Malahide Castle
Malahide Castle is very unique in Ireland because the Talbot family managed to keep control of the castle for 791 years. The Talbot family began their reign in 1185 and ended in 1976 despite a short interlude, 1649 to 1660, while Cromwell marched through Ireland. The lands and harbour of Malahide were granted to Richard Talbot in 1185 one of the knights who arrived in Ireland with Henry II in 1174.

Lismore Castle
Lismore Castle has been the Irish home of the Dukes of Devonshire since 1753 and is possibly the most spectacular castle in Ireland. Situated in a panoramic position overlooking the Blackwater Valley it has views over rolling hills to the Knockmealdown Mountains and beyond. Lord Charles Cavendish, the uncle of the present Duke, made Lismore his home with his wife Adele Astaire, the dancer and actress. After his death in 1944 she paid annual visits with her brother Fred Astaire.

Birr Castle
Formerly one of the many strongholds of the O’Carrolls, Birr Castle has been the seat of the Parsons family, Earls of Rosse, since 1620. Birr Castle has the appearance of a Gothic Revival castle and the main front was designed by John Johnston in 1804. The magnificent gardens and grounds at Birr are famous for the 10 metre high box hedges, the variety of magnolias and the rare shrubs and trees from China and Tibet.

Glin Castle
Glin Castle was built in the 1780’s by Colonel John FitzGerald, Knight of Glin, and given battlements by his son in 1812. It faces across the Shannon Estuary to Co. Clare. It stands on the banks of the River Shannon and is surrounded by 500 acres of land.