The iconic Great Hall at Malahide Castle has reopened following significant works to the historic building that have helped restore one of finest Medieval Banqueting Halls in the country.
Malahide Castle was home to the Talbot family for nearly 800 years and with a history dating back to 1185, it’s an important part of Irish aristocracy. Receiving over 100,000 visitors from home and abroad each year, the Great Hall is an integral part of the attraction for visitors heading to Malahide Castle and Gardens in Fingal. Dating back to 1475. The Great Hall was redesigned in the 1820s by the 2nd Baron Talbot of Malahide in the neo-gothic style. It remains largely how he left it to this day. Work on the Great Hall has been done under the direction of Grade 1 Conservation Architects, Blackwood Associates Architects. The improvements are seen as being integral to future proofing one of Ireland’s most important heritage sites for generations to come. Over €500,000 was invested by Fingal County Council in carrying out the restoration. The majority of works were carried out to the external fabric of the building, which included upgrading the roof and rainwater goods.
Internally restoration of the rafters and minstrel’s gallery, as well as conservation of the 19th century windows and fireplaces took place. Mechanical and electrical systems upgrades also took place, including lighting, rewiring, CCTV and the installation of a new heating system for a room originally built in the Middle Ages. Attending the reopening was Dublin Fingal TD and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien who praised the massive effort involved in restoring such a heritage property. He said: “This castle has seen it all and has survived so many different phases of our history. Having such a superb restoration of this magnificent room is a really important undertaking, one that helps ensure that heritage is central to our lives and not something on the periphery – our history and our heritage is what we are and it is what we are about as a people.” The Castle itself is surrounded by some 260 acres of lush parkland and has held a prestigious Green Flag Award since the internationally recognised scheme began in Ireland in 2015. This week, Malahide Demesne and Talbot Botanical Gardens was also announced by An Taisce as the overall winner of the 2022 Green Flag Pollinator Award, as well being named as the winner of the Country Park/Demesne category. To book tickets to Malahide Castle and Gardens go to: malahidecastleandgardens.ie