Skryne Castle stands just a short distance from the iconic Hill of Tara, in a landscape rich with spiritual resonance and early Irish Christian heritage. The name “Skryne” comes from Scrín Choluim Chille, meaning “Shrine of Columba,” referring to a relic of St. Colmcille that was said to have been brought here for safekeeping after the Viking raid on Iona in 878 AD.

The castle itself likely began as a late 15th- or early 16th-century tower house, possibly built atop an earlier Norman motte. In 1780, it was expanded with the addition of a three-storey Georgian residence. Around 1830, Gothic-style windows and battlements were added, lending it the romantic silhouette we see today—one that would have appealed to Victorian tastes.

Over the centuries, the castle has changed ownership many times. In more recent decades, it was offered as self-catering accommodation, though it is now leased to a private tenant and closed to the public. Still, the ghost stories surrounding it have endured—and continue to chill the spine.

The most unsettling of these tales concerns the ghost of a distressed woman. Former guests have described a spectral figure in torn white garments, clutching her throat and fleeing in terror—as if being pursued by something unseen.

In the 1960s, American parapsychologist Hans Holzer visited the castle, reportedly investigating the hauntings through local folklore and oral tradition. Some accounts claim he was accompanied by British medium Sybil Leek, and that a séance may have taken place in the gardens—though this is not confirmed in Holzer’s published work.

According to the narrative Holzer assembled, the story dates back to the 1740s, when the castle was owned by Sir Bramley Casing. He was said to be the legal guardian of a young woman named Lilith Palmerston—though in other versions, she may have been a maid in the household. Lilith allegedly caught the unwanted attention of a neighbouring landowner and widower named Phelim Sellers. Sellers was widely disliked and rumoured to have been violent toward his late wife. Darker whispers suggested he may even have had a hand in her death, though no investigation was ever carried out. Despite Lilith’s discomfort around Sellers, he continued to pursue her. One night, he made an advance which she firmly rejected—prompting a violent outburst. Fortunately, nearby servants intervened before he could do any real harm. Deeply shaken, Lilith resolved to leave Skryne and relocate to Dublin. Her guardian reportedly agreed.

But Sellers soon learned of her plan—and flew into a rage.

He broke into the castle, stormed her room, and attacked her once more. In some accounts, he strangled her. In others, he forced foxgloves—known to be toxic—down her throat. Either way, Lilith did not survive. Sellers fled to Galway but was eventually caught and hanged for her murder.

While historical records do not confirm the existence of either Lilith Palmerston or Phelim Sellers, the legend has taken hold—and the castle continues to be associated with unexplained phenomena.

Visitors and former caretakers have reported seeing a ghostly young woman running through the upper floors. Her panicked screams have echoed through the halls on quiet nights, leaving a deep sense of dread. An overweight male figure in 18th-century clothing has also been seen, often near doorways or at the foot of the stairs. Heavy footsteps have been heard moving between the upper rooms and the tower—long after the castle has fallen silent.

The property is also said to be haunted by the spirit of a nun who vanishes without a trace when noticed. A tall man accompanied by a ghostly hunting hound has also been linked to the site, though sightings of this pair appear to have faded in recent times.