Eddie Lenihan, one of Ireland’s most famous seanachaí’s and the country’s foremost expert on Irish fairies will once again visit Cahernane House Hotel in Killarney where he will share some of his mythical and ghoulish stories for Halloween. Eddie was a great hit with guests last Halloween and has been invited back to Cahernane this year to tell both residents and non-residents alike ancient stories about the myths and legends of Irish folklore.
Irish fairy stories form a prominent part of Eddie’s huge repertoire, and he has collected these stories from old people all around Ireland who have had encounters with fairies or mythical creatures. He has also gathered historical tales and stories of notable figures such as the banshee, bad fairies, demon stories, accounts of saints, of monsters, ogres, giants, and ghosts. Some of the stories are not for the faint hearted and were curated from his years of research and by walking the tracks and trails of forgotten Ireland where solitary hawthorn bushes mark the sacred meeting places of the fairies.
An interesting character, and an enthralling storyteller, Eddie has captured the imagination of audiences from Dublin to Dubai. The story telling evening is open for both residents and locals. At 6.00 pm on Halloween evening there will be a guided tour of the house and Eddie Lenihan’s stories will be begin later that night at 9.30pm, after dinner. Non-residents and people in the local area are also welcome to come and listen to Eddie’s scary stories on Halloween night complimentary… if they dare!
The residential package to stay over is called ‘Halloween Story Telling at Cahernane’. It includes a two-night minimum stay and runs from Tuesday, 31st of October with guests checking out on Thursday, 2nd of November. It offers excellent value and is priced from €286 per person B&B sharing in a Deluxe Room and includes dinner on one evening. Children aged 3 -12 cost €26 per night each when sharing with their parents while children under 3 are complimentary. It also includes dinner for the family on one evening, a kid’s movie with treats and popcorn and storytelling with Eddie Lenihan in the Drawing Room.
The following morning, All Souls Day, Wednesday, November 1st, guests will meet at Killegy Graveyard to see where the original residents and builders of both Cahernane House and nearby Muckross House are buried and will hear some more interesting historical stories about the local area.
Located just outside the centre of the thriving town of Killarney, the 48-bedroom Cahernane House Hotel is still far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Kerry’s major urban centre to offer a secluded and tranquil getaway. It is located on 6.4 acres of verdant grounds and is adjacent to the Killarney Lakes and Killarney National Park.
There are great places to explore in the area including Muckross House and Ross Castle on the shore of Lough Leane. The castle was built by O’Donoghue Mór in the 15th century and is believed to be one of Ireland’s most haunted castles. It is said that every seven years O’Donoghue himself rises from the lake and circles the shore on a splendid white horse. The legend goes that those lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the spectre will have good fortune for the rest of their lives!
Cahernane House Hotel was originally built in 1877 as a family residence for Henry Herbert at a cost of £5,992. The original plans were to build a mansion three times the size of what it is presently, but the next generation of the Herbert family fell on hard times and let the property out as a hotel. As a result, the property feels and looks more like a grand, country, private residence rather than a hotel.
Reminiscent of times gone by, the house never lost its Victorian charm despite the changeover of owner’s numerous times throughout its history. It too has great history and many people have reported seeing the ghost of Gwendolyn Herbert, the daughter of the original owner of the house as she makes her way eerily up the grand hand carved oak staircase.
If you would like to book The Halloween package at Cahernane House Hotel or looking for more information please see www.cahernane.com
