As the autumn leaves rustle and the moon casts an eerie glow, Cahernane House Hotel in Killarney (Co. Kerry), invites guests to a spine-tingling Halloween experience like no other. Nestled amidst the mystical landscapes of Killarney, this historic manor close to the Killarney Lakes sets the stage for an unforgettable night of storytelling, mystery, and ancient magic.
Cahernane Hotel is thrilled to welcome the formidable Eddie Lenihan, one of Ireland’s last remaining seanchaí to share his collection of stories with guests on Halloween night, 31st of October. Eddie’s expertise lies in the history and heritage of Ireland, and for the Halloween storytelling night, he’ll delve into the spookiest tales. Gather by the fireside as Eddie weaves ancient myths, Irish fairy stories, and encounters with saints, monsters, giants, and ghosts. His voice will transport you to a realm where the veil between worlds grows thin.
An interesting character, and a fantastic storyteller, Eddie has captured the imagination of audiences from Clare to China. The story telling evening is open for both residents and locals. At 6.00 pm on Halloween evening there will be a guided tour of the house and Eddie Lenihan’s stories will be begin later that evening at 9.30pm, after dinner. Non-residents and people in the local area are also welcome to come and listen to Eddie’s scary stories on Halloween night complimentary but pre booking is essential.
The residential package to stay over is called ‘Halloween Story Telling at Cahernane’. It includes a two-night minimum stay and runs from Thursday 31st of October with guests checking out on Saturday, 2nd of November. It offers excellent value and is priced from €286 per person B&B sharing in a Deluxe Room and includes dinner on one evening.
The following morning, All Souls Day, November 1st, guests will meet at Killegy Graveyard to see where the original residents and builders of both Cahernane House and nearby Muckross House are buried and will hear some more interesting historical stories about the local area.
Cahernane House Hotel wasn’t always a hotel. Originally purchased as a family residence for Henry Herbert in 1877, it has retained the feel of a stately home, and its Victorian charm still impresses guests to this day. But a building as old and grand as Cahernane surely harbours its own spooky stories?
Many visitors have reported encountering the ghost of Gwendolyn Herbert, daughter of the original owner. She glides eerily up the grand hand-carved oak staircase, her presence lingering in the air. During a refurbishment, hidden beneath layers of paint and wallpaper, workers discovered an intriguing image: a duck. The floor where this discovery was made was once the children’s nursery, and we know that Katherine Herbert (Gwendolyn’s sister) was an excellent painter. Legend has it that despite numerous attempts to cover the duck, its image stubbornly reappears, as if etched into the very fabric of the house.
Aside from Cahernane’s own spooky story, there are dozens of others to exhilarate guests on the scariest night of the year. You could explore the nearby Muckross House, this elegant mansion is said to have its own ghosts. Perhaps you’ll catch a glimpse of a spectral figure wandering its halls?
Ross Castle on the shore of Lough Leane, Ross Castle has a rich history and its fair share of ghostly tales. The castle was built by O’Donoghue Mór in the 15th century and is believed to be one of Ireland’s most haunted castles. It is said that every seven years O’Donoghue himself rises from the lake and circles the shore on a splendid white horse. The legend goes that those lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the spectre will have good fortune for the rest of their lives!
As the veil between worlds thins on Halloween night, let Eddie Lenihan guide guests through the realms of Irish myths, legends, ghosts, and ghouls. Cahernane House Hotel awaits – where history intertwines with magic, and the Spirit of Seanchaí beckons. Space is limited for the spooky stories so reserve your spot soon. Call the reservations team at +353 64 663 1895 or visit www.cahernane.com to secure a place at the fireside.www.cahernane.com