Ross Castle (NOT to be mistaken for a castle in Killarney with the same name) is a rather imposing 16th-century building on Lough Sheelin.
The first owner was Richard Nugent, 12th Earl of Delvin, who had the castle built in 1536. Nugent, who was called "the Black Baron", was so eager to punish crime in his area that he had an innocent man hanged for stealing a loaf of bread (the real culprit was a dog).
In true Romeo-and-Juliet fashion, the Black Baron's daughter, Sabina, fell in love with Orwin O'Reilly, member of an enemy family. After many a secret meeting, the two decided to elope. They set sail across the lake, but a storm blew up and capsized their boat. When Sabina awoke, three days later, she learned that Orwin had drowned. Distraught, she refused food and drink, with the predictable result.
Sabina still haunts her former home; some say that she is being punished for the heartless actions of her father. He has not escaped his own punishment, though; his ghost has been sighted many times.
The first owner was Richard Nugent, 12th Earl of Delvin, who had the castle built in 1536. Nugent, who was called "the Black Baron", was so eager to punish crime in his area that he had an innocent man hanged for stealing a loaf of bread (the real culprit was a dog).
In true Romeo-and-Juliet fashion, the Black Baron's daughter, Sabina, fell in love with Orwin O'Reilly, member of an enemy family. After many a secret meeting, the two decided to elope. They set sail across the lake, but a storm blew up and capsized their boat. When Sabina awoke, three days later, she learned that Orwin had drowned. Distraught, she refused food and drink, with the predictable result.
Sabina still haunts her former home; some say that she is being punished for the heartless actions of her father. He has not escaped his own punishment, though; his ghost has been sighted many times.
