The historic Malahide Castle has undergone major restoration works thanks to a €500,000 investment by Fingal County Council.

The building's iconic Great Hall, which dates back to 1475, reopened its doors following works to restore the area.

Work on the Great Hall has been done under the direction of Grade 1 Conservation Architects, Blackwood Associates Architects. The improvements are seen as being integral to future proofing one of Ireland's most important heritage sites for generations to come.  

The majority of works were carried out to the external fabric of the building, which included upgrading the roof and rainwater goods. Internally restoration of the rafters and minstrel's gallery, as well as conservation of the 19th century windows and fireplaces took place. Mechanical and electrical systems upgrades also took place, including lighting, rewiring, CCTV and the installation of a new heating system for a room originally built in the Middle Ages.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Howard Mahony, said: "It's wonderful to be able to return to Malahide and take in the splendour of the Great Hall once again. The extensive restoration it has undergone will help ensure that Malahide Castle remains one of the must-visit destinations for visitors to Fingal.

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"We are extremely fortunate to have a wealth of beautiful heritage properties across the County - it's vitally important that we look to preserve these great historical buildings for future generations to enjoy."

AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council commented: "Investing in much needed upgrades like these undertaken at Malahide Castle is essential if we are to allow historically significant buildings to be enjoyed by people from near and far, and to help prevent them falling into disrepair.  

"Like all good conservation work, very little of the interventions can be seen, nor can we fully appreciate the delicate and time-consuming process that was involved to get us here today. It is testament to all those involved in the restoration and conservation of the Great Hall that we have before us a truly beautiful and resplendent attraction that gives us a tangible and fascinating link with the past."

Alongside the key works, extensive conservation of the paintings was also undertaken by the National Gallery of Ireland, with the artworks now re-hung and the room once again opened to the public. The Great Hall continues as home to one of the most important collections of Jacobite portraits, displayed in their original setting, and includes 31 portraits on loan from the National Gallery of Ireland.

Attending the reopening was Dublin Fingal TD and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien who praised the massive effort involved in restoring such a heritage property. He said: "This castle has seen it all and has survived so many different phases of our history. Having such a superb restoration of this magnificent room is a really important undertaking, one that helps ensure that heritage is central to our lives and not something on the periphery – our history and our heritage is what we are and it is what we are about as a people."

Cathal Dowd Smith, Curator for Malahide Castle added: "The Great Hall at Malahide is one of the finest Medieval Banqueting Halls in the country. The works undertaken by Fingal have future-proofed the space and allow us to continue to preserve the furnishings and artworks which call Malahide Castle home. The room showcases examples of Irish craftsmanship from the past 500 years, as seen in the impressive collection of furniture at Malahide."