The Banshee of Duckett’s Grove

Tales of haunting are easy to find in Ireland. I recently walked the grounds of Duckett’s Castle in County Carlow. A vacant building that is now home to the ghosts of its past and the wailing Banshee that haunts its high towers.

Views of Duckett’s Grove Castle, Co. Carlow.

SOME BACKGROUND HISTORY

Duckett’s Grove is a ruined 19th-century great house in County Carlow. It belonged to the Duckett family and dominated the local landscape for more than two centuries. The interior of the house was destroyed by a major fire in the 1930s and is now inaccessible. The surrounding gardens, including two inter-connecting walled gardens, are open as a public park.

A detail from the beautiful walled garden

View of the castle from the walled garden

THE LEGEND

The story tells that William Duckett, who built the Duckett’s Grove mansion in 1830, had an illicit affair with a young girl. When she suffered a horse riding accident on the grounds of the property, her mother put a Piseog (curse) on William, his family, house and property. This brought ruin to them financially and it’s how the estate eventually fell into disrepair.

It is said Duckett’s Grove is home to a banshee, which, according to Irish mythology, is a female ghost that attaches to some place, family, or property after a Piseog was placed on them.

There are many stories of the dreaded wails of the banshee being heard right before the death of loved ones of the castles employees. The ghosts of the Ducketts have also been seen, as well as servants in the kitchen.

View of Duckett’s Grove Tower, where strange sounds and noises are attributed to the wailing banshee.

I was drawn to the gothic architecture and design elements, like the gargoyles. These, while highly decorative, were often used as water spouts to remove water from the roof as well as to provide symbolic spiritual protection for the property and its inhabitants.

Peek through the windows

View of the inside through one of the gates

Did you know: An Samhain, the Irish word for Autumn. Halloween. A time to celebrate the completion of the harvest and the beginning of winter.

Magnificent view of Duckett’s Grove.

I would definitely like to go back and do the full tour inside the building. What other haunted places have you visited in Ireland? Tell me in the comments!