Episode 8: Howth Castle

Manchán visits the stunning home of the St. Lawrence Family – Howth Castle. He discovers how GráinneMhaol forced the owners to leave their gates open, Jonathon Swift was inspired to write some of his most controversial pamphlets and why one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th Century – Bing Crosby came to visit the castle.

Howth Castle – situated a few miles north of Dublin city amid the stunning beauty of the Howth peninsula. The castle has been in the St Lawrence family since 1177 and has never before opened it’s doors to a camera crew. Manchán will uncover the incredible story of the 4,000 strong Irish army who invaded England in the 15th Century – and how the Lord of Howth warned the King of England in advance of the invasion. Then a century later the St Lawrence family fell foul of another monarch of sorts – the great pirate queen, Grace O’Malley who kidnapped the heir of Howth Castle. Manchán is most impressed when he learns of Jonathan Swifts connection with Howth Castle – a man who knew and understood Ireland better than most. And the final surprise is the discovery that the most popular and influential media star of the first half of the 20th century – Bing Crosby – came to Ireland on a special visit in 1966 to shoot a TV special at Howth Castle.