Malahide Castle is one of Ireland's oldest and most atmospheric castles, occupied continuously for about 800 years by the Talbot family before passing to Dublin County Council in 1975. The core of the building dates from the 12th century, with additions through the centuries creating a romantic ensemble of towers and turrets set in 260 acres of parkland.
Guided tours of the interior cover the staterooms with their portraits of the Talbot family and visitors, and the Great Hall where the Battle of the Boyne story is poignantly marked. The demesne includes a café, a butterfly house, Tara's Palace dolls' house collection, and the Fry Model Railway. The castle is 8km from Portmarnock by road.