Malahide Village
Gibneys
Image Source: Flikr/William Murphy
A must if you decide to visit! Located on lower Main Street; Gibney's is a family run establishment with a buzzing weekend atmosphere. This longstanding establishment has been a local social hub since 1937 and has grown impressively over the years. Now a sprawling venue, Gibneys hosts many different drinking rooms with its own sports bar in the back and a rooftop area for cocktails. With a huge LED screen taking up a whole wall in the smoking area, Gibney's is considered THE place to be on match day.
It has to be said the place is also a great spot for live entertainment, especially during the summer months. In the height of summer (July 30th- August 1st) the “Malahide Has It!” festival is held on the street right in front of Gibney's giving you perfect view of the temporary stage set up where live music and local talent can be heard until late. Saves these dates for the calendar as you don't want to miss this event!
Check out this video by Slick of the Malahide Has It Festival in 2015!
Saint-Germaine No. 7
Image Source: Zomato
This hidden little gem is reminiscent of a Parisian cafe with intimate seating and French inspired brunch. Their Croc Monsieur is a must as are their Chai Lattes. All hot drinks are served on a metal tray alongside a petit glass of sparkling water. Saint-Germaine is the perfect place to have your tea or coffee alfresco and watch the world go by.
Donnybrook Fair
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After first opening its doors to the locals of Malahide in 2018, Donnybrook Fair is one of the newer grocery store additions to the village. This organic market is home to a gourmet delicatessen as well as a small cafe space with a scenic outdoor seating area that looks onto Marina Green. This place is great for picking up a host of unique, high quality foods and drinks.
Scotch Bonnet Urban Cafe
Image Source: scotchbonnet.ie
If you like quirkiness then you need to get yourself to Scotch Bonnet where you can find a full-size motorbike mounted on a wall as well as various other unusual art pieces in the loft dining area. The restaurant is notorious for its chicken wings and bbq ribs so things can get a bit messy, you've been warned!
Malahide Castle and Gardens
Image Source: Jamie Haughton on Unsplash
Over the railway bridge and less than a 15 minute walk from the village center you'll find the park gates and tree-lined avenue that will take you all the way up to the Malahide Castle & Gardens.
The path will lead you along the walled garden to the Old Stables Visitor Center where you will find a seasonal ice cream shop, a small Regata retail outlet and (if you’re lucky) the resident peacocks and peahen who have made the courtyard their home. It’
s also here that you’ll find the Avoca Handweavers shop which boasts a Deli, take-out coffee, food-hall, clothes department and a home-ware section.
If you’re looking for some more action you can also rent bikes or a Surrey Pedal Car for up to 6 people. With a multitude of paths around the grounds including a playground and activity trail, there’s definitely something for everyone..
Not far away from the Visitor Center and Avoca is Malahide's famed Norman castle that was once home to the influential Talbot Family. Why not book a guided tour of the castle’s private rooms and collections, and learn more about the part it played in Irish political and social life? Rumor has it the house and grounds are haunted, so keep on the lookout for any paranormal activity!
Butterfly Farm and Castle Walled Garden
Image Source: Dronestegram
A wonderfully tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of the village; Malahide Castle has ornate private lawns, botanic gardens and offers you the chance to experience the only Butterfly farm in the Republic of Ireland. For an adult priced ticket of €12.50, visitors have access to the Walled Garden, West Lawn, Fairy Trail, Butterfly House as well as a spot on the guided tour of the castle. The castle grounds are also a great place for picnics and local events; numerous A-List artists have been hosted in the Castle such as Prince, Lana Del Rey, The Gorillaz, Mumford & Sons as well as The 1975 amongst many more. Keep an eye for any upcoming concerts hosted here!
BOOK YOUR MALAHIDE CASTLE TOUR TICKETS HERE
Outside The Village
If you want to explore more outside the village there are still plenty of things to see and do!
Artist’s Walk
Image Source: Portmarnock Art Group / Enjoy Malahide Facebook
Interested in art? Well there’s a temporary public gallery opened most weekends once the weather gets warmer where local artists display their work. The “artist’s walk” is located alongside the Tennis Club opposite the Grand Hotel. Have a browse and maybe even purchase a painting if it catches your fancy. Cafe Provence opposite the AIB bank also displays many local artists work, simply notify a member of staff and they will get you in contact with the artist.
Malahide Beach
Image Source: Blog Author
A tranquil marina and wind-swpet beach with low lying dunes are a huge charm factor for Malahide. The beach can be accessed by a waterfront pathway that goes from the Scout Hall and follows all the way behind the tennis club. Although prone to strong currents, Malahide beach is perfect for a peaceful walk or romantic stroll with breathtaking views of Lambay and Donabate in the distance. The beach is also extremely dog friendly so you are bound to bump into a cute pooch or two!
The Casino
Image Source: Hooke & MacDonald
This Cottage Orne (decorated cottage) has a strong local history dating as far back as 1185 when Sir Richard de Talbot, a Norman Knight was granted the lands of Medieval Malahide. It was later home to the Kirker family and their donkeys Salt & Pepper who were dearly loved by the local children. The Casino is one of the oldest landmarks in Malahide and has been sensitively renovated from a private residential cottage into a museum that now hosts the famous Cyril Fry Model Railway. Located right beside the railway station and with a driveway lit up by fairy lights at night, this building is hard to miss! Stop in and have a look around or learn more about the history of Irish rail.
For more info on what's good in Malahide, follow this link