Malahide Castle and Gardens is on 250 acres of parkland in the pretty seaside town of Malahide in County Dublin. It was both a fortress and a private home for nearly 800 years and has an interesting mix of architectural styles. It is popular for its guided tours of the castle interior, children's playground, fairy trail, butterfly house, old abbey ruins, walking trails, Avoca store and café and the Talbot Botanic Gardens with exotic specimens.