Malahide Marina
Malahide Marina is a modern marina located in the coastal town of Malahide, County Dublin, Ireland. Positioned within the sheltered Broadmeadow Estuary, the marina provides direct access to the Irish Sea and serves as a key hub for recreational boating on Ireland's east coast.
History
Malahide Marina was established in 1994 as part of Ireland's first residential marina development. The project included the construction of 407 residential units alongside 350 fully serviced berths. It was spearheaded by Irish property developer Gerry Gannon during a period of extensive development in Malahide.
Setting
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, consisting 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.
Facilities
The marina accommodates up to 350 vessels, with facilities to support boats up to 75 meters in length and a maximum draught of 4 meters. Amenities include:
- Fully serviced pontoons with water and electricity
- Fuel dock offering petrol and diesel
- Toilets, showers, and family/accessible bathrooms
- Laundry facilities and ice machine
- Free Wi-Fi
- 24/7 marina access and on-site security
- Boat maintenance services and chandlery
- A boatyard adjacent to the marina includes a 40-ton mobile hoist and offers hard standing for approximately 170 boats."Malahide Marina". Retrieved 2025-05-22."Malahide Marina". Retrieved 2025-05-22.
The entrance into the Malahide Inlet is straightforward, but there is less than 1m of water below CD at some points of the channel. An entrance at HW±0300 usually presents little issue. The marina can be contacted via VHF Channel 37 (M1) or by telephone at +353 (0)1 845 4129. Further contact details and visitor information are available on the official website.
Given adequate tidal height, Malahide can be entered in most weather conditions. However, it should not be attempted in developed easterlies or rough conditions from other quarters, especially on the ebb tide.
The inlet lies 5 miles southwest of Lambay Island. Vessels should not confuse Malahide with Rogerstown inlet 3½ miles north, which appears similar from seaward but is much shallower. Landmarks include the Grand Hotel, a 50-meter high church spire, and a square-towered castle.
There are numerous lobster pots in the area, often poorly marked and sometimes entangled with seaweed, requiring careful navigation.
Approaching vessels should proceed to the Fairway Buoy. A useful transit line is provided by aligning the church spire and the Grand Hotel at a bearing of ~266° T. The RW buoy (L Fl 10s) should be in ~4 meters of water. However, recent storms may alter the seabed.
The entrance channel is restricted by a sandbar with charted LWS depth of 0.8m. Visitors are advised to contact the marina for updated channel depth information. The bar has become an extensive plateau with shifting ridges due to storms.
Once assured of depth and conditions, follow the marked channel with three red and three green lateral buoys, then three sets of buoys marking the inner channel. These marks have differing light characteristics for night approaches.
The speed limit is 5 knots in the fairway and 4 knots in the marina. Deeper draft vessels should stay mid-channel, especially in narrows. Expect currents up to 3 knots on flood and 3.5 knots on ebb. Soundings should be monitored closely due to soft mud and sand. The last 200m to the entrance may be crowded with moored craft.
At night, the marina entrance is marked with red and green occulting lights. Currents inside the marina can be strong, requiring attention when berthing. Mooring users can land at a concrete pier with boat slips.
Location and Transport
Malahide Marina lies approximately 13 km north of Dublin city centre and is about 7 km from Dublin Airport. The town is served by the DART system via Malahide railway station."Harbour Information – Malahide". Retrieved 2025-05-22.
Attractions
The marina is within walking distance of Malahide town centre, with various shops and restaurants. Local attractions include:
- Malahide Castle and Gardens
- Broadmeadow Estuary
- Coastal walks to Portmarnock and other beaches
Events
The marina hosts events throughout the year, including the annual Malahide Muster organized by the Cruising Association of Ireland.[1]
Memberships
Malahide Marina is a member of TransEurope Marinas,[2] offering reciprocal berthing privileges across Europe."TransEurope Marinas: Malahide". Retrieved 2025-05-22.
History and Name
Malahide derives its name from the Gaelic Mullagh Íde meaning "sandhills of the Hydes", believed to refer to Norman founders. Archaeological finds in the estuaries of Malahide and Rogerstown suggest Mesolithic habitation around 6000 B.C. According to legend, Túathal Techtmar, an early Irish king, used Malahide as a sea base upon returning from exile in the first century A.D.
External links
See also
- Malahide
- Dublin Bay
- Irish Sea
References
- ↑ "Malahide Muster 2024". Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ↑ "Malahide Marina".
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