The former entrance was by drawbridge, protected by a portcullis and barbican. The old tower of the barbican now gives entrance to the stable yard. The hall is flagged and vaulted, and the walls are hung with interesting martial relics, while a handsomely-carved chair is said to have belonged to King Robert Bruce. A circular flight of stairs leads to the next floor, which contains the famous “Oak Room.” The timber for its ornamentation is said to have been brought from the “faire greene commune of Ostomanstoune,” which was not so far away, and from which King William Rufus is said to have obtained the oak to roof Westminster Hall. The panels in Malahide Castle are of an ebony black, and are richly carved in relief with scriptural subjects. The ceiling is cross-beamed with oak, and a wide mullioned window gives light to this beautiful apartment. It is said to have once been the castle chapel, and that behind a double panel, carved with scenes from the Garden of Eden, is a recess still occupied by the altar. Here amongst other interesting objects is the suit of armour traditionally supposed to have been worn by Sir Walter Hussey, who was the first husband of the Hon. Maud Plunkett, and was killed on his wedding day. The dining hall is said to date from the Tudor period, and it has a pointed ceiling of stained wood with a gallery at one end. In this room is displayed a very fine collection of historical and family portraits by many celebrated artists, amongst whom are Lely, Titian, Reynolds, Kneller, and others. The portraits include those of “Handsome Dick Talbot,” Duke of Tyrconnel, favourite of Charles II. and James I., the Duchess of Portsmouth and her son the Duke of Richmond, the Earl of Lucan, Ireton, Myles Corbet, and several royal personages. The “saloon” has also some art treasures, the chief being an altar-piece by Albert Durer, which once belonged to Mary Oueen of Scots, and was purchased by Charles II. for the Duchess of Portsmouth for the then enormous sum of £2,000. The lands of Malahide were granted to the Talbot family in 1174 by Henry II., in whose train was Chevalier Richard Talbot, when the king came to Ireland in 1172. This grant was confirmed to Sir Richard Talbot by Edward IV. in 1475. The foundations of the castle were laid by the first Richard Talbot in Henry II.’s reign upon the gentle elevation of limestone rock where it stands to-day. It was enlarged during Edward IV.’s reign. Sir Richard Edgecomb landed at Malahide in 1488 as Lord Justice, and writes that “there a gentlewoman called Talbot received and made me right good cheer,” until the Bishop of Meath and others came later in the day to escort him to Dublin.