Leap Castle

Leap Castle is an Irish castle in County Offaly, it was built in 800 Ad by the O'Bannon family and was originally called "Leim U� Bhanain," or "Leap of the O'Bannons." The O'Bannons were the "secondary chieftains" of the territory, and were subject to the ruling O'Carroll clan.

By 1557 the O'Carroll's had taken possession of Leap Castle, the O'Carroll's were a ruthless family by all accounts. Following the death of Mulrooney O'Carroll in 1532, a bitter dispute over succession to lead the clan arose. As siblings battled each other for leadership of the clan, "one-eyed" Teige O'Carroll is said to have slain his own brother, who was also a priest, as he celebrated Mass in "The Bloody Chapel".

Teige O'Carroll to celebrate his succession to head of the family held a lavish banquet at Leap Castle and invited a rural branch of his own clan to partake of his hospitality. As soon as the unfortunate guests sat down to dinner he massacred everyone one of them.

By the 17th century the days of O'Carroll occupancy were drawing to a close, and they were about to lose possession in a suitably blood- thirsty manner. A 17th century daughter of the clan fell in love with an English soldier named Captain Darby, who was being held prisoner in the castle dungeons. She smuggled food to him and eventually organised his escape. As they were making their way down the staircase, her brother suddenly confronted them, the captain silenced him with a single sword thrust. His lover then became the heiress to Leap Castle, it passed into the ownership of the captain's family when the two were later married.

Leap Castle - History

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