Aran Inspired
Malahide Castle is set on 250 acres of park land in the picturesque seaside town of Malahide. For nearly 800 years it served as both a fortress and a private home. It is said to be the oldest Irish castle continuously inhabited by the same family, the Talbots. They lived here from 1185 right up until the last Talbot died in 1973. Legend has it that 14 Talbot cousins breakfasted at the castle before riding out to the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 never to return. The house is beautifully furnished with period furniture and also boasts an extensive collection of Irish portrait paintings, mainly from the National Gallery.
Set in a peat bog that feels miles from anywhere, Lough Boora Discovery Park in County Offaly is a wonderful attraction for outdoors lovers and families with kids. With 50 km (40miles) of pathways that offer routes that accommodate a short stroll to a lengthy cycle, the Lough Boora Parklands host different types of visitors. Wild, natural and peaceful, these wetlands are visited by a range of species, from dragonflies to the endangered grey partridge.