DiCamillo Companion
Ireland

Howth Castle

  • House & Family History: Howth is famous for the Legend of Grace O'Malley, the pirate queen. Grace was returning from a visit to Queen Elizabeth I when her ship stopped at the harbor of Howth to pick up supplies. Grace found her way to the castle and requested a rest and a meal; she was refused admittance. In a rage, she kidnapped the infant heir of Lord Howth and returned with him to Rockfleet Castle in Co. Mayo. Lord Howth's son was eventually returned to him, but only with the understanding that the gates of Howth Castle would always be open a mealtimes, and that a place always be set for the head of the O'Malley clan; this custom is carried forth to the present day.

  • Architect: Edwin Landseer Lutyens

    Date: 1911
    Designed: Renovated and enlarged House, including Western Tower, loggia, and Dining Room.

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    Architect: Unknown (designed by an unknown architect)

    Date: 1738
    Designed: Rebuilt House for William, Lord Baron of Howth.

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    Architect: Richard Morrison

    Designed: Designed Entrance Gates, improved Southwest Wing.
    (Attribution of this work is uncertain)
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  • Country Life: XL, 14 plan, 1914. LXVIII, 286, 316 plan, 1930.

  • Title: Great Irish Houses and Castles
    Author: O'Brien, Jacqueline; Guinness, Desmond
    Year Published: 1992
    Publisher: New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
    ISBN: 0810933659
    Book Type: Hardback

  • House Listed: Unknown

    Park Listed: Unknown

  • "Dementia 13" [aka "The Haunted and the Hunted"] (1963 - as Castle Haloran). "Love & Friendship" (2016 - as Churchill estate). "The Man Who Invented Christmas" (2017).
  • Current Seat / Home of: Gaisford-St. Lawrence family; here for 800 years.

    Past Seat / Home of: Thomas St. Lawrence, 1st Earl of Howth, 18th century.

    Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

  • House Open to Public: By Appointment

    Website: https://howthcastle.ie/

    Historic Houses Member: No