In the County of Fingal among the towns of Swords, Kinsealy and Porthmarnock there is a picturesque and charming place called Malahide.Famous for its beautiful castle full of legends and mystery,Malahide is also a a very charming seaside resort with historic pubs,streets decorated with beautiful flowers and a very lively atmosphere near its harbour.
Malahide is one of the richest area in the suburbs of the Irish Capital Dublin,famous in all the country for its splendid marina and furthermore considered one of the places for Dubliners relaxing weekends and escapes from the rhythms of the stressful urban life.This town of approximately 25,000 inhabitants grew in popularity as a Georgian seaside resort for the wealthy inhabitants of the city of Dublin reaching in a short time fame and popularity.All that is evident and visible today by the fine and elegant Georgian houses present in the town and along the coast with its a lively marina and a very peaceful beach in autumn and winter so pleasant to enjoy in a lovely walk contemplating the maritime horizon.
The town lies on the estuary of the river Broadmeadow opposite the town of Donabate,located approximately 17,0 km north of the Capital of the country,the stunning city of Dublin.The main street opens to the harbour continuing along the promenade with a stunning Marina and from where you can reach the beach.Malahide is currently a very active centre in terms of culture and art and furthermore often the town hosts important national events,concerts and festivals.
The name of Malahide derives from the Gaelic Mullach Ide literally translated means sand hills of Hydes or possibly according other versions derived from the Irish-Celt Baile Átha Thíd meaning the town of the ford of Thíd.The origin of the name has always created debates and another version is that is the
he proper name is linked and related to the name of a noble Norman family residing in the nearest Donabate,established in this area after the invasion of the Anglo-Normans in Ireland.
There are really a multitude of contrasting opinions and versions about the origin of that name, someone added furthermore the town with nickname or other names how the town was called in other ways linked to the promontory of St.Anger when the bay of the current resort was was anciently called in Celt language Inber Domnann, the river-mouth of the Fir Domnann.One thing is certain,Ireland is a great and attractive country also for all that,legends,mysteries,ancient histories,contrasting opinions make this country unique in its kind.
Although were found in territory of Malahide some prehistoric remnants,the history of Malahide highlights started when the Vikings landed on the coast at the end of the 700 in an almost inhabited area and they were for long time rulers of the area.The 12th century and exactly in the year 1169 there was the famous the Anglo-Norman invasion when in Malahide fall the last rule of the former Viking dynasty with Hammund Mac Turkill,the last Viking King of Dublin who in fierce battles the King trying to defend his beloved land which ended under English rule.
Since 1180 the area's history is tied to the Talbot family who built the famous Malahide Castle and the picturesque harbour.The town became famous for tourism in the Georgian period already evident by the presence of numerous buildings in that style along the coast.
Today Malahide is a lovely tourist town, divided between the small charming centre with the village harbour, the picturesque beach and and several attractions,there is a big number of pubs and restaurants for all tastes, where the visitor can taste typical Irish food or exotic as well and naturally the magnificent presence of Malahide Castle is a great incentive to visit this resort during your stay in Dublin or organising a tailor made tour of Eire.
About five minutes walking from the Train Station,starts a path crossing a picturesque forest and in a short time you can admire the beautiful Malahide Castle.Note this castle is one of the oldest historical monuments of Ireland.From 1185 to 1975 it was home of the Talbot family, a possession of a remarkable family that was one of the most powerful and influent with several properties in all the area.
The castle calls you back to ancient times and medieval knights,Malahide Castle is one of the famous sights in Ireland inspiring great charm,rich in history and packed by legends at the same time.Surrounded by a beautiful verdant area of approximately 11 hectares,cultivated for over 700 years and part of the public gardens of Malahide.The construction of the castle began in 1185 when Richard Talbot, a noble man who came with Henry II in Ireland was awarded as Malahide Lord.Originally the castle was used both as a fortress and as a private residence for over 800 years.The Talbot family lived there for over 790 years, apart a very short period from 1649 to 1660 when in those eleven years the castle was occupied by Oliver Cromwell. .
Apart the impressive exterior,the interiors of the castle are beautiful,with fine decorations and furniture,the most famous rooms of the castle are the Oak Room and the Great Hall which can be rented for private banquets.The Great Hall has been since 1475 the formal banquet hall of the castle and gives you the unique opportunity to host an exclusive dinner in one of the most elegant place in Ireland.The castle was awarded several times for its appearance and excellent maintenance and also contains a relevant and splendid Botanical Garden with plants and trees from Chile,Peru,New Zeland and Australia.
This castle is also full of legends and mysteries.The legends about the castle are an attractive place for visitors,say that all the castles and historic houses have or had ghosts and Malahide Castle in its many centuries has different ghosts.
One of those ghosts according a legend is the grandson of Lord Talbot who appears and occupies the castle,one night every 25 years.Apart this first legend anyway the castle has other five.The first is the spectre of a young Lord named Walter Hussey alias Lord Galtrim, the son of the Baron Galtrim.The noble man was killed in the 15th century in a duel on his wedding day and now he roams in the castle at night.The legend says he was looking for his young bride and that she married his rival.The second ghost legend is linked to Lady Maud Plumkett.She was Lord Galtrim wife but appears as it was when she was married to her third husband,an officer of justice a notorious figure in Malahide.Today she wanders across the corridors of Malahide Castle.
The third ghost is that of Miles Corbet,the round head whom Cromwell gave the Castle and property during his protectorate.When the King returned he took everything and had to serve a sentence: he was hung and quartered.At first he appeared as a soldier in armour but then falls apart into four pieces.The fourth ghost is Puck, a buffoon of the 16th century.Apparently he was in charge of sounding the alarm in case of emergencies and he lived in a tower of the castle.The poor dwarf was in love with a noble lady whom the King arrested as a rebel.At that night,she met Puck,the jester,stabbed in the snow outside the castle. Dying,he muttered a curse on Malahide,vowing that his spirit would remain between those walls until the King marry a commoner.It is said that Puck was seen the last night when the castle was sold in 1976. I
Ginally as 5th ghost there is the famous Lady in White.No one knows exactly the history of that woman and who she was but she appeared with her white dress and a painter who portrayed her who declared to have seen her and also who claims to have seen her wandering the halls at night.
A curious story is also the Battle of the Boyne, on which there is a very illustrative picture in the Great Hall or at least there was.Apparently 14 members of the Talbot family had breakfast together in the dining room of the castle, but after the war none of them returned alive after dark.It is said that misfortune was the result of a curse because of disobedience of one of the Talbot.A man dreamt that a virgin appeared to him and commanded him to build a votive pillars chapel adorned with ivory, but since ivory was very expensive.the Earl built that of oak and white painted pillars.The Blessed Virgin will never notice the difference must have thought the miser count and apparently it does virgin realised the deception and has since withdrawn his favour to the family.The Family fell out of favour.
In Malahide park you can enjoy some sport activities as tennis and golf and there is also a playground for children.This is an ideal place for relax and spend quality time with family or friends.Next to the Castle there is the Toys Museum of toys "Tara's Place and the Fry Model Railway, where you can discover Ireland's railway history through reproductions trains and railways miniatures.The Irish town is also famous in Cinema is the place of the mysterious city played by Jane Seymour in the famous TV film Yesterday's Children.
Do not miss to have a break in Smyth´s this pub is a must and worth a visit of course. Located in the heart of the seaside town of Malahide.The town has a real Irish proud offering all kinds of local specialities, including a wide range of typical Irish beers,from Guinness to Murphy,excellent grilled salmon,the famous Irish Stew and the and traditional Irish Fish & Chips.
Malahide is well connected to Dublin city centre by Dart Rail Service (only 20 minutes of trip) a sort of tube of the city Dublin.Malahide railway station is a Dart terminus train line from and to Dublin,Bray, Greystones and Dun Laoghaire.Malahide is also easily accessible by car and it is situated near the main airport in Dublin,.You can be reach Malahide by car along the R106, the R107, the R124, the M1 and M50.Malahide Public Transport in addition,provides four bus lines 32a, 32x, 42 and 102 connecting Malahide to Dublin and many towns nearby,such as Swords, Sutton, Howth, Portmarnock and Baldoyle.
Mallahide offers several events one of them is The Malahide Arts Festival is a very special summer event.Parks are filled with families and especially children,surrounded by street performers,children's make-up artists,carnival music and cosmopolitan cuisine from all the corners of the globe and if you are looking for something crazy,you can always offer volunteer in a way of entertaining games,such as running the waiters with trays full of glasses or travel in pairs with the balloons and many others kind of things.Malahide is the perfect place for those who want to step outside the usual tourist Dubliner and breathe some 'fresh air.
The port of Malahide is one of the largest and finest place in the Fingal County,often present in postcards with sunsets and the boats arranged in the harbour.Malahide beaches are very pretty with their golden sand and a short distance a splendid countryside.From Malahide you can reach to the town of Portmarnock, along the beach where the landscape is really amazing and in Malahide Marina you can also enjoy a fantastic cruise boat on the bay of Dublin, to get close to birds and marine life of the area.
The town offers the visitors the opportunity to enjoy sailing clubs including Swords Sailing & Boating Club Malahide Yacht Club, Fingal Sailing School, DMG Sailsports and a 350-berth marina and the prestigious Malahide Golf Club opened in 1892.
From Malahide you can reach in a short time to the town of Portmarnock, along the beach where the landscape is really amazing.If you are planning a trip or a tour to Ireland visiting the Capital,Dublin,do not forget an excursion to this beautiful place called Malahide.
Francesco Mari
Recommended accomodation in Malahide
Grand Hotel Malahide
Island View Hotel
Evergreen B&B
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