In 1829, Peter Daly acquired the original 16th-century Corell Castle and transformed it into a grand Georgian-style mansion. The wealth that funded this transformation had its origins far from Galway – Daly had operated a coffee plantation in Jamaica, worked by enslaved Africans under the brutal conditions of the British colonial system. Original land grant documents held in the Jamaica National Archives confirm that ownership of enslaved people was a legal requirement of running the plantation. This history was the subject of Jamaica Daly, a 2026 RTÉ Documentary On One production, in which members of the Daly family trace and reflect on their ancestor’s involvement in the slave trade.

Although the mansion now stands in ruin, the structure still carries echoes of its former elegance. A large arched window once dominated the front façade, but time has worn it down to a jagged gap – one that gives the building a stern, almost frowning appearance. Fitting, perhaps, for a site tied to such a tragic tale.

Castle Daly was known for its lavish hospitality. The Daly family frequently hosted glittering parties attended by Galway’s high society. One such event – a grand engagement celebration – was said to be especially extravagant. Guests enjoyed fine food, flowing wine, music, and dancing well into the night. Outside, however, a violent winter storm raged. As the night drew to a close, the Daly family, concerned for their guests’ safety, insisted they stay overnight. The offer was warmly accepted, and visitors made their way to guest rooms upstairs.

Later that night, some of the guests, snug in their borrowed rooms, heard the unmistakable sounds of another party beginning downstairs – music, laughter, footsteps. Curious and perhaps slightly unnerved, a few ventured down to investigate. What they encountered was not another celebration – but a scene of unimaginable horror. Under cover of the storm, a group of rebels had entered the castle. They had brutally murdered the Daly family and their staff in cold blood.

Today, the castle stands in ruin on private land and is not accessible without permission. But those who have passed nearby have reported hearing strange sounds echoing through the stones: music, laughter, and what sounds like a party in full swing. Some claim that if you stay long enough, the joyous noise slowly gives way to terrified screams and blood-curdling cries – an echo of that fateful night when celebration turned to slaughter.