Malahide Castle facts for kids

Malahide Castle

Malahide Castle with a special ditch called a ha-ha in front

Malahide Castle (which means Caisleán Mhullach Íde in Irish) is a very old castle near the village of Malahide, about 14 kilometers (9 miles) north of central Dublin in Ireland. Some parts of the castle are from the 12th century! It sits on a huge parkland estate of over 260 acres, which is now called the Malahide Demesne Regional Park.

History of Malahide Castle

The story of Malahide Castle began in 1185. That's when Richard Talbot, a knight who came to Ireland with King Henry II, was given the land and harbor of Malahide. The Talbot family lived in this castle for an amazing 791 years, from 1185 until 1976!

Key Moments in the Castle's Past

• Brief Change of Hands: For a short time, from 1649 to 1660, the castle was taken from the Talbots. This happened during a period when Oliver Cromwell was in charge of Ireland. But after Cromwell's time ended, the castle was given back to the Talbot family.
• Growing Bigger: The castle was made much larger during the time of King Edward IV. More towers were added in 1765, making it look even grander.
• Surviving Challenges: The castle and the Talbot family went through many tough times. For example, during the Battle of the Boyne, many family members who had breakfast in the Great Hall were sadly gone by the end of the day. Even though the family stayed Catholic for a long time, the castle managed to survive difficult laws of that era.
• World War I Airships: In 1918, during the First World War, a special base for airships was set up on the castle grounds. These airships helped look for enemy submarines in the Irish Sea.
• Hidden Papers: In the 1920s, some very old and important private papers belonging to a writer named James Boswell were found at the castle. These papers were later sold and are now kept at Yale University in the USA.
• Becoming a Public Park: The last Talbot family member to own the castle was the 7th Baron Talbot. He wanted the castle to belong to the country. After he passed away in 1973, his sister Rose inherited it. She had to pay a lot of taxes, and the government wouldn't accept the castle's valuable items instead of money. So, in 1975, Rose sadly gave the castle to the Irish State so that everyone could enjoy it. Many of the castle's original furnishings had to be sold, but some were later bought back by private groups and the government.

Visiting Malahide Castle and Gardens

Today, Malahide Castle is a popular place for visitors! It's managed by Shannon Heritage, which works with Fingal County Council.

Inside the Castle

You can take a guided tour inside the castle to explore its history. You'll see famous rooms like the Oak Room and the Great Hall, which tells the story of the Talbot family. The Great Hall can even be rented for special events! In the courtyard behind the castle, there's a café and a craft shop where you can find souvenirs.

Exploring the Gardens and Park

• Talbot Botanic Gardens: Behind the castle are the beautiful Talbot Botanic Gardens. These gardens have many different plants and large lawns. There's a special walled garden and seven glasshouses, including an old Victorian one. You'll find many interesting plants from places like Chile and Australia, collected by the 7th Lord Talbot.
• The Demesne Park: The large park around the castle is one of the few remaining 18th-century parks with wide lawns and a protective belt of trees. You can visit the park for free and enjoy woodland walks or an "exercise trail."
• Sports and Fun: The park also has sports fields, including a cricket pitch and football pitches. There's a 9-hole golf course, an 18-hole pitch-and-putt course, tennis courts, and a boules area. Near the golf facilities, there's a pavilion with another café.
• Children's Playground: There's a big playground for kids near the castle, perfect for some fun!
• Getting Around: A road train runs in a loop from the castle to the railway station during certain times of the year. You can also take a Malahide Castle and coastal tour bus that starts at the castle.

Past Exhibits at the Castle

Two popular exhibits used to be at Malahide Castle but have since moved:

• Tara's Palace Museum of Childhood: This museum, full of toys and childhood items, moved to Powerscourt Estate in 2011.
• Fry Model Railway: This amazing model railway collection was at the castle from 1988 to 2010. After some time, it reopened in 2020 at the restored Casino House nearby.

Cricket at Malahide Castle

The castle grounds are home to the Malahide Cricket Club. It's also a place where big international cricket matches are played, with teams from countries like Australia, England, and Pakistan. In September 2013, over 10,000 people came to watch a match here, which was a record for Ireland!

How to Get to Malahide Castle

The Park at Malahide Castle

You can enter the park from the Malahide Road or from Malahide village. Dublin Bus routes 42, 102, and 142 stop along one side of the park. The Malahide Railway Station is also close to the castle.

Concerts at Malahide Castle

Since 2007, the grounds of Malahide Castle have become a popular place for big outdoor concerts. Many famous bands and singers have performed here, attracting thousands of fans.

Concert History

World Scout Moot Event

The castle grounds were supposed to be the main camp for the 16th World Scout Moot, a big international scouting event. It was planned for July and August 2021, but it had to be canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

See also

In Spanish: Castillo de Malahide para niños

• Baron Talbot of Malahide
• Thomas Talbot
• List of tourist attractions in Ireland