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 in 1649-1660 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.
