
What is a castle without a ghost? Ballygally Castle however apparently has three ghosts.
But, Who is the friendly ghost of Ballygally Castle? One of these known as The Ghost of Ballygally Castle has been around for the best part of 400 years and is believed to be that of Lady Isabella Shaw, wife of Lord James Shaw.
According to legend, Lord Shaw wanted a son, and after his wife delivered his heir, he snatched the baby from his wife, Lady Isabella and then locked her in a room at the top of the castle.
While trying to escape, Lady Isabella fell to her death from the tower window or there is another more sinister version, she was actually thrown from the window by the cruel Lord Shaw.
Despite her terrible death, Lady Isabella’s ghost is reputed to be a “friendly” spirit who strolls down the corridors of the old castle. Many guests in the castle have reported strange experiences and noises in their room and some even “felt a presence”. On a really haunted night an eerie green mist engulfes the castle.
Ballygally Castle are very proud of their permanent ghost resident and have even dedicated a bedroom to her, “The Ghost Room” which is located in one of the turrets in the oldest part of the castle.
In 2003, manager Olga Henry had said in an interview “I’m sort of very skeptical about the whole supernatural thing and ghosts. But the more I stay here and work here, the more I think there’s definitely something in this hotel.”
Henry recited the story of a guest who was staying in one of the rooms in the tower beneath the “Ghost Room” and in the middle of the night he awoke, he felt something, at first he thought he was at home and one of his children had laid a hand on his back but then he could hear a child running and laughing. Scared out of his wits, he ran into the lobby only wearing his shorts!.
Henry also told the story about how she, in December 2003 prepared the table in the “Dungeon Room” in the tower as they were expecting guests. She reportedly ocked the room and later when she checked up on it, the table was now a mess with unfolded napkins and glasses with an unusual scum around them were now arranged in a circle on the table. Needless to say this was also a rather scary experience.
It was reported by several mediums spending the night at the castle that they’ve detected more ghosts than there were guests actually staying at the hotel. Spooky!
About Ballygally Castle

Ballygally Castle is located on the scenic Antrim coast only 20 miles from Belfast. The Ballygally Castle is an ideal base for exploring the area the hotel faces the soft, sandy beaches of Ballygally Bay. The hotel is really unique, dates back to 1625 and is the only 17th Century building still used as a residence in Northern Ireland today!
There are more than 30,000 Castles in Ireland, so where do you start as a visitor? Fortunately, here at Love Ireland, we have you covered. Follow the 2 steps below and it will help you on the right path.
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