University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Gimghoul Castle - Dromgoole's Castle

Chapel Hill, NC · Colleges and Universities

Ghimghoul Castle near the University of North Carolina campus is a ruin with many legends attached. One says that 18-year-old Peter Dromgoole was buried here in 1833 after he lost a duel for the hand of his beloved Miss Fanny. Another tale says that Fanny loved Peter and didn't know he had been murdered. She waited for him and finally passed away of grief. In still other incarnations, Peter died in Fanny's arms as he took the shot from his dueling opponent. Reports say that in reality Peter Dromgoole was a young man who applied to UNC in 1833 but left for Europe when he didn't get in. His uncle, George C. Dromgoole, actually did fight a duel in 1837, but wasn't shot.

Geographic Information

Address
Gimghoul Road
Chapel Hill, NC
Get Directions »
GPS
35.91197598, -79.03602733
County
Orange County County, North Carolina
Nearest Towns

Quick Answers

Is University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Gimghoul Castle - Dromgoole's Castle really haunted?
Visitors rate University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Gimghoul Castle - Dromgoole's Castle at 39.1 out of 100 on our EHP (Estimated Haunted Probability) scale. So far 2 people have shared firsthand experiences from this location in the comments.
Where is University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Gimghoul Castle - Dromgoole's Castle located?
The address is Gimghoul Road, Chapel Hill, NC. GPS coordinates: 35.91197598, -79.03602733.
What kind of haunted place is University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Gimghoul Castle - Dromgoole's Castle?
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Gimghoul Castle - Dromgoole's Castle is listed under Colleges and Universities in our North Carolina section.
What is the nearest town to University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Gimghoul Castle - Dromgoole's Castle?
Chapel Hill, NC is the closest town, about 1.1 miles away, with Carrboro (2.2 mi.) and Fearrington (7.6 mi.) also nearby.

Please note: It is your responsibility to acquire appropriate permissions before investigating any location listed on this site. Private property should be respected at all times, as should all posted signs concerning trespassing, hours of operation and other regulations.

Share Your Experiences

Comments (2)

  • Michael Parks |

    This Castle is not in Ruins as the site mentions. It is owned, used, and maintained by UNC's 'Ghimgool Society', a secret Fraternity composed of Brothers from the school's other fraternities.
    While the Castle is typically closed to the public, Half of the castle is lived in full-time by a caretaker (and family) while the other half is composed mainly of a Large Banquet Hall (where I once ran sound for a band performing for the Ghimgool Society's St. Patrick's Day party) and a few other 'meeting rooms'. There is a circular staircase in the center of the Castle which ascends a 'watchtower spire' and opens on the top to a lookout spot.
    In the 'Back Yard' there is a very small stone Amphitheater, just large enough for a Sunday Prayer Service or other such gathering.
    Down a footpath adjacent to the 'front yard' you will find a stone 'throne' of sorts that may or may not be man-made. This 'throne' is the central point of most of the "Legends of the Lovers" that are mentioned on this site, most of which claim this is the spot where either the dying duelist took his last breath, or where the forelorn girl sat waiting for the return of her lover.
    All in all it is a beautiful building, in a private, quiet and serene location, just be careful treading too closely... the Ghimgool Society still uses this castle regularly and there is almost certainly always someone home watching for sneaky explorers.

  • stuart george |

    The grounds are magical

Disclaimer: The stories posted here are user-submitted and are, in the truest sense, ghost stories. Haunted Places makes no claims that any of these stories are factually accurate or scientifically provable.