This utterly charming historic landmark in the Irish capital Dublin, currently owned by singer Enya, was formerly known as Victoria Castle, but was renamed by its eccentric new owner. The charming medieval-style Victoria Castle, with its crenellated turrets and magnificent garden around it, was erected in 1840 to commemorate the day of Queen Victoria’s accession to the throne. The architect Robert Warren was in charge of the construction. The castle was surrounded by magnificent gardens, which occupied fourteen thousand square meters, and from the lancet windows of the castle you could see the Irish coast, up to the lands of Wales.
From the castle under the gardens there was a secret passage leading to Killiney beach, but this tunnel is now bricked up. The interiors of the castle were magnificent and opulent, decorated with unique masterpieces of art. Unfortunately, in 1928 there was a big fire in the castle, during which almost everything was burnt out. The restoration of the castle was undertaken by architect Thomas Power, who renamed the structure into “Ayesha Castle”, alluding to the goddess from the novel, who was reborn from the fire element. In 1995, the owners of the castle – representatives of the Aylmer family – arranged in the premises of the former stables residential apartments and a gallery, which was named “Equestrian” to attract tourists. An exhibition of works by Irish and European painters was opened there.
Since 1997, the castle has been owned by Irish singer Enya. She paid great attention to her safety in this huge building: she surrounded the castle with a real fortress wall three meters high and replaced the gates. Despite this, in 2005, burglars tried to break into Manderley Castle twice, and both times the mistress was at home. Fortunately, the robbery attempts failed. Despite the fact that today Manderley Castle is a private area, many tourists say that they managed to visit it by direct arrangement with the singer Enya. If you get the urge, try to visit it as well.