Clonony Castle, located in the Municipal District of Birr, County Offaly, Ireland, dates back to the 16th century. Built around 1500 by the MacCoghlan clan, this Tudor castle later became the property of Thomas Boleyn, father of Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII. The castle’s rich history includes connections to English royalty and Irish nobility.

Over the centuries, Clonony Castle has accumulated its share of ghostly tales. Visitors and locals have reported encounters with the spectral figure of a young woman in Tudor-era clothing, believed by some to be the ghost of Mary Boleyn, Anne’s sister. Witnesses describe seeing her phantom form walking along the castle’s ramparts or gazing out from the windows of the tower house.

Another frequently reported apparition is that of a tall, imposing man dressed in medieval attire. This entity is often seen in the castle’s great hall and is thought to be a former MacCoghlan chieftain. Visitors have described feeling an overwhelming sense of unease in his presence.

The castle’s underground chambers have been the site of numerous paranormal experiences. People exploring these areas have reported hearing disembodied footsteps, whispers, and the sound of chains dragging across stone floors. Some have even claimed to feel unseen hands touching them or tugging at their clothing.

In the surrounding grounds, witnesses have described seeing mysterious orbs of light floating near the castle walls at night, as well as hearing the faint echoes of music and laughter coming from within the empty structure. These unexplained phenomena have contributed to Clonony Castle’s reputation as one of Ireland’s most haunted locations.