Malahide Village: A Great Seaside Town Outside Dublin

Most people who come to Ireland head straight for Dublin, the Irish Capital. Dublin is a brilliant city filled with a lively atmosphere and lots to do, but sometimes you’ll just want to escape city life. That’s when the charming Malahide village is the perfect place to visit.

Malahide Village takes you away from the hustle and bustle of city life in Dublin to a lovely and friendly seaside town that you’ll quickly fall in love with.

Malahide offers something for everyone visiting. Whether you are coming for shopping, a fun day trip by the sea, or a weekend break, the village boasts a wide array of things to see and do.

A Short History of Malahide Village

Malahide village was known for being a popular settlement of the Vikings in Ireland from 795. It wasn’t long after that that Malahide saw the arrival of the Anglo-Normans, and it is believed that the last Danish King of Dublin chose to retire in the village in 1171.

The Talbot family, who resided at Malahide Castle during the 1180s, helped to build the area up and, over many centuries, developed their estate and soon a harbour settlement. In 1400, Thomas Talbot, the father of the Talbot family, received the powerful title of ‘Admiral of the Malahide’. This title gave him complete control over everything coming through  Malahide port. This title was passed through the family, each new generation took over control as confirmed by the Court of Exchequer in 1639.

As the 19th century approached, roughly 1000 people lived in the village. This period also saw a number of local industries come to life, such as salt harvesting, steam bakery, a silk ribbon factory, and gasworks—the last of the bunch were the only ones to survive into the 20th century. Malahide Harbour continued to grow as a commercial operation, bringing in merchandise, mainly construction materials.

Maladie village was becoming a popular place to live during the Georgian era, and many new housing estates were created to accommodate the growing population. Even today, you’ll still see some of the Georgian heritage, especially in the architecture of the houses along the seafront.

The seaside village has become one of the most desirable places to live/visit in Ireland outside big cities like Dublin. According to a census, around 15,000 people reside in the village as of 2011.

Things to do in Malahide

There is plenty on offer at the seaside village that makes you feel miles away from the busier tourist city of Dublin, but in fact, it’s just a short 30-minute drive. Malahide is the perfect escape in Ireland, where you’ll feel at home as soon as you get there.

Malahide Castle

Malahide village is captivated by the dominating and historic castle that is Malahide Castle. The Beautiful medieval castle is the top attraction in the village, offering visitors a wealth of 800 years of history and heritage to uncover.

“The castle is a picture postcard: the castle and grounds are beautiful.” – Trip Advisor Customer

Although the castle may be small, it makes up for its stunning architecture, beautifully furnished design and the rich history you’ll want to unravel. At Malahide Castle, you can explore generations of the famous Talbot family, who lived there for centuries.

A tour guide will take you through the fascinating stories and history within the castle’s walls. Offering you a glimpse into how the castle played an important role in Irish political and social life, as it still does to this day. The Castle is the Crown jewel of Malahide village.

Malahide Castle Gardens and Butterfly House

While visiting the spectacular castle, you can’t pass up checking out the stunning gardens and butterfly houses within its grounds. Set over 260 acres of gorgeous parkland; you will find exotic flowers and plants, natural beauty and huge open green spaces that make for the perfect picnic spot.

Make sure to visit the enchanting West Lawn, a tranquil area of green spaces surrounded by tall trees, ornamental wooden sculptures and a magical fairy trail. This is a photographer’s paradise, with many great photo opportunities due to the fantastic landscape.

Malahide Beach

After visiting the historic Castle, head to the beautiful Velvet Strand beach, which stretches 2km long. This popular spot with locals and tourists offers a captivating coastal walk to the nearby Portmarnock beach.

Sometimes, you might be lucky enough to get Malahide Beach all to yourself if you go early in the morning or late evening, offering you a chance to appreciate its beauty without being disturbed.

“What a view and what a treat! Hearing the waves crash on a beautiful seaside was a really enjoyable surprise.” – TripAdvisor Customer

Malahide Golf Club

Ireland is home to some brilliant golf courses, and the one in Malahide Village won’t disappoint you. Claimed as one of the friendliest golf courses in Ireland, it offers an excellent place for a round of golf. Malahide Golf Club offers 27 holes in one of the most beautiful natural landscapes.

Check out the impressive golf course in the video below:

Shopping in Malahide

Malahide is a great place to enjoy some shopping. It is filled with chic boutiques that offer something different and unique that you won’t find in Dublin.

Visit Marc Carin, the internationally successful fashion company, for something special: the only Marc Carin shop in all of Ireland. Check out Bianco and Neola for one-off women’s fashion pieces. For book lovers, you’ll want to visit the Manor Bookshop, filled with excellent Irish literature and more.

Every Saturday, the Sylvesters Malahide Market is held in the heart of the village. It features 20 stalls selling jewellery, vintage items, food, art, and more.

Restaurants in Malahide

Malahide is home to great restaurants, where you can try the local Irish cuisine and enjoy the marine environment.

One of the most popular restaurants is SeaBank; here, you can enjoy an amazing selection of seafood caught locally in the marina. The place is a small family-run business, so it’s always nice to eat locally when you can, and the food is delicious, which makes it even better.

If you want to try traditional Irish pub food, visiting the famous Gibneys Pub is essential. The pub is usually busy on the weekends, with its lively music and electric atmosphere. If you want to experience the best of Malahide village, this is where you should go and enjoy a drink with the locals.

Also not to be missed is ‘The Greedy Goose,’ the latest dining experience in Malahide. It offers a great selection of food and gorgeous views overlooking the marina and nearby islands. The restaurant offers a variety of miniature dishes, so you can try a selection of everything.

Events and Festivals

Malahide hosts various events and festivals throughout the year that showcase the village’s vibrant culture and community spirit. From music and arts festivals to food and drink events, there’s always something happening in Malahide to entertain locals and visitors alike.

One of the village’s event calendar highlights is the annual Malahide Has It Festival, a celebration of all things Malahide. Featuring live music, street performances, artisanal food stalls, and much more, this festival is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the true spirit of Malahide.

Community Spirit

What truly sets Malahide apart, however, is its strong sense of community spirit. Despite its growing popularity as a tourist destination, Malahide has retained its small-town charm and close-knit community feel. The village hosts various community events and festivals throughout the year, from music concerts and food festivals to arts and crafts markets and traditional Irish ceilidhs.

In addition to its vibrant events calendar, Malahide is home to various community groups and organizations dedicated to preserving the village’s heritage and fostering a sense of camaraderie among its residents. From local history societies to environmental conservation groups, Malahide offers plenty of opportunities for residents to get involved and positively impact their community.

Getting to Malahide

Malahide Village is conveniently located just 16 kilometres north of Dublin city centre, making it easily accessible by car, bus, or train. Visitors driving from Dublin can reach Malahide via the M1 motorway. At the same time, those opting for public transport can take the DART train from Dublin Connolly station to Malahide station, with the journey taking just 25 minutes.

Conclusion

Malahide is one of the best seaside villages in Ireland; we recommend staying here and travelling to the capital city of Dublin. There, you can explore more attractions, but you should come back to Malahide village during the day.

With its rich history, stunning scenery, and vibrant community spirit, Malahide Village offers visitors a truly unforgettable experience. Whether exploring the historic castle, enjoying a stroll along the beach, or sampling delicious seafood at a waterfront restaurant, Malahide has something for everyone to enjoy. So why not plan your visit to Malahide Village today and discover the charm of this delightful seaside haven just outside Dublin?

Have you ever been to Malahide? Share with us what you love most about the place!

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