The Casino Model Railway Museum is located in Malahide in North County Dublin. Mum Ana took her son for a visit, read on to find out more about what they did and thought in our family review of the Model Railway Museum Dublin.
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Picture a wet, miserable rainy day over midterm break. What to do? We decided to head off to the Model Railway Museum, located in Malahide in North County Dublin, just a 10 minute drive from Dublin Airport.
A Visit to the Model Railway Museum Dublin
About Cyril Fry And The Casino Model Railway Museum
The Casino Model Railway Museum offers a close-up look at the exquisite workmanship of Cyril Fry’s hand-crafted models, possibly one of the most important private collections of miniature railway engines, wagons and carriages ever created. It’s located in the heart of Malahide Village, with easy access by road, DART and bus.
Cyril Laurence Fry (1905-1972) was the first son of Sydney Fry and Emilie Mabel. As a young boy, Cyril became fascinated by the trains that ran past the rear of their house in Dundrum.
When he was 10 years old, Cyril was sent to boarding school in England, where his passion grew. At 17 he became an apprentice and went on to become an engineer with the Inchicore Railway Works in Dublin.
Throughout his working career, Fry spent his spare time building over 350 precision-made models and created an elaborate layout on which to display them, complete with signal lights and level crossing barriers, which all worked automatically.
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Our Family’s Visit
This little museum is a great way to spend a couple of hours. You can book entry tickets online in advance or buy them on arrival.
Once inside, the museum is very easy to get around, with plenty to read and look at along the way. We enjoyed all the interactive screens, which were perfect for kids to explore at their own pace.
The crown jewel is at the end when you enter the Model Railway Room – my son absolutely loved it, and he wasn’t the only one! I didn’t even stop to take pictures as he jumped from one place to another trying to take it all in.
We made a short video of our visit, which will hopefully help any undecided parents wondering whether to go:
You can round off the trip with some playtime at the playground near Malahide Castle, or even venture on to the Castle Tour – but for us, that’s an adventure for another day!
There is paid parking right across the road, which is not expensive, or there’s free parking at Malahide Castle about a 10 minute walk away. As opening days and ticket prices can change, it’s worth checking the museum’s official website before you travel.
Final Verdict
It was a 5 out of 5 from my son – he simply didn’t want to go home!
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Have you visited the Model Railway Museum in Dublin? Leave a comment below and let us know – we’d love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Model Railway Museum located?
It’s in Malahide, Co. Dublin, close to Malahide Castle and just a 10 minute drive from Dublin Airport, with easy access by road, DART and bus.
What age is the museum suitable for?
It’s a great family day out, especially for children who are curious about trains or enjoy hands-on, interactive displays. Our reviewer’s son had a brilliant time.
How long should we plan for a visit?
Most families spend around a couple of hours there, with time to explore the exhibits and the interactive screens before finishing at the Model Railway Room.
Is there parking nearby?
Yes – there’s paid parking directly across the road from the museum, and free parking at Malahide Castle about a 10 minute walk away.
What are the current opening days and ticket prices?
These can change, so it’s best to check the museum’s official website or contact them directly before you visit to confirm up-to-date hours and pricing.
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Looking for more days out like this one? Browse our family-life hub for fresh ideas, or save this article to come back to when you’re planning your next rainy-day outing.
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