Dún An Óir
Dún An Óir, located on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland, is a 16th-century promontory fort with a dark and bloody history. In 1580, during the Second Desmond Rebellion, the fort became the site of a massacre when English forces under Lord Grey de Wilton besieged and slaughtered over 600 Irish and Spanish soldiers who had surrendered.
The tragic events at Dún An Óir have left an indelible mark on the area, with numerous ghost stories and paranormal encounters reported over the centuries. Visitors and locals alike have described hearing the anguished cries of soldiers echoing across the fort’s ruins, particularly on foggy nights. Some witnesses claim to have seen spectral figures in period clothing wandering the cliffs, only to vanish when approached.
One persistent legend tells of a Spanish soldier’s ghost who appears near the fort’s entrance, seemingly trying to warn people away from the site. Others have reported the sound of clashing swords and cannon fire, despite no visible source for the noise.
In the nearby village, residents have shared accounts of unexplained knocks on their doors late at night, with no one there when they answer. Some believe these are the spirits of the massacred soldiers seeking refuge.
A local fisherman once reported seeing a ghostly ship anchored off the coast near Dún An Óir, which disappeared as he approached. This sighting is thought to be connected to the Spanish ships that brought reinforcements during the rebellion.
Address
Dunanoir Fort, R559, County Kerry, IrelandR559
V92 P681 Kenmare Municipal District,