Title: Leap Castle in Coolderry | Expedia.co.uk [Leap Castle Hotels](https://expedia.co.uk/Leap-Castle-Hotels.0-l6181943-0.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels)[Flights to Coolderry](https://expedia.co.uk/Cheap-Flights-To-Coolderry.d6352693.Travel-Guide-Flights)[Leap Castle Car Hire](https://expedia.co.uk/Compare-Cheap-Car-Hire-In-Leap-Castle.d6181943.Car-Hire-Guide)[Coolderry Holidays](https://expedia.co.uk/Coolderry.d6352693.Holidays-City-Breaks) # Leap Castle ## Visit Leap Castle Activities [Coolderry travel guide](https://expedia.co.uk/Coolderry.dx6352693) --- --- #### Every year Leap Castle attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world, drawn by mysterious stories of dreadful deeds and eerie apparitions. Located in Birr in County Offaly, the fortress was originally the home of the powerful O’Carroll family. Sitting in a commanding position facing the Great Pass through the Slieve Bloom Mountains to the province of Munster, it was built in 1250 to act as the family’s main stronghold. The castle, with walls nine feet thick, is said to have witnessed a number of gory murders over the centuries. One of the most gruesome took place in 1532 in a room now known as the Bloody Chapel. A bitter dispute came to an end when one of the O’Carrolls drove a sword into the back of a priest as he held mass - the priest was the murderer’s brother and the victim is said to haunt the chapel to this day. In 1922, workmen uncovered a secret dungeon full of human skeletons amassed on top of wooden spikes. It is thought they were probably prisoners sent to their deaths via a trap door. A horrific act of treachery also saw an entire 40-strong clan poisoned to death even though its members had helped the O’Carrolls in battle. However, the castle’s most famous, and most evil, supernatural resident is an elemental spirit whose apparition is said to be accompanied by the rotting stench of a decomposing corpse and the smell of sulphur. ## Plan a trip to see Leap Castle Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices. ![Grafton Street Studios](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/23000000/22290000/22283000/22282914/505e1079_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### Grafton Street Studios City Centre Dublin £408 per person 16 Mar - 20 Mar found 12 hours ago Return flight included Birmingham (BHX) to Dublin (DUB) 8.8/10 Excellent! (289 reviews) Very central, room spotless - door app took a little getting used to but very slick once we familiarised ourselves. Reviewed on 28 Oct 2025 ![The Mont](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/180000/176200/176109/46106141_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### The Mont City Centre Dublin £620 per person 16 Mar - 20 Mar found 11 hours ago Return flight included Birmingham (BHX) to Dublin (DUB) 9.6/10 Exceptional! (980 reviews) Lovely room , great position for walking everywhere Reviewed on 13 Dec 2025 ![Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/10000/7000/6919/1ffa011e_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin City Centre Dublin Save 100% on your flight £627 per person 16 Mar - 20 Mar found 12 hours ago Return flight included Birmingham (BHX) to Dublin (DUB) 9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,827 reviews) my wife and i asked for egg benidick but could not get it thanks Reviewed on 24 Dec 2025 ### Popular places to visit #### Roscrea Castle You can learn about the history of Townparks with a trip to Roscrea Castle. While in this relaxing area, you can enjoy the bars. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Roscrea-Castle-Roscrea.d553248621532489467.Attraction) #### Roscrea Golf Club Enjoy a round of golf in Townparks at Roscrea Golf Club. While in this relaxing area, you can enjoy the bars. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Roscrea-Golf-Club-Roscrea.d553248621563222313.Attraction) #### Slieve Bloom Display Centre You can study the exhibits at Slieve Bloom Display Centre, a museum with a storied past, during your travels to Kinnitty. Savour the area's bars and restaurants. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Slieve-Bloom-Display-Centre-Kinnitty.d553248621563222032.Attraction) #### Slieve Bloom 4/5(1 review) Explore the great outdoors at Slieve Bloom, a lovely green space in Kinnitty. Savour the area's bars and restaurants. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Slieve-Bloom-Kinnitty.d6090011.Attraction) #### Bernard's Pyramid You can learn about the history of Kinnitty with a stop at Bernard's Pyramid. Savour the area's bars and restaurants. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Bernards-Pyramid-Kinnitty.d6181937.Attraction) #### Ballaghmore Castle You can learn about the history of Borris-in-Ossory with a visit to Ballaghmore Castle. While in this relaxing area, you can enjoy the bars. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Ballaghmore-Castle-Borris-in-Ossory.d6177701.Attraction) --- ## Top Hotel Deals ## Check availability on hotels close to Leap Castle [Tonight ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6181943&startDate=2025-12-28&endDate=2025-12-29)[28 Dec - 29 Dec](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6181943&startDate=2025-12-28&endDate=2025-12-29) [Tomorrow night ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6181943&startDate=2025-12-29&endDate=2025-12-30)[29 Dec - 30 Dec](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6181943&startDate=2025-12-29&endDate=2025-12-30) [Next weekend ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6181943&startDate=02%2F01%2F2026&endDate=04%2F01%2F2026)[2 Jan - 4 Jan](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6181943&startDate=02%2F01%2F2026&endDate=04%2F01%2F2026) ![Racket Hall Country House](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/5000000/4020000/4015400/4015357/64c5f7f6_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Racket Hall Country House Dublin Rd Roscrea Tipperary [](https://expedia.co.uk/Roscrea-Hotels-Racket-Hall-Country-House.h4015357.Hotel-Information) ![County Arms Birr](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/5000000/4270000/4261300/4261249/d39afbac_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### County Arms Birr Moorpark Birr Offaly [](https://expedia.co.uk/Birr-Hotels-County-Arms-Hotel.h4261249.Hotel-Information) ![Kinnitty Castle Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/910000/908800/908789/a6805762_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Kinnitty Castle Hotel Kinnitty Kinnitty Offaly [](https://expedia.co.uk/Kinnitty-Hotels-Kinnitty-Castle-Hotel.h908789.Hotel-Information) ![Georgias Gate Studio Cottage - Sleeps 4 & Pets Ok](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/120000000/119640000/119635200/119635154/25bc91a8_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Georgias Gate Studio Cottage - Sleeps 4 & Pets Ok Errill County Laois [](https://expedia.co.uk/Errill-Hotels-Georgias-Gate-Studio-Cottage-Sleeps-4-Pets-Ok.h119635154.Hotel-Information) ![Apartment 3 Bedroom Banagher Town Centre](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/39000000/38950000/38944900/38944847/720e1e0b_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Apartment 3 Bedroom Banagher Town Centre Birr OY [](https://expedia.co.uk/Birr-Hotels-3-Bedroom-Loft-Apartment.h38944847.Hotel-Information) ![Apartment Sleeps 7 with Mezzanine](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/40000000/39680000/39674500/39674431/d74487d9_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Apartment Sleeps 7 with Mezzanine banagher County Offaly [](https://expedia.co.uk/Birr-Hotels-Apartment-3-Bedroom-Banagher-Town-Centre.h39674431.Hotel-Information) ![Dun Cromain Bed and Breakfast](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/16000000/15060000/15051300/15051205/5e2a68fa_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Dun Cromain Bed and Breakfast Dun Cromain Birr County Offaly [](https://expedia.co.uk/Birr-Hotels-Dun-Cromain-Bed-And-Breakfast.h15051205.Hotel-Information) ![Woodview Cottage](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/37000000/36160000/36154100/36154022/1f4e9492_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Woodview Cottage Lavagh Birr County Offaly [](https://expedia.co.uk/Birr-Hotels-Woodview-Cottage.h36154022.Hotel-Information) [See all 185 properties in Leap Castle](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.Package®ionId=6181943) Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. 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