MALAHIDE CASTLE & GARDENS
Remarkable castle, one of the oldest in Ireland, with sumptuous gardens, a former home of the Talbot family.
Malahide Castle is one of Ireland's oldest castles and a must-see on the outskirts of Dublin. From 1185 to 1975, it was the home of the Norman Talbot family, who managed to retain it for almost 800 years (1185-1975), with the exception of the period when Cromwell was in power (1649-1660). In 1169, at the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion, Malahide was under the control of Hammund Mac Turkill, the last Viking king of Dublin. In 1185, Richard Talbot, a knight who accompanied Henry II, King of England, to Ireland in 1174, was granted the "lands and harbor of Malahide".
An audioguide tour is available to learn more about the family history. Highlights include The Great Hall, the banqueting room containing the family portraits; The Oak Room and The Large Drawing Room, in a more rococo style. The tapestries are superb and the furniture systematically period. Legend has it that the castle is home to a ghost, Puck, who last appeared here in 1975. Outside, behind the castle, the scenery of Talbot Botanic Gardens is sumptuous. In the immense park of over 100 hectares, you can observe the seven Victorian-era greenhouses, the model railways of the Fry Railway Museum and the doll's houses of Tara's Palace. All in all, a delightful stroll. A cafeteria and craft and souvenir store complete the site and are well worth a visit.
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