King John's Castle, Limerick City, revamped and ready for action

King John's Castle, Limerick City

King Johns Castle has just re-opened following a €5.7 million revamp which has turned it into a much more attractive, interesting and educational venue than it was, in the heart of Limerick City. 

You cannot fail to miss the huge stone curtain walls or stout round towers on the approach from Thomond Bridge, incidentally there is free parking for visitors just past the Bishop’s Palace on the left. Follow the signs then to the new entrance just left of the visitors center, a large glass building which now houses a bright, new café, gift shop and toilet facilities. Built in the 13th century by King Johns Castle has had a very long and turbulent history, as you can imagine, much of it filled with blood and gore, as you might expect....

What started as an island Viking settlement, you can still see the original ringed settlement walls underground, and the footprints of the wattle and daub medieval dwellings, as well as later additions and battlements which saw the castle develop into a major strategic stronghold between warring factions in the region. The new exhibition area tells the story of King John (brother of Richard the Lionheart) from those very first settlers to the Norman conquerors and the infamous siege of Limerick which led to the signing of the Treaty a year later in1642, through the medium of print and film with no less than three theaters. As well as interactive maps and ‘talking’ figures as well as lots of fun ideas for kids of all ages. A group of Italian students where busy with their smartphones taking photos of themselves dressing up while younger children were busy building stone arches, firing mock canons and opening discovery drawers to inspect medieval artifacts and treasures....

You could easily spend several couple of hours working your way through the new exhibition (a great rainy day alternative for visitors to the West of Ireland) but be sure to leave plenty of time to explore the actual castle itself which is pretty much as it would have looked in the 13th century, only cleaner and a lot safer then when it was built for King John, who never actually visited but that’s another story. Friendly, costumed guides continue the historical conversation with working displays of weaponry, carpentry, masonry and coinage. You can even walk through the ruins of the medieval banqueting hall, say a prayer in the newly constructed replica church or try on a helmet and brandish a sword in the campaign tent. But the best views are high up on the actual battlements themselves with a 360 panorama of the city and the River Shannon from where view a thousand years and more of history from St Mary’s Cathedral, to the Treaty Stone, to the new Thomond Park stadium which defends it’s (rugby) turf with as much blood and passion as it’s medieval ancestors defended the city at King John’s Castle all those years ago.

Open daily from 10am-5pm, Adults €9 Children €5.25 Families €20.60 concessions available for seniors and students.

For more information or to book tickets online visit King Johns Castle

For more Things To Do and See around Limerick please click here.

By Susan Byron author of www.irelands-hidden-gems.com

Malahide Castle, Dublin re-opens to the public and the top ten thing to do in the area

Malahide Castle, North County Dublin

Malahide Castle and Gardens has recently re-opened following a €10 million refurbishment by Fingal County Council and Failte Ireland, which will restore its ranking as a first class visitor attraction and preserve it for future generations.

A popular and most valuable amenity in North County Dublin, Malahide Castle is surrounded by 450 acres of manicured park lands, managed walkways and mature trees and state of the art children’s playground which is free to the public all year round.

Up until 1975 Malahide Castle was the oldest and longest inhabited castle in Ireland, with the same family having lived there almost continuously since 1185 when Richard Talbot was granted ‘the lands and harbour of Malahide’ by King Henry II in return for rendering "one archer with a horse and coat-of-mail forever". When the last male heir Milo Talbot died in 1973, the estate passed to his sister Rose, who unfortunately was forced to sell the castle and its contents to pay the death duties. Thankfully the Irish Government had the foresight to buy the property and open it to the public and now that it has been completed restored and updated it should last another few years.

Malahide Castle has had a long and colourful history which will be further explained to you on a guided tour of the castle, which takes in the magnificent 600 year old Great Hall. Poignantly, a huge painting of The Battle of the Boyne fills the back wall for it was here in this very room that the Talbot family sat down to breakfast that fateful morning in 1690 not knowing that fourteen of them would be dead by nightfall. But, somehow the family survived that tragedy and evidently prospered, judging by the various additions that were made to the castle, including the twin round towers and the banqueting hall panelled in same Irish oak that graces Westminster Abbey in London. With the original gothic style tracery windows still letting in a strained light, Malahide castle is very atmospheric and not short of a few ghosts which is hardly surprising considering?

Open all year round except 24th,25th & 26th of December. Admission Adult €12 Child €6 Family €26 Concessions €8 Phone 01-8169538

For more information on Malahide Castle and Gardens or to book tickets online please click here

Ten other things to do and see in the area are -

1. Take a tour of Malahide Castle, re-opened October 2012 after major refurbishment, new interactive exhibition and project centre.

2. Visit the Castle Gardens, renowned garden and plantsman's paradise, over 5000 rare species, beautiful carpets of cyclamen under the Lebanese Cedar on the West Lawn in early autumn.

3. Avoca in the Courtyard, enjoy tea, coffee and homemade cakes or a light lunch either indoor or outside in the pretty pergola leading on to the garden or browse their famous home-wares, clothing and gift shop.

4. Blow the cobwebs away with a bracing walk and admire the mature trees throughout the 450 acres of parklands, which remain much the same as they have always been for the last 800 years.

5. Let the kids loose in the Castle Playground which was a real favourite of my kids, when they were young.

6. Take a stroll around the pretty village of Malahide, with its smart shops (the Village Bookshop on Townyard Lane is particularly delightful) bars, restaurants and marina.

7. Have a 'grand' carvery lunch or afternoon tea in the Grand Hotel, good old fashioned luxury with a modern twist.I would highly recommend the silver service luncheon in the restaurant for sunday lunch or a special occasion.

8. Drive the coastal route out around by Portmarnock strand and Golf Club to Sutton Village.

9. Take a left to drive out to Howth Harbour, have a walk along the pier, or enjoy any of the many great seafood restaurants out there.

10. Or veer right, back into Dublin to visit St Anne's Park and its famous rose garden, the Casino at Marino or a stroll on Dollymount Strand.

For more information visit http://www.malahidecastleandgardens.ie/

By Susan Byron author of http://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com/ and eBook Travel Guide Where to Eat, Sleep & Play in Ireland 2013

Go regal this vacation - castles to visit in Ireland

Irish history, and the castles we see today, are a legacy of some 6,000 years of occupation from megalithic times when the Celts arrived here from mainland Europe.

Impressive burial mounds such as Newgrange or the ring-forts and dolmens like those at Craggaunowen are attributed to these hunter gatherer tribes.

Followed by successive waves of invaders such as the Vikings, Normans, English, and even the Spanish we finally achieved our Independence from England in 1916 for 26 of the counties while six in (Northern Ireland) still remain part of Britain.

The commercial foundations of Dublin were laid by the Vikings (Dublinia) followed by the Normans who built impressive strongholds such as Trim castle where the epic movie "Braveheart" was filmed. Our infamous claim to fame? Some 2,000 bare-bottomed extras recruited from the Curragh Army Camp in County Kildare.

Other castles in Irish history range from large fortified towers and keeps such as Bunratty Castle to smaller ones like Thoor Ballylee, former home of the poet and playwright Willaim Butler Yeats. Grand country houses like such as Tullynally and Birr were castle-ated with fairy tale parapets and towers as was the fashion assuring the reign of Queen Victoria. Many of these big houses and castles on vast estates were given to often absentee English landlords in return for military duty. As a result, many of these were ransacked and burned down during the 'troubles'. Others were saved and restored privately or are now under the management of Office of Public Works or the auspices of the Irish Georgian society and so have survived to tell the tale.

There are hundreds of castles all over the country, many in ruins that you can explore freely, just be careful.

For the complete list visit 

By Susan Byron author of www.irelands-hidden-gems.com

Hidden Ireland - Ireland's private house a world away from Irish hotels

Old Irish house - stylish bathroom

Hidden Ireland is a collection of magnificent private houses throughout Ireland who offer seasonal accommodation, albeit on a grand scale, to the public.

A stay in one of these great houses is quite unlike anything else you will experience in Ireland. "Downton Abbey" addicts (like myself) will delight in the country house experience where you are made to feel more like an invited friend than a paying guest.

Whilst not obviously commercial and not to be confused with country house hotels, these wonderful homes (most of which have been in the same family for many generations) offer something truly different.

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A peek at the Hidden Ireland brochure reveals a wealth of stunning, architectural gems from which to choose. Perhaps a romantic Victorian hunting lodge, on a wild river teaming with fish, a Palladian mansion on a vast country estate with leafy walks or an elegant Georgian townhouse right in the heart of Dublin.

Although still available many of the pursuits traditionally associated with country life, like hunting, fishing and shooting, have naturally translated into organic farming, with fresh fish and game, vegetables and fruit in season often featuring on the evening menu. Dinner (by request) is usually served at a communal dining table (although you can dine alone if you wish) designed to further enhance your appreciation of Irish country house hospitality.

Apart from fine wine and conversation, you never know who you will be your fellow guests and what life long friendships might be forged at these impromptu gatherings. Repeat business is a testament to and the lifeblood of these establishments, ensuring a continuity of tenure and responsibility for the second generation of hosts and their children, who are breathing new life into Hidden Ireland. What has been their privilege is now their great pleasure to share with you.

For further details, including seasonal special offers and Christmas Gift Vouchers visit www.hiddenireland.com