Loftus
Hall is famous for its "Ghost" and this curiosity surfaces
every time the name of the place is mentioned. It has been regularly
featured in articles and films.
It also occupies the most unusual site for a country mansion as the
bleak and exposed landmark which dominates the landscape on the Hook
peninsula.
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Loftus Hall became a hotel when it was purchased from the Sisters of
Providence, better known as the "Rossminian nuns", by
Ramsgrange born Michael Devereux in 1983.
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Loftus Hall was built by the 4th Marquis of Ely in 1870-1871 on the
ruins of Redmond Hall, which had existed since 1350. Redmond Hall became
the property of the Loftus family in 1666, and afterwards the old
mansion became known as Loftus Hall.
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It was here that the famous "ghost" story originated in the
middle of the 18th century. Charles Tottenham came to live for a time at
the old Loftus Hall. |
Loftus Hall
- Photo by Cian Clarke
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On a stormy winter's night as the family relaxed before a
roaring log fire, a stranger arrived on horseback, and was
invited to stay the night.
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After the refreshments he participated in a game of cards. During the
game a card fell upon the floor. A lady who bent down to retrieve the
fallen card was shocked to discover that the stranger had a cloven foot!
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Immediately she screamed in terror. The "stranger" vanished
through the ceiling in a puff of smoke. Apparently, this was just one of
a succession of terrifying experiences associated with Loftus Hall. |
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Fr. Thomas Broaders was called upon to exorcise the disturbing evil
spirit, and his powers worked! Fr. Broaders later became parish priest
of the united parishes of the Hook and Ramsgrange for almost fifty
years.
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Canon Broaders died in January, 1773, and on his tomb in Horetown
Cemetery is the following epitaph;
"here
lies the body of Thomas Broaders,
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Who did good and prayed for all.
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And banished the Devil from Loftus Hall."
The
Loftus Hall in which the ghostly happenings occurred was leveled to the
ground in 1871 and the present mansion was erected in its place.
It is a
three storey non-basement mansion with a nine bay front. It has a balustraded parapet. One of the features of the mansion is a magnificent hand carved oak
staircase. There are other fine examples of good craftsmanship too.
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Loftus Hall was occupied by the Benedictines from 1917 to 1935, and by
the Rossminians from 1937 until 1983.
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Loftus Hall stands on 70 acres of land and includes five reception rooms and
twenty-two bedrooms. |
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