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Malahide is located on Ireland’s east coast approximately ten miles north of Dublin City and four miles north of Howth. It is a small vibrant seaside town and harbour that has a sailing club and a large scale fully serviced marina.

Malahide is located on Ireland’s east coast approximately ten miles north of Dublin City and four miles north of Howth. It is a small vibrant seaside town and harbour that has a sailing club and a large scale fully serviced marina.

Situated in a narrow shallow inlet, within an estuary that is protected on either side by sandhills, the marina offers complete protection from all conditions. Although Malahide has a shifting sandbar, access remains straightforward. The entrance channel is well marked by lit lateral buoys for night access and the bar is moderately deep so that most leisure vessels should be able to enter with ease two hours after low water most of the time.
Please note

Malahide should not be attempted in any developed easterly conditions or in very rough conditions where Howth Harbour would be the better option. It is advisable that newcomers only enter at half water and in daylight when the channel will be clearly seen. Vessels carrying any draft should seek advice from the marina regarding the currently available depths prior to an approach.




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Keyfacts for Malahide
Facilities
Water available via tapDiesel fuel available alongsidePetrol available alongsideGas availableMini-supermarket or supermarket availableExtensive shopping available in the areaSlipway availableLaundry facilities availableShore power available alongsideShore based toilet facilitiesShowers available in the vicinity or by arrangementHot food available in the localityPublic house or wine bar in the areaMarked or notable walks in the vicinity of this locationPleasant family beach in the areaCashpoint or bank available in the areaPost Office in the areaInternet café in the areaInternet via a wireless access point availableDoctor or hospital in the areaPharmacy in the areaChandlery available in the areaTrolley or cart available for unloading and loadingHaul-out capabilities via arrangementBoatyard with hard-standing available here; covered or uncoveredScrubbing posts or a place where a vessel can dry out for a scrub below the waterlineMarine engineering services available in the areaRigging services available in the areaElectronics or electronic repair available in the areaSail making or sail repair servicesBus service available in the areaTrain or tram service available in the areaRegional or international airport within 25 kilometresCar hire available in the areaHandicapped access supportedShore based family recreation in the area


Nature
Marina or pontoon berthing facilitiesVisitors moorings available, or possibly by club arrangementQuick and easy access from open waterNavigation lights to support a night approachSailing Club baseUrban nature,  anything from a small town of more 5,000 inhabitants  to a large cityHistoric, geographic or culturally significant location; or in the immediate vicinity

Considerations
Restriction: may be subject to a sand barNote: harbour fees may be charged

Protected sectors

Current wind over the protected quadrants
Minimum depth
0.8 metres (2.62 feet).

Approaches
4 stars: Straightforward; when unaffected by weather from difficult quadrants or tidal consideration, no overly complex dangers.
Shelter
5 stars: Complete protection; all-round shelter in all reasonable conditions.



Last modified
January 24th 2022

Summary* Restrictions apply

A completely protected location with straightforward access.

Facilities
Water available via tapDiesel fuel available alongsidePetrol available alongsideGas availableMini-supermarket or supermarket availableExtensive shopping available in the areaSlipway availableLaundry facilities availableShore power available alongsideShore based toilet facilitiesShowers available in the vicinity or by arrangementHot food available in the localityPublic house or wine bar in the areaMarked or notable walks in the vicinity of this locationPleasant family beach in the areaCashpoint or bank available in the areaPost Office in the areaInternet café in the areaInternet via a wireless access point availableDoctor or hospital in the areaPharmacy in the areaChandlery available in the areaTrolley or cart available for unloading and loadingHaul-out capabilities via arrangementBoatyard with hard-standing available here; covered or uncoveredScrubbing posts or a place where a vessel can dry out for a scrub below the waterlineMarine engineering services available in the areaRigging services available in the areaElectronics or electronic repair available in the areaSail making or sail repair servicesBus service available in the areaTrain or tram service available in the areaRegional or international airport within 25 kilometresCar hire available in the areaHandicapped access supportedShore based family recreation in the area


Nature
Marina or pontoon berthing facilitiesVisitors moorings available, or possibly by club arrangementQuick and easy access from open waterNavigation lights to support a night approachSailing Club baseUrban nature,  anything from a small town of more 5,000 inhabitants  to a large cityHistoric, geographic or culturally significant location; or in the immediate vicinity

Considerations
Restriction: may be subject to a sand barNote: harbour fees may be charged



Position and approaches
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Haven position

53° 27.238' N, 006° 9.055' W

Southern point of the Marina’s breakwater at the entrance.

What is the initial fix?

The following Malahide Fairway Buoy initial fix will set up a final approach:
53° 27.101' N, 006° 6.811' W
This waypoint is the most recent Malahide Fairway Buoy (Q Fl) position. Like all markers in Malahide it is subject to change following the frequently shifting sand bar.


What are the key points of the approach?

Offshore details are available in eastern Ireland’s Coastal Overview from Strangford Lough to Dublin Bay Route location. Details for vessels approaching from the south are available in eastern Ireland’s coastal overview from Dublin Bay to Rosslare Harbour Route location.

  • Medium to deep-draft vessels should contact the marina in advance and confirm the channel provides sufficient draft for entry.

  • Find the Fairway marker buoy and look west to identify the channel marks.

  • Three port and three starboard perch marks run from the safe water mark to just before the narrowing of the beaches, then three sets of buoys mark the channel to the marina.

  • Proceed up the marked channel passing between the buoys leaving them to the appropriate side.


Not what you need?
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Below are the ten nearest havens to Malahide for your convenience.
Ten nearest havens by straight line charted distance and bearing:
  1. Rogerstown Inlet - 3.6 nautical miles NNE
  2. Carrigeen Bay - 4.1 nautical miles SE
  3. Talbot’s Bay - 4.7 nautical miles ENE
  4. Howth - 4.7 nautical miles SE
  5. The Boat Harbour - 4.8 nautical miles ENE
  6. Rush Harbour - 4.9 nautical miles NNE
  7. Balscadden Bay - 5.2 nautical miles SE
  8. Saltpan Bay - 5.3 nautical miles ENE
  9. Seal Hole Bay - 5.6 nautical miles ENE
  10. Loughshinny - 6.1 nautical miles NNE
These havens are ordered by straight line charted distance and bearing, and can be reordered by compass direction or coastal sequence:
  1. Rogerstown Inlet - 3.6 miles NNE
  2. Carrigeen Bay - 4.1 miles SE
  3. Talbot’s Bay - 4.7 miles ENE
  4. Howth - 4.7 miles SE
  5. The Boat Harbour - 4.8 miles ENE
  6. Rush Harbour - 4.9 miles NNE
  7. Balscadden Bay - 5.2 miles SE
  8. Saltpan Bay - 5.3 miles ENE
  9. Seal Hole Bay - 5.6 miles ENE
  10. Loughshinny - 6.1 miles NNE
To find locations with the specific attributes you need try:

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Chart
Please use our integrated Navionics chart to appraise the haven and its approaches. Navionics charts feature in premier plotters from B&G, Raymarine, Magellan and are also available on tablets. Open the chart in a larger viewing area by clicking the expand to 'new tab' or the 'full screen' option.

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What's the story here?
Malahide set within the Malahide Inlet
Image: Bill Boaden via CC BY_SA 2.0


Malahide is an affluent coastal suburban town situated within a sea inlet that passes between sandhills to a large lagoon. The lagoon is divided in two by the embankment and viaduct carrying the Dublin to Belfast railway line. The inner estuary to the east, although tidal, never drains completely, so is essentially a large picturesque artificial shallow lagoon, used mainly for windsurfing, and small dinghies. The outer part hosts the harbour consists of a shallow and narrow inlet protected on each side by the sandhills. The town lies 1¼ miles within the entrance on the inlet’s south side. The marina is set into the inlet to the north of the town and is protected by a breakwater extending westward then southward from the inner side of East Pier and a small detached breakwater inside the marina entrance.


Yacht approaching the marina through the Malahide Inlet
Image: William Murphy via CC BY SA 2.0


The entrance into the Malahide Inlet is straightforward, but there is less than 1m of water below CD at some points of the channel. So it is essential to have an adequate height of tide required for safe entry. An entrance at HW±0300 will present little issue. Malahide Marina is a large full-service marina that accommodates up to 350 vessels including 20 designated for visiting yachts. It is capable of taking vessels with a LOA of up to 75 metres carrying a draught of up to 4 metres.


Malahide Marina
Image: William Murphy via CC BY SA 2.0


The marina can be contacted via VHF [Malahide Marina] Ch. 37/M, Landline+353 (0)1 845 4129, E-mailinfo@malahidemarina.net. Current berthing fees External link are available on their web site. The marina, however, tends to become crowded during the summer and visiting small craft may have difficulty in finding a berth. It is therefore strongly recommended that availability be checked with the marina in advance.

In the past, it was possible to anchor in the inlet but this is no longer feasible due to the level of boating activity in the area. Malahide Yacht Club VHF[Yacht Base) Ch. M, Landline+353 (0) 1 845 3372, may also be able to provide a spare mooring adjacent to the channel on the approaches to the marina.

Given adequate tidal height, Malahide can be entered in most weather conditions. It should not be attempted in any developed easterly conditions, or in very rough conditions from other quarters, as the sea breaks on the extensive sand plateau outside. This is particularly the case on the full ebb tide that can reach up to 3.5 knots and causes the sea to stand up in easterlies.


How to get in?
The Ben Of Howth, Lambay Island, with the Malahide and Rush intlets
Image: Bill Boaden via CC BY_SA 2.0


Convergance Point Ireland’s Coastal Overview from Strangford Lough to Dublin Bay Route location provide approach details. Vessels approaching from the south can also avail of the Dublin Bay to Rosslare Harbour Route location coastal overview.


Malahide Inlet, bottom, and the Rogerstown Intlet, top, are very similar from
seaward

Image: Tearbringer via CC BY-SA 4.0


Positioned 5 miles southwest of Lambay Island, the most prominent feature of this coast. The principal concern is not to confuse Malahide with the Rogerstown inlet located 3½ miles northward. Both sea inlets appear similar from seaward, but Rogerstown inlet is much shallower. The Malahide area is made conspicuous by many mainland structures. An aeronautical light, situated at the airport, about 4½ miles west-southwest of the entrance to the Malahide Inlet, that is highly visible from seaward.

Ben Of Howth to Malahide
Image: Tearbringer via CC BY-SA 4.0


On closer approaches, the extensive Grand Hotel will be seen standing on the south side of the inlet, about a mile west from the entrance. A ¼ mile to the west of the hotel is a prominent 50-metre high chapel spire, and there is a square-towered castle with the red roofs of several houses close by, standing on the shoreline about ¾ of a mile to the southeast of the hotel.
Please note

There is an abundance of Lobster Pots in the general Howth / Malahide / Lambay area and are made up of anything from a black oil can to a clear plastic lemonade bottle. Worse, orphaned pots can get so shrouded in seaweed that they are virtually impossible to identify. So tread carefully.



Yacht exiting over the sandbar
Image: Mark Murray via CC BY-SA 2.0


Initial fix location Approaching vessels should proceed to the listed Fairway Buoy initial fix. A useful initial lead-in-transit to the entrance is provided by aligning the 50 metres high church spire and the right-hand edge of the Grand Hotel on a bearing approximately 266° T. The RW buoy, L Fl 10s, that should be lit and be in at least 4 metres of water but neither of these should be relied upon as the light may be out and a recent easterly storm could have altered the depths in the area.


The outer spar buoys leading over the sand bar
Image: Michael Harpur


The entrance channel is restricted by a sandbar with a charted LWS depth of 0.8. In the past, it was periodically dredged but this has been largely abandoned in recent years owing to the increasing frequency of easterly storms that refill the entrance. These storms have caused the sandbar to alter its shape and it is becoming more of an extensive plateau with many ridges. It is strongly recommended that all visitors obtain the latest channel depth information when contacting the marina. As a rule of thumb and for guidance only, the depth at the Fairway Buoy is approximately 2 meters deeper than the shallowest point in the channel which is usually over the bar itself.


Yacht passing in between the sand heads
Image: Michael Harpur


Once sufficient draft and conditions have been assured, proceed up the marked channel between the buoys, leaving each to the appropriate side, up to the Marina entrance. Three red and three green anchored lateral marks indicate the run from Malahide Fairway Buoy through the drying sandbanks to just before the narrowing of the beaches.


The channel between the sandbanks
Image: Michael Harpur


From there to the marina entrance the channel is marked by three sets of buoys. This brings the total number of marks to six port and six starboard marks, each of which having a different light characteristic to assist a night entrance. The marina and adjacent apartment blocks will be visible throughout the approach.


The marina and adjacent apartment block is visible during the approach
Image: Michael Harpur


Although the channel is very narrow it is clearly laid out and steep-too enabling vessels to pass close to the marks. The speed limit is 5kn in the fairway and 4kn in the marina. Deeper draft vessels should, however, stay mid-channel and in the narrows for best water. Expect some current as the flood attains 3kn Springs, 3½kn the ebb.


Yacht approaching Malahide Marina
Image: William Murphy via CC BY SA 2.0


Maintain a close watch on the soundings as the vessel approaches the start of the moorings area to the south of the channel, as there are some old dredged mud deposits in this area. If the vessel should inadvertently run aground, it is not a big issue as it is all mud and sand inside the harbour with very little hard contact.


Exiting power boat passing through the closely spaced moorings
Image: William Murphy via CC BY SA 2.0


The last 200 metres to the marina entrance is cluttered with the moored small craft that can encroach on the fairway making it very narrow as a result. Once past the moorings area bear round to starboard where the entrance to the marina will be seen, at night lit by occulting red and green lights to each side. Visitor’s berths are on pontoon A.


Malahide Marina as seen from the southern shore
Image: Tourism Ireland


Haven location Berth as directed by the maria office as set out on their Berth Plan External link. It is advisable to make a note of the currents when preparing to berth in the marina. Although there is ample manoeuvring space the marina is subject to a strong flow through the pontoons at times. If unguarded against it can push a vessel onto the pontoons or other vessels.

Vessels electing to use moorings will find a concrete landing pier and boat slips on which to land.


Why visit here?
Malahide derives its name from the Gaelic Mullagh Íde that means the 'sandhills of the hydes'. It is thought the name 'Hydes' stems from a Norman founder of the town. But human history runs much deeper than this in this interesting coastal area.


Malahide at sunrise
Image: Miguel Mendez via CC BY 2.0


The first evidence of human settlement in Ireland dates to the early Mesolithic period around 8000 BC and to was not long after that this area was inhabited. Rich finds of Mesolithic period flint and stone artefacts have been uncovered in the estuaries of Malahide and Rogerstown. The prehistoric remains found in Malahide indicate that the town’s origins date back to a settlement from at least 6000 B.C. Doubtlessly the terrain provided a wide range of resources for these peoples and it not long before it was used as a sea base. In the latter end of the first century, it is recorded in a legend that Túathal, one of the first great Kings to emerge in Ireland, used it as a sea base to return from exile.


The Malahide Inlet makes an ideal location for early harbour
Image: William Murphy via CC BY SA 2.0


Túathal was the son of the High King Fiacha Finnfolaidh, who the kings from the four provinces didn’t care much for his rule. They rose up against Finnfolaidh overthrew him and his sons, including Tuathal, were sent into exile. Éllim, the King of Ulster, was then promoted to High King and he took his seat at Tara, the traditional national seat of power.


Malahide Castle 1830
Image: Public Domain


But as legend had it, God wasn’t happy with Éllim and made Ireland suffer national hardships shortly afterwards that included a significant famine. Seizing upon the malcontent, Túathal, then aged about 25, with his brothers, Fiacha, Cassán and Findmall, returned with an army of 600 men that they landed at Malahide. Marching upon Tara they quickly defeated Éllim in battle, but this was not going to be a thing of a single 'headshot'. Túathal and his band of men then set about the gruelling task of twenty-five battles in Ulster, twenty-five in Leinster, as many in Connaught, and thirty-five in Munster before they finally took the country. Once in charge, Túathal established Meath, the area around Tara, as his home and fortified the main settlement. From there, Monarch Túathal reigned for 35 years until he was slain by his successor Mal, A.D. 106, which was a long-standing for the politics of the time.

The Diamond, the central point of the Malahide, in the early 20th-century
Image: Public Domain
Ireland’s patron saint St Patrick reportedly visited the area in 432, bring Christianity. Then in 795 the Vikings arrived to plundering it with a raid on the monastery on Lambay island - the annals make reference to a raid on Rechru the pre-Viking name for Lambay which is a name with Viking origins. It is possible there was some Viking settlement on the peninsula but there has been no archaeological evidence uncovered to date to support this. By the middle of the ninth century Danish bases were well established at Inbher Domhnainn (Malahide) and Ben Eadair (Howth).

In the latter end of the 12th-century, the Normans took control of the country. They consolidated their control of this agricultural and maritime area by the construction of a large number of castles, such as Malahide, Swords, Howth, and Dunsoghly. These reflect both the politically disturbed conditions of the region and its wealth. From its foundation Fine Gall was closely linked with the fortunes of Dublin and has been an area characterised by the cultural diversity of its inhabitants. It was from the castle when Malahide would most likely have acquired its name and the town then developed in earnest around it.


Malahide Castle and its grounds today
Image: Tourism Ireland


The castle's earliest section, the three-story tower house, dates back to 1185 when it was home to the Talbot family. It remained with this family for a remarkable 791 years until 1976, with the singular exception of a period from 1649 through to 1660 when Oliver Cromwell granted it to Miles Corbet. After the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, and the subsequent demise of Cromwell, Corbet was hanged and the castle was restored to the Talbots. The Talbot family were staunch supporters of James II and on the day of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, 14 members of the family breakfasted here; none came back for supper. The building was later notably enlarged in the reign of Edward IV, and the rounded towers were added in 1765, giving it the classic fairytale appearance.


Malahide Castle's portcullis today
Image: William Murphy via CC BY SA 2.0


By the early 19th-century, the village had a population of over one thousand and had developed a number of local industries, including salt harvesting. The harbour had then added commercial operations and was landing coal and construction materials. In Georgian times the area grew in popularity as a seaside resort for wealthy Dubliners and expanded to the broad shape that can be seen today. In more recent times Malahide’s population of 1500 in 1960, had expanded to almost 25,000 in 2006 and is still a rapidly growing dormitory town for the Dublin area. Most of the population live outside the core in a series of large housing estates that are regarded as some of Dublin's more affluent suburbs.


Malahid's Georgian heritage is abundantly evident
Image: Tourism Ireland


Today, Malahide’s seaside resort heritage is still evident from the fine collection of Georgian houses both in the town and along the seafront. It is still a popular city day-tripper destination during the summer months and has a host of interesting shops and cafés to peruse. Other than the town and coastal attributes, Malahide is chiefly known for the glorious Malahide Castle and the 100-ha (250-acre) landscaped grounds of the Demesne that is open daily to the public. Sold to the Dublin County Council in 1976 the castle itself combines many of the styles of the centuries it crossed. It can be visited on paid for guided-tour-only basis. The best-known rooms are the Oak Room and the Great Hall, which displays Talbot family history that includes many family portraits as well as other figures such as Wolfe Tone. The medieval great hall is the only one in Ireland that is preserved in its original form, and authentic 18th-century furnishing can be seen in the other rooms.


Malahide Castle's added 'fairytale' towers today
Image: Tourism Ireland


The Talbot Botanic Gardens, situated behind the castle, comprise several hectares of plants and lawns, a walled garden of 1.6 hectares and seven glasshouses, including a Victorian period conservatory, that feature a collection of southern hemisphere plants. The vast parkland around the castle is one of the few surviving examples of 18th-century landscaped parks with wide lawns surrounded by a protective belt of trees. It has more than 5,000 different clearly labelled species of trees and shrubs and can be visited freely. In addition to woodland walks, and a marked 'exercise trail', the park features actively used sports grounds, including a cricket pitch and several football pitches, a 9-hole par-3 golf course, an 18-hole pitch-and-putt course, tennis courts and a boules area. There is also a secret garden, a café and craft and souvenir shops.


Malahide is a major center for boating
Image: William Murphy via CC BY SA 2.0


Separately within the castle is 'The Fry Model Railway' that is one of the world's largest miniature railway displays. This large, 2,500 square feet, working miniature rail display, presents rare handmade models of the Irish railway from the 1920s-1930s. There is also a dolls house within the castle, called 'Tara's Palace', that has 25 rooms, all fully furnished in miniature.


Malahide at sunset
Image: Miguel Mendez via CC BY 2.0 (Head)


From a boating perspective, Malahide Harbour is a key sailing centre and a major cruising destination. It offers a visiting yachtsman complete protection with excellent boating facilities, a wide variety of first-rate eating places, plus plenty of historic interest. All this with Dublin City within easy reach via overground rail.


What facilities are available?
Malahide Marina is one of the largest Marinas in the Dublin area. It provides over 350 berths and can receive vessels of up to 75 metres in length and has a maintained depth of 2.3 metres. The facilities offered at the Marina are all modern and well kept. A 30 ton capacity mobile hoist is available in the adjacent yard and it has a hard standing capability to accommodate up to 170 vessels. All boating necessities are catered for, showers, laundry, diesel, gas, and chandlery, plus you will find ample if modest shopping, pubs and restaurants in the surrounding town.

Malahide is situated 16 kilometres north of Dublin City on the R107 and is approximately a 15 minute car ride; albeit traffic dependant. The village has excellent public transport with an hourly train service from Dublin's Connolly Station as well as by Dublin Bus No. 42 that leaves every 15 minutes from Beresford Place behind the Custom House in Dublin. It is also situated just a 10 minute drive, four miles distance, from Dublin international airport. Road routes such as the M1 and M50 motorways are highly convenient and high speed ferries to the U.K. are within easy reach.


With thanks to:
Brian Berry and Charlie Kavanagh - ISA/RYA Yachtmaster Instructor/Examiner.


































Aerial Overview of Malahide



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