they look back at footage. Spirits often play “cat and mouse”, so there are cameras rolling all night, in case something occurs while they are elsewhere.

The “priest’s room” in Redwood Castle is the setting for a memorable Púca Vogue capture — and the next stop on our paranormal investigation. 

The video, which the team shared on social media, shows one of their “trigger objects” (a small light-up ball) flying off the bed and onto the floor. The room was empty at the time.

With nothing but a broken bed and some old furniture, this room already feels creepy. Standing in darkness, we continue asking questions. We ask for a knock at the door and seconds later, we hear one coming from another room.

Back downstairs, we continue our attempts to communicate with whatever presence we all agree we could feel during the first vigil. The team points out what seems to be a shadow moving at the castle’s front door and after a while, we move upstairs.

With each seemingly small noise or feeling, I grow more curious. We roam the castle for a few more hours and, after 2am, there is little else to report. However, the most chilling moment is yet to come.

As I depart along the country roads towards home, leaving a dark Redwood behind me, I start to understand the fascination with visiting haunted castles, hotels, and other locations rumoured to be linked to spirits. 

I was itching to find out more. Who was trying to communicate with us, and what is their story?

A couple of weeks later, O’Sullivan sends me some footage. As I watch us sit in the dark during our second vigil on the ground floor, a voice — that is not any of ours — can be heard saying: “Just get in the room.”

The team had warned me that the cameras can pick up something that we miss at the time. I try to come up with logical explanations, but my imagination fails me and I’m left with even more questions. I understand why Púca Vogue return to Redwood time and time again.

After spending time with O’Sullivan and the rest of the team, it’s clear that they are driven by a genuine curiosity and interest in the paranormal world.

“It’s just pure raw passion,” he explains. “It gives reinforcement that there is more to life than just the physical world and of course, once you start finding that out, you want your knowledge to grow.

“You’re always looking at new ways of trying to connect or trying to reach out to somebody in the afterlife because you’re looking for more answers, you’re looking for more evidence.”

As O’Sullivan says, it’s a bit of an addiction.

“It’s like when you’re watching a TV show, and they leave you on a cliffhanger. It’s drawing you back in.”

• pucavogueparanormalireland.com

5 haunted castle hotels to stay in

Ballyseede Castle, Co Kerry 

This four-star hotel is set on 30 acres of garden and woodland. The main castle was built in 1721 and remained in ownership of the Blennerhassett family until 1965. 

It is said to be haunted by Hilda Blennerhassett who died that same year. 

The smell of roses is often associated with her presence while there have also been some alleged sightings of Hilda in the window of her old room. 

• ballyseedecastle.com

Kinnitty Castle, Co Offaly

Four-star Kinnitty castle was built by the O’Carrolls around 350 AD. 

Now a popular wedding venue, it is located in The ‘Haunted Triangle of Ireland’ (Kinnitty, Leap, and Charleville). 

During the Norman period, an Augustinian Abbey was established nearby, and it is believed that a monk named Hugh still roams the castle as well as the ghost of Lady Catherine Hutchinson. 

• kinnittycastlehotel.com

Cabra Castle, Co Cavan

Set on 100 acres of parkland and gardens, Cabra Castle in Cavan is another popular wedding location with a spooky story. 

The elegant 106-bedroom hotel is rumoured to be haunted by a former servant girl who fell in love with the castle owner’s son in the 1780s. 

• cabracastle.com

Ballygarry Castle Hotel, Co Antrim

Built on the Antrim coast in 1625 Antrim's, Ballygally Castle has impressive grounds, spectacular views and views and its own 'ghost room'. 

This is where former resident Lady Isabella Shaw was supposedly locked up by her husband and died trying to escape. 

Some say she still wanders the castle at night, knocking on doors. 

• ballygallycastlehotel.com

Markree Castle, Co Sligo

This 17th-century castle is set on 500 acres along the route of the Wild Atlantic Way and is one of the largest privately-owned castles in the country. 

Like Ballyseede and Cabra Castle, it is part of the Romantic Castles of Ireland Collection. 

The rumoured resident ghost of this castle is a playful and friendly young girl named Pippa. 

• markreecastle.ie