Malahide Castle
& Gardens
The magnificent medieval castle with a dramatic 800 year heritage. Embark on a journey through centuries of history with a guided tour of Malahide Castle, one of Ireland's most iconic landmarks.
Castle & Gardens
“A Haven of Tranquillity”
Discover a Serene Oasis at Malahide
Escape the hustle & bustle and discover a serene oasis at Malahide Castle Botanic Gardens. Our meticulously landscaped grounds offer a breathtaking showcase of nature’s beauty.
Stroll through vibrant flowerbeds, wander along winding paths, and relax in peaceful corners. Discover a diverse collection of plants from around the world, including rare and exotic species.
Whether you’re a passionate gardener or simply seeking a tranquil escape, our Botanic Gardens offer a truly enchanting experience
Butterfly House
Butterfly House
“Discover a Tropical Paradise”
Ireland’s only exotic Butterfly House
Step into a world of wonder at Malahide Castle’s enchanting Butterfly House. Surrounded by lush tropical plants and the gentle flutter of colourful wings, you’ll feel transported to a distant paradise. Our Butterfly House is home to hundreds of exotic butterflies from around the world. Marvel at the delicate beauty of these captivating creatures as they flutter and dance among the vibrant flora. Learn about their life cycle and the importance of conservation.
It’s a magical experience for all ages. Capture stunning photos and create unforgettable memories.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with nature in a truly extraordinary way.
Fairy Trail
“Fairy Trail is an enchanting experience”
spend time with all the family…
Our Fairy Trail invites you to step into a world of enchantment. Explore the magical woodlands surrounding Malahide Castle and uncover hidden fairy houses, whimsical creatures, and surprises at every turn as you wander through the forest.
Let your imagination soar as you create your own fairy tales.
Fairy Trial
“Fairy Trail is an enchanting experience”
spend time with all the family…
Our Fairy Trail invites you to step into a world of enchantment. Explore the magical woodlands surrounding Malahide Castle and uncover hidden fairy houses, whimsical creatures, and sparkling surprises as you wander through the forest.
Let your imagination soar as you create your own fairy tales.
The History
“King Henry II gifted Richard Talbot the lands and harbour of Malahide”
for his services to the crown in 1185.
From that point on, the Talbot family became intertwined with Malahide’s history and development. The earliest believed stone fortress at Malahide was an Anglo-Norman tower house. From the 12th century onwards, this stronghold was continually expanded by the Talbot family. Rooms were modified, fortifications developed and many embellishments to the interior were added until the castle took on its current form.
How to find us
Malahide Castle and Gardens is located a 10 minute drive from Dublin Airport and a 25 minute drive from Dublin city centre. Ample free parking is available on-site, which includes 7 coach bays for group tours
There are plenty of public transport options available to visit Malahide Castle from Dublin city. Dublin Bus routes 32 and 42 connect Dublin city center with Malahide village. There is also a direct bus from Dublin Airport to Malahide village on route number 102. The DART, Dublin’s rail network, serves Malahide from a number of city centre stations. The castle is approx. a ten minute walk from Malahide village.
Opening Times
MALAHIDE CASTLE & GARDENS
Open daily for all visitors 9.30am – 5.30pm
FAIRY TRAIL & WEST LAWN
Open from 9.30am.
BUTTERFLY HOUSE & WALLED GARDEN
Open from 9.30am
We recommend allowing a minimum of two hours for a visit to Malahide Castle and Gardens in order to fully enjoy all the site has to offer.
Reviews
VerifiedPonnerHistoric Castle and gardens. Our first time to visit here last Sunday and it did not disappoint. We started with a visit to the walled garden and butterfly house. A really great experience to see all the butterflies so close up. We then moved on to the castle for our pre-booked tour. Our tour guide Brendan was excellent and had a real passion for history of the building. He depth of knowledge was unbelievable and knew the answers to any questions asked. It was great to see such a historic building in such good condition. A credit to council for their upkeep. After the castle we took a walk around the beautiful gardens. Extremely well kept and very clean considering the amount of people that use them. Will definitely be returning for another visit.VerifiedFrancescaR1986Nice castle easily accessible from Dublin I chose to visit this castle easily accessible from Dublin by DART in about 30-35 minutes. It's a good compromise for those who want to see a castle, without renting a car. The estate is located in a public park very popular with locals. In addition to the guided tour of the castle (which covers almost all the main rooms, noteworthy is the dining room), you can integrate with the fairy park (for children but allows you to take very nice photos at the back of the castle), the garden with greenhouses, including that of butterflies. It is necessary to allow at least half a day to explore it all.VerifiedGerard BMagical grounds This is an amazing place to spend a few hours. The grounds are impeccably kept. There is a well laid out dining area, as well as a cafe. I didn’t do the castle tour, so cannot pass comment. I did walk to the sports pavilion. This walk on a sunny day is a joy. Again there is a cafe there. There is plenty of car parking spaces. Entrance to the grounds is free. Most enjoyable day.VerifiedDonatella DPerfect for an excursion from Dublin can be reached by train in no time Beautiful immense in a park immersed .Even the city is cute you can also take a train that takes you around the park and the cityVerifiedMario ABellissimo! To visit A drive from Dublin, a place to come and relax, have a picnic, play with friends. Surrounded by greenery, the castle is a must see and then take a ride in the small and pretty townVerifiedJean-Pierre DA great park to visit Last visit before returning to Switzerland. Visit with Guide on site. Tickets taken by the coach company , after explanation inside the castle visited the park. Lots of different species, a papillorama and souvenir shop.VerifiedPiera SCharming castle, set in a fantastic park Malahide is a pretty village in Dublin Bay. A magnificent castle, surrounded by a very large park and cared for in every corner. Really impressive!VerifiedCeciliaBeautiful Castle Beautiful Garden The castle and guided tour were both very interesting. The tour guided us through the history of the castle, the rooms each furnished in different time periods. The butterfly garden and gardens were beautiful and fun to explore. The food on site was also incredible.VerifiedJulie Sworth it This is worth the walk from downtown Malahide. The gardens are inspiring and lovely. The castle is worth the tour. It was rich history and makes for an excellent afternoon adventure.
Events Calendar
Explore three iconic Fingal attractions with unlimited visits with one annual membership pass!
Offering cardholders unlimited access to all our attractions which includes: Malahide Castle & Gardens (including the Butterfly House and Fairy Trail), Casino Model Railway Museum and also Newbridge House and Farm, our new Annual Membership Pass makes light work of great days out for all the family!
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Step into a world of wonder at Malahide Castle and Gardens.
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