Whatever you are in to there is always something to do in Malahide. The Village is always has something fun to occupy your time during Summer, Winter, Autumn and Spring. If you’re looking for great things to do in the Malahide area, then look no further than our Enjoy Malahide 'Things to do in Malahide Page' – because here you’ll find a selection of local amenities, historical locations and fun ways to spend your time.

No matter whether you’re new to town, you’re just visiting or you’re a long-time resident, you can count on Enjoy Malahide to provide you with all kinds of great ideas for fun times. So take advantage of what Malahide has to offer by using our Guide today.

Enjoy Malahide publishes events based on submissions from event organizers and cannot guarantee the accuracy and currency of this information.

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To add your events to this section, email: events@enjoymalahide.com

A visit to Malahide Castle is so much more than just a tour, it is an engaging and truly memorable experience and is guaranteed to be the highlight of your visit to Dublin.

The Castle is one of the oldest and most historic castles in Ireland. From 1185 until 1975, it was the home of the Talbot family. This was a remarkable tenure by a single family and is one of the longest in Ireland.

To read all about the Castle, click here.

Audio Guides

Malahide Castle Audio Guides offer users a unique opportunity to explore this 800 year old Dublin Castle. The guide takes you through the castle and recounts many of the interesting tales associated with it.

Audio tours are available in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch and Japanese. Written translations are also available.

Admission Prices

For special 2 for 1 vouchers for admission the the Fry Model Railway and vouchers for the castle, click here:

Combined Ticket

Combined Tickets are available to visit Malahide Castle and one of the following attractions:  Dublin Writers Museum, James Joyce Museum, The George Bernard Shaw Birthplace, The Fry Model Railway

Malahide Castle Demesne Combined Ticket

A new 3 way ticket has been introduced recently where visitors can buy 1 ticket for all 3 attractions at Malahide Castle at a reduced price; Malahide Castle Tour, The Museum of Childhood and Fry Railway Museum:

The Fry Model Railway is a unique collection of handmade models of Irish trains, from the beginning of rail travel to modern times. One of the world’s largest miniature railways, the exhibition is unique in that it is a working railway covering an area of 2,500 sq. feet.

Situated in the beautiful grounds surrounding Malahide Castle, this delightful collection is a treat for railway enthusiasts, children and adults alike. The beautifully engineered models are from a collection originally built up in the 1920s and 1930s by Cyril Fry, a railway engineer and draughtsman, with each piece assembled with the finest attention to detail.

Irish and international exhibits from the earliest railway developments are run on a Grand Transport Complex which includes stations, bridges, trams, buses, barges and even the River Liffey… pick out the models of Cork and Heuston Stations, O’Connell Bridge and other Dublin landmarks, perfectly constructed in miniature. Definitely a treat for all the family including adults.

The Fry Model Railway is operated by Dublin Tourism Attractions in conjunction with Fingal County Council.

Website: Fry Model Railway

Opening Hours

April-September:

Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-5pm

Sundays: 1pm-5pm (Closed on Mondays )

Last admission is at 4:30 pm daily

Closed between 1-2 pm for lunch

October-March: Closed

Admission Prices

Malahide Demesne Regional Park covers an area of 109 ha. or 270 acres. The park was in the ownership of the Talbot Family in an almost unbroken line between the years 1185 and 1975 when the park was bought by Dublin County Council. The parkland is a good example of an eighteenth century landscape park with perimeter woodland belt surrounding extensive lawns.

Visitor attractions within the Demesne include Malahide Castle itself, Fry Model Railway, Tara’s Palace and Childhood Museum, Talbot Botanic Gardens. Visitor facilities include a Craft Shop, Restaurant and Tearooms.

The Park also includes a wonderful wooden Children's Playground, a 9 hole par 3 Golf Course, an 18 hole pitch & Putt Course, Sports Pitches, Tennis Courts and Cricket Pitch, an exercise trail and a boules area.

Getting There:

The Park is situated within easy walking distance of the centre of Malahide Village.

• By Car: Signposted from the M1/N1 Dublin-Belfast and from the main Dublin to Malahide road.
• By Bus: Bus 42 from Talbot Street in Dublin city centre.
• By Train: Just a short walk from Malahide Train Station on the main line from Dublin to Drogheda/Dundalk.

For complete directions to Malahide, click here.

Craft Shop

The Craft Shop of Malahide Castle is located in one of the oldest parts of the Castle.

It offers a wide range of gifts and Irish souvenirs, including a comprehensive selection of books, t-shirts, Celtic jewellery, Irish confectionery and Guinness official merchandise.

Botanic Gardens

The Talbot Botanic Gardens which contain almost 5,000 plant species. Emphasis has been placed on Southern Hemisphere plants, particularly Australasian and Chilean species. The gardens were largely created by Lord Milo Talbot between 1948 and 1973 and cover an area of 6.6ha of shrubbery.

The Museum of Childhood

Visit the enchanting Museum of Childhood, located in the beautifully restored old Corn Store building in the Courtyard of Malahide Castle. Let your imagination take over as you view antique toys, historic childhood bygones and dolls' houses dating back over 300 years.

The centrepiece of the museum is Tara's Palace, built to 1/12th scale, drawing on several of Ireland's "great houses" for architecture and design. The Museum also contains antique dolls, toys and other dolls' houses, including one from 1700 and one from the family of Oscar Wilde's mother

They raise money for children's charities donating 100% of admission fees to charity.

Click here to watch a YouTube video of the Museum of Childhood

Situated beyond a green belt of North County Dublin the seaside village of Malahide has an abundance of coastal and inland routes for fun walking and serious walking.

Whether you are looking for a family stroll or a more energetic walk all the trails are suitable for either and interlinked at points so they are easy to combine for those looking to expel more energy.

Walk 1. Malahide Castle Demesne Sylvan Trail

Light Blue walking trail on the map below

Malahide Demesne Regional Park covers an area of 109 ha. or 270 acres. The perimeter walk is approx. 4.5km, but the park contains various wooded and grass field paths crisscrossing the entire Demesne. The trails also include unmarked forest paths and trails demarked by cut grass, and wooden exercise points along the way. There is always the chance of spotting wildlife throughout the park, rabbits, birds, squirrels and occasional foxes inhabit the area. The park is shared by families, children, and joggers of all ages and abilities.

Walk 2. Malahide to Portmarnock Coastal Walk (see image, right)

Purple walkingtrail on the map below

The walk from Malahide to Portmarnock is an approx 4km elevated seaside coastal walk, skirting parkland on one side and the beach, down a small rock face, on the other side. It includes wide paths perfect to accommodate buggies, walkers, joggers and family's. This walk can be added to by joining the Robswall Hike, see below, or by deciding to traverse the beach trail which can be joined at many points along the walk. Once you reach Portmarnock you have the choice to walk the 2.5km stretch of Portmarnock beach that you will see open out in front of you.

Walk 3. Robswall Park Hillside Hike (see image, right)

Green walking trail on the map below

The Robswall Park is a newly opened Park on the East side of the Village, accessible from the Malahide to Portmarnock Coastal Walk. This park of over 90 acres contains numerous trails crisscrossing this hillside park that occupies the area of what was once the original settlement of Malahide, called Mullach Ide, the Hill of Ida in Gaelic, which gave Malahide its name.

The park allows you to enjoy an elevated site, with powerful and commanding views over the Estuary and out towards Lambay Island, as far as Irelands Eye and Howth.

Walk 4. The Broad Meadow Estuary Stroll

Magenta walking trail on the map below

Heading west out of the Village and linking Malahide to Seabury and onto Swords this 7km Estuary walk affords you all the beautiful views of the inner Estuary. Starting out you have the former fishermen cottages on one side and the Estuary on the other, but as you contiune you are surrounded by fields and trees on all sides. The Estuary is a hive of activity with boating and wind sailing as well as an abundance of wildlife including Swans and Ducks, which all add to the beautiful ambience and atmosphere of this walk.

Walk 5. The Malahide to Donabate Viaduct Walk

Red walking trail on the map below

This exciting new walk joining Donabate to Malahide along a trail parallel to the Dublin - Belfast railway viaduct which traverses the stunning Broad meadow Estuary is due for completion in 2011.