This magnificent 12th century castle is set in 260 acres of land and is one of the oldest castles in Ireland. It has been home to the Talbot family for nearly 800 years from 1174, when Richard Talbot, a knight of Henry ll, accompanied the king to Ireland and was given the “lands and harbour of Malahide” for his “war-like” services in the Anglo-Norman conquest. Eleven years’ later the Castle was built as the family seat, and remained so until 1975, save for ten years when it fell into Cromwell’s clutches.
Today friendly guides and a brand new interactive exhibition help you explore its rich history and interior. Visit the Oak Room, Small and Great Drawing Rooms and the Great Hall before heading to the Walled Garden, home to some of the world’s rarest plants. The interactive garden exhibition tells the story of Lord Milo Talbot – the visionary behind this fascinating collection and the last Lord of Malahide who died in 1973. The Demesne has marked pathways, a children’s playground, picnic sites, and sports facilities including 9-hole golf course. Back at the Castle, a gift shop and Avoca foodhall, café and retail store complete this enchanting daytrip. Find it 13kms north of Dublin on the DART line.
Open daily 9.30am-5pm. Last guided tour of Castle 3.30pm (Nov-Mar). Adult
€12, Child €6, Student €8, Senior €7.50, Family (2+2) €26 (2+6) €30.
Category: Malahide & Howth
Malahide
Many Dublin visitors make this final stop on the Northern DART line their out-of-city base. Its grand Castle, coastal location and proximity to the equally attractive Howth make it easy to understand why. Malahide’s charming village ambience and sweeping seascapes ensure its status as one of Ireland’s most affluent addresses.
A stroll around town reveals cute boutiques, tasty delis, trad bars and some fine dining options. And its 350-berth Marina attracts a yachting fraternity happy to hob-nob with local celebs and all you in-the-know tourists. Find it around 13kms, or around 25mins by DART, north of the city centre.
