Malahide CastleMalahide Castle was until 1975 the oldest and longest inhabited castle in Ireland with the same family having lived since 1185 when Richard Talbot was granted ‘the lands and harbour of Malahide’ by King Henry II in return for rendering "one archer with a horse and coat-of-mail forever". When his last male heir Milo Talbot died in 1973, the estate passed to his sister Rose who unfortunately was forced to sell the castle and its contents to pay his death duties. The Irish Government bought the castle but sadly the priceless furniture which was unique to the castle was auctioned off and lost forever. A travesty that hopefully would not happen these days but back then there was very little respect for what was seen as the heritage of the protestant ascendency....
However, it remains a very fine castle currently closed for renovations with a great history recorded in the generations of the various Talbot portraits hanging in the great hall. One particularly sad story, tells of how the family sat down to breakfast one fine morning in 1690 not knowing that fourteen of them would be dead by nightfall in the Battle of the Boyne. But somehow the family survived and evidently prospered judging by the various additions that were made to the castle including the twin round towers and the banqueting hall panelled in same Irish oak that graces Westminster Abbey in London. With the original gothic style tracery windows letting in a strained light Malahide castle is very atmospheric and believed to be haunted by several ghosts not surprisingly given its history. Milo Talbot, while a bit eccentric was a gifted plantsman who travelled the world and had another ‘Malahide’ estate in Tasmania, off Australia where his sister Rose went to live after she sold the castle. She died on Feb 14 in 2009 aged 93, the last chatelaine and Talbot of Malahide Castle. Malahide Castle is currently closed for renovations but is expected to re-open for the summer of 2012.The grounds, parklands and playground are open all year round. 10 Other things to do and see in the area are... 1 Take a tour of Malahide Castle (when it re-opens?-will post dates here and on facebook) 2 Visit the Castle Gardens, renowned garden and plantsmans paradise, over 5000 rare species, beautiful carpets of cyclamen in early autumn.(currently closed as above) 3 Enjoy a some excellent tea, coffee and homemade cakes or a light lunch in the Castle Cafe or browse the gift shop, good local history books. (currently closed as above 4 Blow the cobwebs away with a bracing walk through the parklands which remain much the same as they have always been for the last 800 years. 5 Let the kids loose in the Castle playground which was a real favourite of my kids when they were young as it had a smashing replica viking ship. 6 Take a stroll around the pretty village of Malahide with its smart shops, bars, restaurants and marina. 7 Have a 'grand' carvery lunch or afternoon tea in the Grand Hotel, good old fashioned luxury with a modern twist. 8 Drive the oastal route out around by Portmarnock strand and Golf Club to Sutton Village. 9 Take a left to drive out to Howth Harbour past, have a walk along the pier, or enjoy any of the many great seafood restaurants there. 10 Or veer right back into Dublin via St Annes Park, the Casino in Marino and Dollymount Strand.
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For more information on Malahide Castle please click here.
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