FINGAL County Council has launched a new project that showcases 20 species of butterflies and their life cycle in Malahide Castle.
The Tropical Butterfly House commenced over three years ago and is the first of its kind in the Republic of Ireland.
It is located in the Cambridge Glasshouse which was built to house Lord Milo Talbot’s tropical flower collection.
Speaking at the launch, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Anthony Lavin, said it is a wonderful addition to Malahide Castle and Gardens.
“Malahide Castle is a significant historical and cultural site and the Tropical Butterfly House offers an exciting new experience to the 200,000 visitors who come to Malahide Castle annually,” he said.
The addition follows developments of the site’s botanical gardens as well as a Fairy Trail.
Butterflies are particular with their food plants. These plants had to be acquired gradually as some cannot be bought and have been sourced through specialist growers and some from the seed of wild plants.
The glasshouse allows visitors to watch caterpillars feed on the plants and grow from larva to fully grown butterflies.
Fingal County Council’s Administrative Officer, Caroline Power, said the launch was a great opportunity for the council to showcase this new addition to the castle.
“The new Butterfly House complements the Medieval Castle, its courtyard, shopping centre, café and parkland making it a location which can be enjoyed by people of all ages,” said Ms Power
Fingal County Council chief executive, Paul Reid, congratulated the Parks and Operations teams on the development of the innovative project.