The gorgeous gatehouse to a musical castle

This was the location of the famous battle of Clontarf of 1014 involving Brian Boru. The first castle here was built by Hugh de Lacy in 1172 and this later became home to the Knights Templar in 1308 and then to Sir Geoffrey Fenton Secretary-General to Ireland in 1600. John Vernon, a quartermaster general of Cromwell’s army was given the castle around 1650 and his descendants lived here for the next 300 years. From 1972 the castle was run as a cabaret venue and eventually reopened in 1991 as a 4-star hotel. It has attracted many famous musicians and artists over the years including Handel who in 1742 was a guest of Dorothy Vernon. It was also the subject of a song by Thin Lizzy entitled ‘The Friendly Ranger at Clontarf Castle’ and Dermot O’Brien; a famous accordionist, used the castle for live recordings. It was also the subject of a painting by Turner, although wrongly labeled Caltarf Castle. The most important event in its 900-year history was when Dana was crowned Queen of Cabaret at the Castle in 1968 before winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1970!