Tell me you don’t love castles…
You can’t can you?
EVERYONE loves a good castle – and Ireland has more than its fair share.
Apparently as many as 30,000. Though many of those have been reduced to picturesque ruins. Ya see, back in the day any old so and so with deep pockets built themselves a castle. And why not! They provided the chieftains and Anglo Norman settlers with a safe haven behind fortified walls, but more importantly than that; they look so damn impressive! When I win the lottery I know what I’ll be shopping for…
Malahide Castle & Gardens
On a recent trip to Dublin ( it was for my big 30 – oh hush you guys! ) I dragged Matt to visit Malahide Castle and Gardens. Because truth be told, there is not much this girl loves more than castles and flowers.
There are many options when you visit Malahide Castle & Gardens. After ditching your car in the HUGE car park. The Demesne grounds provide a beautiful view of the castle, alongside a fun looking ( we had no mini people with us to test it! ) and extensive grounds to wander; all the way down the Malahide Village itself, should you wish to do so.
After ditching your car in the HUGE car park, The Demesne grounds provide a beautiful view of the castle, alongside a fun looking children’s playground ( we had no mini people with us to test it! ) and extensive grounds to wander; all the way down the Malahide Village itself, should you wish to do so.
Our first view of Malahide Castle was complimented by some vintage stunners on the front lawn due to The Irish Veteran and Vintage Car Club’s monthly outing. I wonder if Alfie would like a small car companion…
We decided we wanted to see a bit more of the castle and grounds, so ventured up to the visitor centre. You can choose between a guided tour of the castle, a self-toured wander around the walled garden & west lawn; or indulge yourself & do both!
Taking our cue from the glorious weather we choose to explore the gardens. We started with the Walled Botanical Garden. With over 5000 different species and varieties of plants, there were many already in bloom this early Spring morning ♥ With 7 glass houses to visit, there are beauties from ALL over the globe. The Victorian Glass House pictured below is my very favourite ♥ Remember to do a bit of reading in the visitors centre before you set off. It’s full of information about the history Malahide Castle & Gardens. I enjoyed reading about where Lord Milo Talbot travelled, whilst increasing the already extensive collection of plants.
Travelling the world collecting pretty things for his castles gardens… that’s the life, huh! Rumour has it Milo may have been a spy… Keep that on the down-low though!
The only thing the Walled Garden is missing is glorious Spring woodland, and a view of the castle. Don’t worry though, the West Lawn has that covered! And there are peacocks too… nuff said!
Maybe I should make it my mission to visit every castle in Ireland… Now there’s an idea in the making! Do you have a favourite Irish castle?
