The estate began in 1185, when Richard Talbot, a knight who accompanied Henry II to Ireland in 1174, was granted the "lands and harbour of Malahide."

The oldest parts of the castle date back to the 12th century and it was home to the Talbot family for 791 years, from 1185 until 1976, the only exception being the period from 1649 to 1660, when Oliver Cromwell granted it to Miles Corbet after the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland; Corbet was hanged following the demise of Cromwell, and the castle was restored to the Talbots.

[citation needed] Malahide Castle and its demesne was eventually inherited by the 7th Baron Talbot who had wanted to donate it to the state.

In 1975, Rose ceded the castle to the Irish State, with regret, to fund the outstanding inheritance taxes.

The demesne is one of few surviving examples of 18th-century landscaped parks and has wide lawns surrounded by a protective belt of trees.

A seasonal road train operates in a loop from the vicinity of the castle to the railway station and back.

[8] In September 2013 using temporary grandstands and hospitality pavilions over 10,000 spectators were accommodated, a record for the Island of Ireland.

[15] More artists played the grounds in June 2018, including Chic featuring Nile Rodgers, Liam Gallagher, Gorillaz, Kodaline, and LCD soundsystem.

Snow Patrol were followed by The Cure the following day, and Mumford & Sons performed on both the Friday and Saturday of the second weekend, with Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds playing on Sunday.

George Ezra performed on the Friday of the third and final weekend, with Lana Del Rey playing on the Saturday.