A ghost story - For Halloween
Leamaneh Castle - County Clare
This stately house was originally built around 1480 as a Norman Castle (you can see the original castle bit on the far right side). Over the centuries it has housed many Lords none of which is more famous than "Máire Rúa" (Red Mary). Máire was a fiery red headed woman who was a direct descendant of Brian Boru (the last high king of Ireland). It is said that her clan (The O'Brians) were very fair and loved by all the people that lived on their lands.
There is an interesting story about Máire and this castle. In her youth she was madly in love to her husband, but her husband made a fatal mistake. In 1651 he supported the Irish revolt against the English. The revolt was brutally put down, and Máire's husband was killed in battle. Fearing that her lands and wealth would be stripped away she quickly traveled to where the English army was camped. It was there that she quickly found and seduced an English officer. The two were soon married, and Máire's fortune was secure. Some time after their marriage, however, Máire overheard her new husband mocking her dead love. In a fit of rage Máire shoved the second husband from the third story window.
Máire went on to marry again.... and she also outlived her third husband. It is said by some, that on occasion a faint shadow of Máire Rúa can be seen passing by the empty window on the third floor... still watching over her lands and missing her true love...
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This stately house was originally built around 1480 as a Norman Castle (you can see the original castle bit on the far right side). Over the centuries it has housed many Lords none of which is more famous than "Máire Rúa" (Red Mary). Máire was a fiery red headed woman who was a direct descendant of Brian Boru (the last high king of Ireland). It is said that her clan (The O'Brians) were very fair and loved by all the people that lived on their lands.
There is an interesting story about Máire and this castle. In her youth she was madly in love to her husband, but her husband made a fatal mistake. In 1651 he supported the Irish revolt against the English. The revolt was brutally put down, and Máire's husband was killed in battle. Fearing that her lands and wealth would be stripped away she quickly traveled to where the English army was camped. It was there that she quickly found and seduced an English officer. The two were soon married, and Máire's fortune was secure. Some time after their marriage, however, Máire overheard her new husband mocking her dead love. In a fit of rage Máire shoved the second husband from the third story window.
Máire went on to marry again.... and she also outlived her third husband. It is said by some, that on occasion a faint shadow of Máire Rúa can be seen passing by the empty window on the third floor... still watching over her lands and missing her true love...
.
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