JN 3 (R125) VIA FELTRIM ROAD
Set in over 250 acres of parkland close to the seaside town of Malahide, Malahide Castle has a long and rich history and played a key role in medieval Irish history. The oldest parts of the castle date back to the twelfth century and were enlarged in the reign of Edward IV, with the towers added circa 1600 – 1650. Malahide Castle was home to the Talbot family for almost 800 years. It is open to the public and, along with guided tours of its interior, the castle also offers a host of other things for visitors to see and do.
How far back can you catalogue your family tree? Well at Malahide Castle and Gardens the history of the Talbot family dates back to as far as 1175 and is one of the oldest castles in Ireland, set on 260 acres, this magnificent & historic castle was home to the Talbot family for over 800 years.
Malahide Castle has a long and rich history and played a central role in Medieval Irish history. The oldest parts of the castle date back to the 12th century. The building was notably enlarged in the reign of Edward IV, and the towers added circa 1600-1650. The estate survived such losses as the Battle of the Boyne and the Penal Laws. It was home to the Talbot family for almost 800 years (1185 to 1975).
Malahide Castle was built by the Talbots, an English family holding the title Earls of Shrewsbury, who had arrived in England during the Norman invasion with William the Conqueror. The French origin of the name was Tailbois or Talebot, and they had been Barons of Cleuville in Normandy before their arrival in England. Their name is thought to be first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
Richard Talbot arrived in Ireland in 1174, and in 1185 he was granted the lands and harbour of Malahide by Henry II for his “war-like” services in the Anglo-Norman conquest of Ireland. With the exception of a short time during the Cromwellian period the Talbot family resided in Malahide for the next eight centuries. Their first stronghold was possibly a Motte and bailey castle, the earthwork remains of a Motte survive at Wheatfields southeast of Malahide, before a stone castle was built on the site of the current Malahide Castle. The family had an established coat of arms by the 14th century bearing a lion and a hound. Their motto “Forte-et-Fidele”, Brave and Faithful, would appear to refer to the lion and hound respectively.
