Malahide Castle

Malahide Castle dates from the 12th century and is reputedly haunted by five distinct ghosts. Sir Richard Talbot, Lord of Malahide founded Malahide Castle in 1185 after he had been granted the “lands and harbour of Malahide” from Henry II, after taking part in the Kings campaign in Ireland. The Talbot family remained in the castle until 1975. Milo, 7th Baron Talbot died in 1973 and his sister Rose sold the castle to the local authorities to cover family debts and inheritance taxes in 1975.

The Ghosts:
For a short period between 1649 and 1660, Oliver Cromwell granted the castle and estate to Miles Corbet, though it was restored to the Talbots after Corbet’s execution. Corbet was hanged, drawn and quartered for the crimes he committed before the Restoration of the monarchy, such as desecrating the chapel of the abbey near Malahide. When Corbet’s apparition is reputedly experienced he appears I full armour, then falls apart in quarters in a grim re-inactment of what happened to his actual body.

Described as dwarf like, he next ghost is that of Puck, the Jester of Malahide Castle. He was found dying by the castle walls after being fatally stabbed in the chest. Puck who had fallen in love with a high born lady (related to Lady Elenora Fitzgerald) being held in the castle on the orders of King Henry VIII. Puck claimed he would haunt Malahide Castle but not hurt anyone as long as a male member of the Talbot family resided inside it. It is said he appeared during the sale of the castles contents in 1976.

Malahide is also said to be haunted by the ghost of Sir Walter Hussey, the son of Baron Galtrim. On the day of his wedding in the 15th century he was killed in battle. His apparition is supposed to wander the castle, groaning and pointing to his fatal spear wound.

The last two ghosts are a married couple, Lady Maud Plunkett and her third husband, the Lord Chief of Justice. This was Mauds third marriage and it is considered that by this time she had become a somewhat shewish and nagging wife. She supposedly seen chasing her poor husband through the corridors of the castle.