Lambay Island

Lambay Island is a privately owned island off the north Dublin coast in Ireland, notable for its castle, walled garden and conservation-focused estate. It lies within sight of the mainland and is managed as both a private residence and a nature reserve.

The island’s principal features are the fortified house or castle and its walled garden, plus coastal habitats that support important seabird colonies and a resident colony of grey seals. Visits are limited and typically arranged in small groups, often combining natural-history walks with a look at the estate buildings.

The island has been occupied since early historic periods and the present estate and castle complex reflect 19th and early 20th-century ownership; the current private ownership dates to the early 20th century. Over that time the island has been managed for both residence and conservation, with introduced species such as wallabies becoming part of the local fauna.

Situated about 10-12 kilometres off the north Dublin coast (near Portrane and Malahide), Lambay lies in the Irish Sea and is reached only by private boat or organised landing.

• Access restrictions: The island is privately owned and visits are by appointment or organised tours only; there is no regular public ferry service.
• Unusual wildlife: A small introduced population of wallabies is present on the island alongside native seabirds and grey seals.

What to See #

• Lambay Castle: A 19th-century stone castle and associated residential buildings that form the island's principal historic estate core, privately occupied by the island's owners.
• Walled garden: A walled garden established next to the main estate, maintained for horticulture and as part of the island's designed landscape.
• Seabird colonies and shoreline: Cliffs, rocky shores and offshore ledges that support seabird colonies including puffins and guillemots, and a shoreline haul-out for grey seals.