Malahide
Get in
Malahide is accessible both by bus and rail.
By train
🌍 Malahide train station is in the center of the town. It is on both the DART line and the Suburban commuter lines. See the Irish Rail website Irish Rail for train times.
By bus
The bus route 42 from Talbot St To Sand's Hotel (Portmarnock) passes through Malahide. From Talbot St the trip takes approx. 45 minutes.
The bus route 32 runs from Lower Abbey St to Malahide. This route runs less frequently then the 42.
Get around
The main points of interest are Malahide castle and the coastal walk to Portmarnock.
Malahide town is centred on a crossroad: the diamond, called so as the buildings are set back at the junction to form a diamond shape.
Facing the road from the bus stop with the church behind you (this works for the train station also): To the right, over the humpback bridge, it the entrance to Malahide castle demense.
To the left, is the crossroads, beyond is the Grand Hotel and the main route to Portmarnock. The street has many coffee shops and one pub (Duffy's).
Moving towards the crossroad and turning left (downhill) has more coffee shops and two more pubs (Gibney's and Smyth's). It is also the way down to the marina.
Some may find Toots the Malahide road train suits their needs to get around, see entry in the Do section.
See
A must-see when in Malahide is the castle and its grounds. There are many walks through the woodland which lead to the castle. There is an outdoor playground and many wide-open spaces.
- 🌍 Malahide Castle, ☎ +353 1 8169538.
- 🌍 Fry Model Railway. The Fry Model railway used to be at Malahide Castle until 2010 but is now expected to reopen at the Casino (cottage) in 2019
- 🌍 The Green (Follow R106 east from the station the north up New Street.). The only public space within Malahide town itself this pentagonal green has views of the sea and a controversial 'Ammonite' sculpture
- 🌍 Malahide Cricket Club. Cricket ground with occasional international matches
Do
The other main attraction is the coastal walk to Portmarnock that clings to the coast. A walk from Malahide to Portmarnock can take about 40 minutes. You may also want to take a walk along Portmarnock's Velvet Strand. The coast route is exposed and so you should be prepared for windy conditions, there is no shelter along the way if the weather changes.
There are several bus routes that pass between Portmarnock and Malahide if you want to save the walk back with the 32A and 102 both following the coastal route. The 42 follows a different route but runs more frequently.
- 🌍 Low Rock (paddling). Shallow strand suitable between sets of rocks suitable for padding and easy swimming in appropriate tide conditions Free.
- 🌍 Irish Centre for Cycling - cycle hire (Lodge is located on the Malahide Road side of the Castle - flags visible beside the Rugby pitches west of railway bridge), ☎ +353 1 816 8580, e-mail: info@irishcentreforcycling.ie. 09:00-17:00. Bike hire, tours, sales, summer camps. As well as the lodge there is a desk in the Malahide Castle visitor centre.
- 🌍 Toots, the Malahide road train, ☎ +353 86 385 8753. 9.30am-5.30pm. Toots the road train links the DART station, village shops, optional Grand Hotel, sandy beach and Malahide Castle and gardens. Hop on-hop off with a round trip of 40 minutes €12.
Buy
There is a cacophony of boutiques, selling named brands in Malahide.
Eat
Malahide has 51 eateries - so you should find something for everyone
- Gibneys of Malahide, New St. Offers lunch and house specials from 12:00 to 15:00 daily.
- Coffee Scene, Main St. Coffee shop with sandwiches, salads, cakes, pastries, etc.
- itsa... Malahide (itsa cafe & bagel store Malahide), New St (close to the Diamond & Taxi Co.), ☎ +353 1 845-6744. 09:00-18:00. Coffee shop & bagel store. Homemade fillings, soups, salads, smoothies, goodies & cakes. €5+.
Drink
There are several pubs in Malahide, including Gilbert and Wright, Duffy's, Gibney's, and Fowler's (formerly Smyth's).
Sleep
- 🌍 Grand Hotel, ☎ +353 1 845-0000, e-mail: info@grandhotel.ie. 4-star.
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