Malahide
Malahide (Mullach Íde) is a seaside town 18 km northeast of Dublin, with a population in 2022 of 18,608. Historically it's part of County Dublin, which was divided so nowadays Malahide is governed by County Fingal. The main reason to visit is the castle and gardens. The town continues south along the coast into Portmarnock.
Understand
Malahide is on the sheltered Broadmeadow estuary, so Vikings and other settlers could draw up in their boats. In the 12th century the Normans were the new power in the land, and from 1180 the Talbot family ruled this area from Malahide castle. The village remained a small port until Georgian times, then grew rapidly as a suburb and coast resort for Dublin, so town centre and the seafront acquired their attractive Georgian and Victorian buildings. Later development was further out (engulfing the industrial village of Yellow Walls) so many of the early houses survive.
Get in
By plane: Dublin Airport (DUB IATA) is 8 km west, and can be reached without going into the city. Dublin Bus 102 runs every 30 min from the airport to Swords and Malahide (40 min), then winds south to Portmarnock and Sutton.
By train: DART and commuter trains run from Dublin Connolly every 15 min, taking 25 min. The commuter trains continue north to Donabate and Drogheda, and southbound they make multiple city stops then head down the coast to Dún Laoghaire, Dalkey and Bray. Trains from Belfast to Dublin don't stop in Malahide, change at Drogheda.
1 Malahide railway station is in town centre. There's a staffed ticket office and machines, no toilets.
By bus: Bus 42 runs from Dublin Talbot St and Connolly Station every 30 mins to Malahide (45 min) then Portmarnock. Bus 32 travels along the coast via Sutton and Portmarnock, 50 mins. They make multiple stops and there isn't a bus station.
Get around
It's easy to walk to the castle. There's a longer coastal walk to Portmarnock, you might prefer to return on bus 102 or 32, see above.
Irish Centre for Cycling has bike hire. They're on Dublin Rd 100 m west of the railway station, open Tu-Su.
Toots the Malahide road train runs every 30 min between the railway station, village shops, Grand Hotel, sandy beach and Malahide Castle and gardens. Hop-on hop-off adult fare is €6, child €4, pay on boarding. It's frankly a kiddy-treat but you could always ride it ironically.
See
- 1 Malahide Castle, Back Rd, Malahide Demesne K36 C432, ☏ +353 1 816 9538. Daily 9:30AM-5:30PM. The oldest parts of the castle are 12th century, though most of what you see is 18th / 19th century, richly furnished. It's set in a great parkland, the Malahide Demesne. Visit by guided tour only. Behind the castle are Talbot Botanic Gardens. Adult €16, conc €11, child €8.50.
- Casino Model Railway Museum, Casino Cottage K36 TW67 (off Dublin Rd just west of railway station). M 1-5PM, Tu-Su 10AM-5PM. This elaborate O-gauge collection was hand-built by Cyril Fry (1905-72), and depicts Ireland in the 1920s and 1930s. The models are exquisite but mostly too old and frail to run, so much of the collection is in cases. It's housed in the Casino, a 2-story thatched shooting lodge built circa 1750. Adult €7.50, child €5.
- St Sylvester's Well in its beehive housing is an ancient well outside St Sylvester's Roman Catholic church, on Old St a block east of the railway station. It's named for Sylvester I, who was Pope from 314 to 335 AD during the adoption of the Nicene creed. Little is known of him, but he was sufficiently important to attract legends and forgeries in later centuries, such as the notion that the Pope was supreme ruler and that all secular kings ruled or fell merely at his say-so.
- 2 The Green north end of New Street has views onto the estuary.
- Portmarnock has the scrappy remains of 12th-century St Marnock's church. Those in its graveyard include members of the Jameson whiskey family, Larry O’Neill a former Lord Mayor of Dublin, and the Plunkett family.
- Newbridge Demesne is a stately mansion and gardens on the peninsula north of the estuary- see Swords for details and road access. By rail you could take the train to Donabate and walk.
Do
- Walk to Portmarnock along the coast, about 40 minutes. It's exposed and windy, with no shelter if the rain comes on.
- 1 Low Rock is a good area for paddling and swimming. There's a beach between rocky outcrops.
- Malahide Cricket Club, Dublin Rd K36 W920 (200 m west of station), ☏ +353 1 845 0607. This ground, capacity 11,500, is the home of Leinster Cricket and the usual venue for Ireland's international matches.
- 2 Jameson Golf Links (Portmarnock GC), Golf Links Rd, Stapolin D13 V2X7, ☏ +353 1 846 0611. This is a links course on a sandy peninsula, part of an upmarket hotel. The championship course is 7463 yards (6824 m), par 72.
- Malahide Golf Club is on Beechwood Lane, 1 km inland from Portmarnock GC.
- Sailing: Malahide Yacht Club is on Caves Strand, with Swords Sailing & Boating Club 500 m further west on Estuary Rd, south shore of the Broadmeadow Estuary.
Buy
Town centre has the usual retailers including SuperValu and several ATMs.
Eat
- Eateries are concentrated in town centre just east of the railway station, with a couple more further along the coast.
- Gibneys of Malahide, 6 New St K36 HW67, ☏ +353 1 845 0606. Bar to 11:30PM. Serves trad pub food M-F to 9:30PM, Sa Su to 8PM. Often has live music.
- Cape Greko, 26 New St K36 Y181 (on first floor, corner of Strand St), ☏ +353 1 845 6288. M-F 5-10PM, Sa 12:30PM-midnight, Su 12:30PM-10PM. Greek and Cypriot restaurant.
- Sale e Pepe, Main St K36 RX07, ☏ +353 1 845 4600. Daily 5-11PM. Posh dining on seafood and steaks.
- Asian choices include Kajjal on Gas Yard Lane, Siam on The Green, Roseland Chinese at 3 New St, Orchid at 12 New St, and Jaipur at 5 St James Terrace.
Drink
Pubs in Malahide are open daily to 11:30PM, later at weekends. They include Gilbert and Wright on Ross Lane, Duffy's on Main St, Gibney's on New St (above), and Fowler's on New St.
Sleep
- 1 Grand Hotel, Grove Rd, Malahide K36 XT65, ☏ +353 1 845 0000, info@grandhotel.ie. Splendid old 4-star on the coast, often hosts weddings and other events. B&B double €250.
- 2 Malahide Guest Rooms, Back Rd, Malahide K36 XH51, ☏ +353 85 153 8086. Comfy guesthouse, no catering, 500 m south of village centre. Double (room only) €120.
- 3 White Sands Hotel, Coast Rd, Carrickhill D13 W7X2, ☏ +353 1 866 6000. Simple but good value hotel with 58 rooms in Portmarnock. Decent food, live music in the bar. B&B double €150.
Connect
As of May 2024, Malahide has 5G with all Irish carriers.
Go next
- Dublin city has attractions and amenities aplenty.
- Drogheda to the north has the prehistoric stones and tombs of Brú na Bóinne, and the site of the Battle of the Boyne.
- County Meath is suburban in its southern parts, but further out are the Hill of Tara, Trim castle, Kells priory, and Loughcrew Cairns near Oldcastle.