Belvelly Castle stands as a formidable 15th-century tower house in the Municipal District of Cobh, County Cork, Ireland. Built around 1450 by the Hodnett family, the castle served as a strategic stronghold overlooking the narrow channel between Great Island and the mainland. The castle changed hands several times throughout its history, notably being seized by the de Barry clan in the 16th century.

The castle’s most infamous ghost story centers around Lady Margaret Hodnett, a renowned beauty who lived in the castle during the 17th century. According to legend, she was courted by numerous suitors but rejected them all. One scorned lover allegedly locked her in a room with only a mirror, where she eventually went mad staring at her reflection as her beauty faded. Her ghost is said to haunt the castle, with some claiming to have seen her apparition or heard her cries.

Another reported supernatural occurrence involves the sighting of spectral soldiers. Witnesses have described seeing phantom figures dressed in military attire from various historical periods, possibly connected to the castle’s strategic importance during conflicts.

The castle’s dark history includes tales of torture and executions. Some visitors have reported feeling a sense of unease or oppression in certain areas, particularly in the lower levels where dungeons were once located.

Unexplained noises, such as footsteps and whispers, have been reported by locals and investigators alike. Some have claimed to capture electronic voice phenomena (EVP) within the castle walls, though the origin and nature of these sounds remain a subject of debate among paranormal enthusiasts.