
The real haunted castle in Offaly behind Wednesday's new season
Nestled in the heart of County Offaly, the 18th-century castle has long had a reputation for being one of Ireland's most haunted spots. Flickering lights, phantom footsteps, and the mischievous spirit of a little girl named Harriet have given visitors chills for years.
Now, the castle is about to get a whole new generation of spooks, thanks to Netflix's Wednesday. If the walls of Charleville Castle could talk, they'd probably start with a dramatic 'Boo!' Pic: Netflix
Season two of the delightfully macabre series, which drops tomorrow, filmed key scenes at Charleville, making it officially the only place in Ireland where you might trip over both a ghost and a member of the Addams family in the same hallway.
Offering a look into the ghostly goings on via their website, the team at Charleville House wrote: 'The castle is reputed to be haunted by a little girl named Harriet, youngest daughter of the third Earl of Charleville, who died tragically in the main staircase of the building at the age of 8 in April 1861.
'Her presence in the castle has been reported many times by many different people… Singing in the middle of the night, laughing, screams, etc…Some people think they have caught her on their cameras as they can see shadows or mists on the pictures they took within the castle…' Nestled in the heart of County Offaly, the 18th-century castle has long had a reputation for being one of Ireland's most haunted spots. Flickering lights, phantom footsteps, and the mischievous spirit of a little girl named Harriet have given visitors chills for years.Pic: Charleville Castle
Others have famously seen the little girl wearing a blue and white dress, with golden curls and blue ribbons in her hair.
The castle has been extensively investigated by numerous paranormal investigators and psychics from around the world, having been featured on Living TV's Most Haunted and ABC Family's Scariest Places On Earth, as well as on Ghost Hunters International.
Previously speaking to Newstalk, events coordinator at Charleville Castle, Terri Dale-Kearney spoke of the tragic story and the one room that still gives her chills. Now, the castle is about to get a whole new generation of spooks, thanks to Netflix's Wednesday. Pic: Vlad Cioplea/Netflix
'Our resident ghost is Harriet – she's an eight-year-old little girl,' she began. 'She fell just behind where we are standing, and broke her neck and her back – unfortunately, it's very tragic.
'She has been here for years; I've been here for almost 20 years, and I have had more than a few experiences I think at the hands of her trickery and her playing.'
So, whether you're a thrill-seeker hoping to glimpse Harriet skipping through the corridors or just a Wednesday fan eager to spot some familiar spots on screen, Charleville Castle is ready for its close-up, and maybe a few cold spots.
Wednesday Season Two Part 1 lands on Netflix on August 6 with Part 2 premiering on September 3 .
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
9 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Clarkson's Farm's glam farmhand Harriet Cowan's emotional message after exit from show
CLARKSON's Farm star Harriet Cowan has shared an emotional message about farming following her exit from the show. The glam star rose to fame after being signed up for the latest series of the Prime Video show as Kaleb Cooper's temporary replacement. 4 Harriet Cowan has shared an emotional message about farming after leaving the show Credit: Instagram 4 She spoke out abut farming as a dying industry Credit: Instagram/@beaumontandbear Harriet, 24, joined Jeremy Clarkson at Diddly Squat Farm in order to offer her expertise and display her passion for farming. Now, she is continuing to flaunt her passion for all to see and has shared a new emotional message to Instagram. Today, farmers across the country look set to mark Farm24, an annual event that aims to showcase the best of British farming with people encouraged to share content about their farming endeavours across social media for 24 hours from 5am to 5am the following day. Harriet, who now boasts over 550,000 followers, is leading the campaign. In a video to mark the day, she said: "Farm24 is showcasing to the general public, over a 24-hour period, what a farmer gets up to. "The Government should invest more time and money into farming because we need it. It's a bit of a dying industry otherwise. "Going forward, I hope that the next generation of farmers will be recognised more by the public and the Government, especially to put British farming on the map and for people to be aware that we are here." She went on to add: "Being part of the community is probably the most rewarding part for me. You have your neighbours and you're all in tune with each other. "You can talk, and if you're having problems, they'll all be there to help you." Her poignant message comes one month after we told how the farmer was hoping to rake in the cash following her TV fame after setting up her own business. Clarkson's Farm gives update on fan-favourite star and they look VERY different Following her instant fame, she has set up a private company called Farmfluence, incorporated on July 1. Its nature of business is listed as "motion picture, video and television programme post-production activities" and Harriet is the sole director/shareholder. PR expert Lynn Carratt has speculated on just how she could earn in the future. Speaking to The Sun, she told us: 'Harriet has around 1.2 million followers across Instagram and TikTok. "If she is savvy she could rake in £500,000 in the next 12 months.' If that wasn't enough she has also signed to top talent agency Off Limits Entertainment, which has helped lots of reality stars including Love Island hunk Chris Hughes. Harriet appeared on Clarkson's Farm during the latest series but left Jezza's farm after Kaleb returned and her work was complete. There have been calls from fans to bring the star back for the next series. 4 The star rose to fame on the Prime Video show Credit: Instagram


Irish Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Stay near where Netflix's Wednesday was filmed in Ireland
Spooky hit show Wednesday is back on screens for its second series - which was filmed in Ireland. The Netflix gothic comedy is the biggest ever show on the streaming platform and Irish fans in particular will be excited about season two. The Addams Family spin-off - which features Jenna Ortega in the lead role of supernatural sleuth Wednesday Addams - was filmed in Wicklow, Offaly and Dublin. The dark fantasy's first series was filmed three years ago in Romania but makers moved production to Ireland for the new one. Tanaiste Simon Harris met with its legendary director Tim Burton and crew on location in Co Wicklow for what is said to be the biggest production ever in Ireland. Dramatic landscapes can be seen throughout the series, including Powerscourt Demesne in Enniskerry, with its waterfall and gardens, as well as the mountain village of Roundwood. Gothic Charleville Castle in Co Offaly makes an appearance, as does Deansgrange Cemetery, the final resting place of former Taoiseach Sean Lemass and singer Sinead O'Connor. Filming also took place in Trinity Business School in Dublin. First look at Wednesday on Netflix To mark the new series, accommodation platform Airbnb has chosen some spooky stays near where the show was filmed. Fans of Wednesday can immerse themselves in the eerie charm that made Nevermore Academy a global obsession. They can also stay in the locations where the cast were spotted. Derek Nolan, head of public policy for Ireland at Airbnb, said: "Ireland's haunting landscapes made the perfect backdrop for Season 2 of Wednesday. "We're excited to showcase stays near these iconic and rural filming locations, giving guests a chance to explore their rich history - and add a touch of the supernatural to their next getaway." Cullen's Studio Lodge, Roundwood, Co Wicklow Roundwood, Co. Wicklow - Cullen's Studio Lodge 1 This tiny cobbled home accommodates two guests and is located just on the outskirts of Roundwood village. Nestled in the middle of the Wicklow mountains, this stay is bound to transport you straight into the world of Wednesday. Boutique apartment, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow - Boutique apartment in Enniskerry village A perfect place to call home whilst you visit the nearby Powerscourt House and Gardens. Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow - Boutique apartment in Enniskerry village This cosy stay is perfect for two guests looking to explore the iconic filming locations and take in the rich history of the surrounding area. Knockmore Garden Wing, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow Enniskerry, - Knockmore Garden Wing The perfect spooky spot for a couple who are looking to explore the Powerscourt filming locations and come home to a whimsical stay. It's the place to stay if you are a fan of the supernatural botany scenes in the hit show and are looking to admire the surrounding landscapes. Three-bedroom bath house, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow Enniskerry, Co Wicklow - Spacious modern 3 bedroom/bath house If you are looking to immerse yourself in the eerie landscapes, this apartment is just a short drive away from the foreboding Powerscourt Waterfall. A great option for those looking to travel in a larger group as it accommodates six guests. Two-bedroom apartment in Tullamore, Co Offaly Located near Charleville Castle, this four-guest stay is the perfect place to have a watch party after visiting the castle. Filled with books and a spiral staircase, the two-bedroom apartment is the ideal location to relax and watch the new season after a day of exploring. Period Irish manor, Ballycumber House, Co Offaly Ballycumber, Offaly - Period Irish Manor The driveway screams Nevermore Academy. Located a short drive away from Charleville Castle, this stay accommodates large groups of up to 16 people. Explore the manor and its formidable grounds late at night before curling up to watch the hit show. Ballycumber, Offaly - Period Irish Manor Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here


Irish Times
5 hours ago
- Irish Times
Séamus O'Reilly: I'm so sorry for my role in encouraging Netflix
The Netflix documentary has become its own genre, and one whose tropes are recognisable at a glance. They include the introductory quotes along the lines of 'We were a typical all-American family' or 'March 3rd, 1996, began like any other day'; the opening flash-forward to the story's climax quickly that segues into a trip back in time to the story's beginning; the establishing shots of interviewees preparing to be recorded, always adjusting mics or sipping water as the camera pulls focus; and drone footage of suburban landscapes overlaid with the placenames in huge block capitals. There are also – always, always, always – more episodes than are remotely necessary to tell the story, resulting in the grievous bloat that must help satisfy Netflix's viewership metrics. None of these is a novel observation, of course. People have bemoaned the cookie-cutter aesthetic of such documentaries for years. For so long, in fact, that it's eight years since Netflix released the first series of American Vandal, a hilarious school-set mockumentary that parodied its own style. Those of us who thought this might put an end to the trend have been disabused of this notion fairly regularly in the long years since. READ MORE One recent transmogrification of the Netflix-doc aesthetic is the anthology series Trainwreck, which began with Woodstock '99 , in 2022, and has since had entries on the Balloon Boy scandal, the Astroworld Festival disaster and, this year, the notorious poop cruise. Each kept many of the tropes on board but, crucially, averted the bloat by keeping each subject to a single episode of, often, less than an hour. That was until last week's premiere of Trainwreck: Storm Area 51, the series' first two-parter. Storm Area 51 is based on the true story of the Facebook meme page that managed to incite thousands of disconnected internet users to mount a charge on Area 51 , the infamous US military facility – and long-rumoured harbourer of UFO artefacts – in Nevada. At the centre of all this is Matty Roberts, a shitposter who got bored one day and started a Facebook event called 'Storm Area 51, They Can't Stop All of Us'. Within weeks, hundreds of thousands of users – millions, even – tagged themselves as going, and of those who eventually made the trip we meet more than a few, a motley crew of internet-poisoned freaks who turn out to be a surprisingly variable group. There are your standard attention-seeking microinfluencers, some New Age hippie types, a solid contingency of tactical-gear-wearing conspiracy cultists, and several varieties of stoner burnout adrenaline junkies – one of whom is good enough to make that appellation charmingly literal by explaining that he was attracted to the cause because he reckoned 'there was probably going to be a lot of adrenaline at this event'. [ Irish actor Pauline McLynn joins Coronation Street Opens in new window ] The one thing they all have in common – and I can say this with authority, having watched two hours of their adventures in the desert in 2019 – is that they're dumb as rocks. Watching them mount their charge on Area 51 is at times like watching pigeons trying to work the Large Hadron Collider, a diverting event rendered meaningless by the fact that it takes place without purpose. Or even, one sometimes worries, without sentience. That a crowdsourced band of kooky misfits decide to swarm a heavily guarded secret military installation is objectively interesting. The fact that a good number of them do so out of a genuine belief in aliens is worthy of a documentary. That most of them did it for no reason other than to assuage a cosmic state of boredom is more compelling still. The issue, however, is that all of these people are profoundly irritating to spend time with. Hearing them out is a near-interminable slog. The show has been a big hit, but it's almost impossible to get through. As I'm a creature of the internet, it should be right up my street. Instead I find spending time – any time at all – with them prohibitively taxing. Were I not considering it for review, I would have turned it off in minutes. As such, my complete watch of its two episodes leaves me having gained nothing in particular save the knowledge that said watch will, now and forever, count towards its tally of views, making it 0.0001 per cent more likely that we'll get more like this in future. For this, and so much else, I'm truly sorry. More gripping by half is the new historical epic Chief of War ( AppleTV+ , Fridays), a lightly fictionalised retelling of the unification of Hawaii , produced, cowritten by and starring Jason Momoa . The date is sometime toward the end of the 18th century, before the modern nation of Hawaii had been established, and four separate kingdoms – Hawai'i, O'ahu, Mau'i and Kaua'i – exist in states of hot and cold war. Chief of War reminds us that few actors are capable of delivering a frowning silence so eloquently Momoa plays Ka'iana, a battle-hardened son of Maui's chief of war, now living in self-imposed exile in neighbouring Kaua'i, where he has renounced war and lives with his clan in modest obscurity, all but shunned by locals. Once a mighty warrior, he's reduced to subsisting via the raddest way imaginable: hunting giant sharks and wrestling them to death for their meat. Soon, of course, he's called back to his ancestral home, amid talk of a new threat from which he, the prodigal son, must now defend them. Here, too, we meet many tropes of genre: the reluctant hero, the returning native, the wearied winter soldier attempting to put violence – of the nonshark variety – behind him. And it's true that there's talk of duty, honour and family, of ancient prophecies and scheming foreign viziers, all of which quite often veers toward the prosaic. What elevates Chief of War is the attention it pays to so many other aspects of its presentation. For one thing, the entire show is delivered in the indigenous Olelo Hawai'ian language, which is pretty brave – and commendable – of Momoa and his cowriter, Thomas Pa'a Sibbett. Its central performances, too, afford its slightly off-the-peg characters much-needed extra depth. [ A Minecraft Movie review: Jason Momoa and Jack Black have a ball in a proudly silly family adventure Opens in new window ] If Momoa is more often cast now in breezy wisecracking roles – delivering, it must be said, decidedly mixed results – Chief of War reminds us that few actors are capable of delivering a frowning silence so eloquently. Elsewhere, the ever-dependable Temuera Morrison is given plenty of scope to suffuse his performance as Maui's stoical chief with a deep reserve of coiled, seething menace. Chief of War is also uncommonly sumptuous, from its beautifully lensed vistas and spectacular production design to its bloodily effective action set pieces and appropriately epic Hans Zimmer score. This is a big story, on a big canvas, and for all its genre trappings it's prepared to take bigger risks than one might expect. Two episodes in, I'd wager those risks may well pay off.