Ghosts of Wales Speak Out:

Ghosts of Wales Speak Out: Get Spooked this Halloween in Haunted Wales

NEW YORK- August 18, 2010 -- With the highest castle-to-person ratio in the world - 641 castles to three million people - and a long and turbulent history of hangings, riots and rebellions, the ghosts of Wales clamor to be seen and heard, apparently not willing to let go of centuries-old grudges. Explore haunted Wales for yourself with our five tips for ghostly encounters.

Stay in a haunted hotel. Lady Gray is the resident ghost of North Wales' Ruthin Castle Hotel, executed for murdering her husband's lover.  She is often seen roaming the castle grounds and battlements.  Ruthin is hosting a Mediaeval Banquet Murder Mystery (£44.00 per person) on Halloween eve, Saturday, October 30, 2010, and offers murder mystery dinners and guided tours of the castle walls and dungeon year-round. www.ruthincastle.co.uk.

Overlooking the Snowdonia National Park, Hotel Maes-y-Neuadd (mansion in the meadow) which dates back to the 14th century, has a haunted bedroom called the Morfa suite where a female phantom of goodly intentions thought to be the ghost of a former children's nursemaid has been known to calmly lull guests into a deep and restful slumber. No extra charge for this unique guest service - www.neuadd.com.

Llancaiaich Fawr Manor (easier to see ghosts here than pronounce its name), the living history museum of the year 1645, voted one of Britain's 10 most-haunted buildings, has no less than eight raucous residents ghosts including prank-playing children, soldiers and a maid. Ghost tours run from October through March. www.caerphilly.gov.uk/llancaiachfawr. Close by, Caerphilly Castle is said to be home of the “Green Lady of Caerphilly.” While the castle is fairytale-like, the story of the green lady is tragic: she is thought to be the spirit of Alice, a star-crossed lover who died tragically.

For more blood and gore, there is the mighty Caernarfon Castle, begun in 1283 as a military stronghold, seat of government and a royal palace by King Edward I.  The ghosts of English soldiers are said to be on constant vigil defending the castle against the native Welsh.

The ghosts of Wales are an eclectic, quirky bunch, but, like us, they seek to be understood.  So come to Wales and if you encounter a ghost, please say “hello.” They appreciate good manners.  www.visitwales.com/ghosts.

About Wales:

1. Wales is about the size of Massachusetts: 200 miles long and 70 miles across. The Capital city, Cardiff, is just two-and-a-half hours from London by train or car.
2. Wales, England and Scotland are the three distinct countries that make up the island of Britain.
3. The people of Wales are called Welsh; many speak the ancient Welsh language (and English).
4. Wales is the host nation for golf's Ryder Cup competition in October 2010. The Ryder Cup will be played at the Celtic Manor Resort near Newport.
5. Visit Wales is the government tourist office for Wales, offering vacation-planning assistance at www.visitwales.com.