On 8 November 1902, Cecil Baring married Maude Lorillard of New York, the youngest daughter of the tobacco millionaire, Pierre Lorillard IV. Both shared a defiant pursuit of entrepreneurship and purchased Lambay in 1904 to make it their private dwelling place and build their family. They had three children: Daphne Baring (1904–1986), Calypso Baring (1905–1974) and Rupert Baring, 4th Baron Revelstoke (1911–1994). Their legacy spans five generations in which the fourth - Alexander Baring, 7th Baron Revelstoke and his sister Millie Baring - are the present day custodians of Lambay Island.

Sir Edwin Lutyens, renowned architect of the Arts & Crafts movement and good friend of Cecil and Maude Baring visited Lambay in 1905, and between the three of them they forged a friendship that would last throughout their lives, and a legacy that would last beyond them. Lutyens extended the Castle masterfully and by 1910 it was a beautiful refuge for Cecil and Maude, surrounded by an impressive circular wall, which Lutyens aptly nicknamed "The Ramparts Against Uncharity". His works in Ireland include the Irish National War Memorial Gardens, Heywood House Gardens in County Laois, and Lambay Castle. Over 20 years of architectural devotion, Lambay is regarded by many as Lutyens' finest example of domestic architecture and it remains an extraordinary tribute to his talent and genius. Consisting of a circular battlement enclosing the restored and extended castle and farm complex, upgraded cottages and stores near the harbour, a real tennis court, a large guest house (The White House), a boathouse and a chapel which all remain today.

With the help of his friend Louis Gautier, Cecil Baring assembled, between 1912 and 1934, an array of pieces from "Pew groups” and Thos Toft slipware, through Bristol and Lambeth Delft, Leeds; to his favourite-coloured Staffordshire salt-glaze, Ralph Wood and Pratt.

The sketch appears to be by one Joan Fowler, "Howth & Ireland's Eye from Lambay, 1860”, it's a wonderful pencil drawing of the Castle dated 1860 and it depicts the Castle woods already quite established even back then, and the original very low circular wall around the periphery, which Lutyens then amplified to what it is today.

A sketch, signed "SK" and that looks like a stage scene, was discovered behind a painting and is thought to have been penned by one of Rupert Baring's friends, perhaps a connection of the filmmaker Michael Powell, the playwright Julian Slade or the actor Cyril Cusack. The mystery remains...

Introducing Dublin-based artist David Norton. David’s passion lies in the use of macro-photography and was commissioned to create a bespoke and rare digital print of Porphery rock from Lambay, inspired by his love of nature these rare prints are both unique and evocative. Find out more.

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The bust of Rupert Baring: is by his brother-in-law Arthur Pollen (1899-1968), and dates from c1929-30. Arthur was married to Daphne Baring (Rupert's eldest sister) and was a fairly successful sculptor in his own right. There are other sculptures of his on Lambay as well, for e.g. in the chapel.

Rupert Baring, son of Cecil and Maude and later to become 4th Baron Revelstoke, fell so in love with Lambay for its flora and fauna and scribed an extraordinary record of photos, letters, visitors' books and egg collections that document the enchanting island's history through the second half of the 20th Century. He often used the medium of doggerel (comic verse) to tell each story; we thought this the perfect snippet to share of Lambay's famous puffins...

This song was composed by Jessica Dannheisser and Daisy Chute as a tribute to the beautiful island of Lambay, and to celebrate that year's 'Lambay Games' - a weekend at the island during which friends compete in many different games to win the coveted Lambay Games trophy (and have a lot of fun in the process!).

Up until the 1980's Lambay's communications relied on a maritime radio. Messages were transmitted to the Rockabill lighthouse and then relayed by phone to the mainland. A chess board at each end allowed an endless game between Rupert and the lighthouse keepers. ''If winter gales maroon us, we can order extra fare. And sometimes have a bit of fun by singing on the air... But the beauty of this mechanism causes us no fuss For WE can ring up someone else... but NOONE CAN RING US!''