Howth Castle

 
The history of Howth Castle dates back to the Middle Ages. John de Courcy and Almeric, the first Lord of Howth, travelled to Ireland in 1177.

According to legend, St. Lawrence won a battle at Evora Bridge, near the Church of Ireland, on August 10, the day of his feast day, giving him control of the Howth peninsula. It is supposed that he adopted the name St. Lawrence as a token of appreciation for this.

Although Almeric constructed his wooden fortress above the harbor, a deed clearly shows that by 1235, a new fortress had been erected on the current location amidst the lush terrain. Once more, wood would have been used to build this. The current structure's earliest surviving elements date to the middle of the fifteenth century.

Subsequent generations made significant alterations to the house to fit their own needs, 1738, when the house assumed its current form and when Sir Edwin Lutyens renovated and extended the building in 1911 and. Even now, traces of the changes may still be seen, leading one to speculate as to what was once there.

The earliest features of the structure are the Keep and Gate Tower, which were constructed by Christopher, the 14th Lord of Howth, and date to the middle of the 15th century, or roughly 1450. The huge tower to the left of the main door is the Keep, and the Gate House is located somewhat to the right of the building in the top shot of the painting of the castle. The wall and turrets that once surrounded the area are still visible in the gardens.

In 1558, Christopher, 20th Lord of Howth, the Blind Lord, erected the Hall next to the Keep. The main door of the castle in the middle of the artwork now opens into it. Sometime before 1641, Nicolas, 23rd Lord of Howth, constructed the upper storey above the hall.

The East Wing, also known as Tower House, was constructed by William, the 25th Lord of Howth, at some point between 1660, when the Restoration took place, and 1671, when he passed away. But Kenelm's Tower, the tower at the end of the wing, is Victorian. Thomas, 30th Lord and 3rd Earl of Howth, added it in 1855.

Following the death of the last Lord Howth in 1909, Julian Gaisford, his nephew, acquired the castle. He commissioned the young Edwin Lutyens to build and modernize the castle after selling his English home. The largest addition was the Gaisford Tower, which he constructed to house his library at the end of the west wing. The steps east of the new tower, the sunken garden with charm, and the loggia with toilets above between the west wing and the ancient hall were among the other projects completed.

This provides an incredible look at the evolution of old houses in Ireland over time.

The house's belongings have been gathered over many centuries. Among them is the Great Sword of Howth, which dates more credibly to the early fifteenth century, despite being said to have been held by Almeric in 1177.

Fine Irish eighteenth-century antiques are among the house's authentic furnishings and valuables.

Among the portraits in the paintings are those of Watts, Lavery, Hudson, Grant, and Ferneley. Francis Bindon also has one of the rare depictions of Jonathan Swift.