The centuries-old Howth Castle is hoping to get planning permission for the biggest shakeup of its hospitality offering since the Mayo Pirate Queen Grace O'Malley called by in her ship in 1580. Also known as Granuaille, the ruthless female sea rover and commander of many sailors was on her way back to Connacht after visiting London for a peace conference with Queen Elizabeth (ake The Virgin Queen), when the two formidable leaders had to talk in Latin, as neither had the other's language.
Heading homeward via the Irish Sea, the Sailor Queen of Mayo called by Howth, and though the chief of the St Lawrence clan was not at home, she was extremely displeased by the poor level of hospitality shown to her by his steward. So when she came across the son of the lord of Howth playing with his friends on the foreshore by the castle's fish traps, she captured him and sailed with him as a molly-coddled prisoner back to Mayo. Eventually, she sent a message that the heir to the castle and lands of Howth would not be returned home until it was guaranteed that the gates of Howth Castle would never be shut to friendly strangers, and that an extra place would always be laid at the dinner table for the hospitable welcome of any unexpected guest.
The boy was safely returned, and those two pre-conditions have been assiduously met for the 426 years since. But last year, the St Lawrence family finally departed Howth after something like 865 years, and the new owners reckon that Howth Castle - a remarkable conglomeration of many architectural and building styles - is in need of some re-purposing to meet modern hospitality demands - The Irish Times has the full story here
