10 Best Things to Do in Malahide
In Malahide you can find Irish life outside the big city, the pleasure of the simple and different attractions that I will talk about below. Are you ready?
Malahide by Night | @Miguel Mendez
Malahide is a visit that many tourists choose when deciding what to see and do in Dublin. Getting to know the local culture is, for some travellers, an essential part of the adventure of getting to know a new country.
With picturesque corners, historic monuments and a wide range of shopping, eating and drinking, Malahide is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of Dublin city. If you're looking for information about this peaceful and relaxed place, here's a guide to everything you need to know before you visit.
1. Take a guided tour
A good way to get to know Malahide is through a guided tour. This option will allow you to discover the nooks and crannies of this ancient town and captivate you at every turn as you explore the different tourist attractions in the area.
An experienced guide will tell you about the history of the town and its tourist attractions and historical monuments, so that you don't just take pictures, but also have useful and interesting information.
This type of tour usually lasts half a day, and you can choose the combined option, which will also take you to Howth town. Because of their close proximity, they are often visited together.
You will be able to visit the district's landmarks such as the famous Malahide Castle, the gardens, and much more. Tours are available in English and are usually priced at around €40.
If you're short on time, this is the right choice for your itinerary. The shuttle service will be more than convenient and the guides know the shortcuts to the historical attractions you can't miss on your visit.
2. Get lost in Malahide Castle
Did you think only Scotland was a land of castles? This 12th century medieval jewel stands in the middle of a large park in this charming village.
Malahide Castle is a fortress full of charming nooks and crannies. In fact, it is one of the oldest castles in Ireland and a place that anyone looking for a bit of peace and quiet will want to visit.
The castle was inhabited by the Talbot clan , who were always very involved in the history of Ireland and this visit will allow you to take a trip back in time to the era when it was inhabited by this family....
A little of the history of this castle is that this fortress survived the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. An event that you will find in all the history books of Ireland.
On your visit to Malahide Castle you will be able to see several truly unique sites. Firstly, the Oak Room has a luxury and detail that is hard to believe. It is a large stately room, decorated with gigantic panels of absolutely hand-carved wood, covering the walls and ceiling. All these reliefs depict well-known scenes from the Bible, such as Adam and Eve, the Temptation or the Expulsion from Paradise.
You can also discover several secrets in its construction. For example, one of the panels is a door that leads to a camouflaged place to hide the priests of the time. Remember that in this period there was a persecution of Catholicism, but this family held mass in this room. If anything unexpected happened, they could pretend that the mass was, in fact, a meeting like any other. There is no mass without a priest, right?
The tour also includes a visit to the Georgian decorated Sitting Rooms, the Great Hall and the Earls of Shrewsbury's chambers, where the clock stopped in the 19th century.
It's 800 years of history that you'll be immersed in. And it's quite impressive to see all the objects in the house, which in a way, seem to be arranged as if they are still waiting for their owners.
Interesting facts
- Opening hours: 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, every day.
- Price: the entrance fee is 6.5€ for children and 14€ for adults. It can only be visited on a guided tour. Your ticket includes access to the gardens.
3. Enjoy the outdoors at the Botanical Gardens
In the same grounds as Malahide Castle, you will find its wonderful botanical gardens, a beautiful green haven just minutes from Dublin city.
Within the gardens, you can identify around 5000 varieties of plants. The gardens make a perfect place to gather and enjoy a midday picnic after visiting the Castle, especially if you have travelled to Dublin in the summer.
If you feel like walking, there are some well marked trails for you to explore.
And if it's Talbot family luxuries we're talking about, you can also visit a Victorian-style greenhouse, a fascinating rose garden and a pond. A complete natural wonderland.
Interesting facts
- Opening hours: 9.30am to 4.30pm daily.
- Price: the entrance fee is 4.5€ for children and 8€ for adults.
4. Discover the Scale Railway Museum
This interesting and unique museum is housed in a country house built in the early 19th century by a member of the Talbot family. Its rustic style and thatched roof make everyone want to take a photograph.
The Casino Model Railway Museum, as it is called in English, offers an amazing exhibition of Cyril Fry's handmade models. You can find all the information, details and curiosities on the interactive displays, while enjoying this work of art about the history of the Irish railways.
It's a must-see if you're in Dublin with children, as they'll be impressed by the size of the model and all its small components - it's around 240 square metres in size!
Interesting facts
- Opening hours: From April to September it is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9.30am to 6pm. On Mondays it opens at 1pm. From October to March, it is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm and on Mondays from 1pm to 5pm.
- Price: the entrance fee is 5€ for children and 7.5€ for adults.
5. Explore the town's Butterfly House
Interestingly, the only butterfly house in the whole of Ireland is in Malahide and you can make a fantastic visit.
Malahide Butterfly House is a garden specially created for the breeding and study of thousands of species of butterflies. Just enter the grounds and you will find yourself surrounded by these beautiful creatures, flying among tropical plants and enchanted forests.
If you pick up the Museum's brochure, you can play at identifying their names as they fly around you. It is also a very child-friendly activity as, in addition to the colourful butterflies, there is a very entertaining interactive experience.
Interesting facts
- Hours: from 10am to 3pm, every day.
- Price: the entrance fee is €5 for children and €8 for adults.
6. Wander through the streets of Malahide village
Although this seaside town is considerably small, you can't miss the chance to discover local life. You'll find plenty of shopping venues and Irish pubs everywhere to take a break or shop for delicious regional produce.
Just walking from the railway station to the castle is a truly magical walk. You'll find church ruins, a verdant landscape and the tantalising aroma of fried fish, which will instantly whet your appetite. Don't miss it!
7. See the Malahide Village Church
The Catholic Church of San Silvestre is a very valuable architectural work for the whole village. And it is not only its structure, but also its history, which makes it the most important religious centre of the village.
In 1537, the Protestant religion was imposed and all the Catholic churches were converted. But there were no Protestants in the village, so the church of San Silvestre was completely abandoned. In the meantime, masses were held secretly in the Talbot Castle.
But the years go by and history changes and evolves, and today it has returned to its glory years. It is open every day and free of charge, for you to visit and delve into this incredible history.
8. Relax on the small beach of Velvet Strand
But it's not all ruins and gardens in this village, there's also the local beach. While it's not a pristine beach, the scenery of the sand surrounded by green dunes is really quite beautiful, and the views of the Dublin mountains and the town of Howth are sure to catch your eye.
This 4 kilometre long beach is an ideal place to relax, enjoy nature and the soothing sound of the waves. You're bound to see some surfers practising their skills in the sea.
The water at Velvet Strand is shallow, which makes it a good place to go with children.
9. Stroll along the harbour and promenade.
The harbour area of Malahide is where most of the town's activity takes place. You can explore archaeological discoveries and ruins from the Viking era, as well as enjoy magnificent views from this prime location.
Don't miss the promenade that runs the length of the harbour along the water's edge. It's a beautiful and comforting setting.
And as you probably know, it's also the place to sample the local gastronomic delights, as the main dishes to try contain fish, which you'll find fresh seven days a week and at all hours of the day.
10. Make the most of your visit and take a short break to Howth
The village of Howth is only 14 kilometres from Malahide and is a valuable addition to the Irish culture.
If you take a tour to Malahide from Dublin, some companies include the possibility of visiting both villages in one day. You can also choose two tours on different days and take advantage of what each town has to offer, which would be the best option. It all depends on how much time you have in Dublin city.
Among all the attractions you have to see in Howth, I recommend you to walk around the streets and markets, try the local dishes and you will also find another great castle worth visiting: Howth Castle.
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Ireland is a country full of attractions and activities throughout its territory and your visit to Dublin is the perfect opportunity to take the best tours and excursions from Dublin.
Remember that if you plan to visit different attractions while you're in Ireland, the Dublin Pass can be a great way to save money.