Skerries Mills is a heritage museum and guided tour attraction in Skerries, County Dublin. It comprises three national monuments: a 13th-century watermill, a four-sail windmill, and the five-sail Great Windmill of Skerries — the only site in Europe with a collection of three mills and a working bakery in a single location. This 2026 travel guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, how to get there, parking, accessibility, what to see on the tour, and practical tips for planning your visit.
If planning to visit several Dublin attractions, including Skerries Mills, it’ll probably work out cheaper to invest in a Go City Dublin Pass.
Updated February 2026. Opening hours and ticket prices were verified in February 2026. Many third-party listings still show the adult ticket price as €10.00 — the current adult price is €12.00. Visitors should also be aware that repair works on the Great Windmill of Skerries are under way, with four of the five sails being replaced in stages from August 2025. Access to this windmill during the works may differ from normal — check the official website before your visit for the current status.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Skerries Mills, Millers Lane, Skerries, Co. Dublin, K34K293 |
| Opening hours | Daily 10:00–17:00 (last tour 16:00) |
| Closed | St Patrick’s Day; 24–27 December; 31 December–1 January |
| Adult ticket | €12.00 |
| Senior ticket | €11.00 |
| Student ticket | €11.00 |
| Child ticket (under 16) | €6.50 |
| Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children aged 16 or under) | €31.00 |
| Nearest train station | Skerries Station (approx. 5-minute walk); 35 minutes direct from Dublin city centre |
| Nearest bus | Dublin Bus 33 from lower Abbey Street; 33a from Dublin Airport |
| Parking | Free on-site car park; disabled and Age Friendly spaces available |
| Recommended visit duration | 1–2 hours |
Skerries Mills opening hours
Skerries Mills is open seven days a week from 10:00 to 17:00, with the last guided tour departing at 16:00. The café takes last meal orders at 16:15. The site is closed on St Patrick’s Day, 24 to 27 December inclusive, and 31 December to 1 January inclusive. All other days of the year, including Bank Holidays, are open as normal. Facilities — the Watermill building, café, and craft shop — are accessible from 09:45 for visitors with a booked tour.
Opening hours were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.
Skerries Mills ticket prices
The standard adult admission costs €12.00, which includes the fully guided tour of the watermill, windmills, and associated grounds. Seniors and students pay €11.00. Children aged 16 and under are charged €6.50. A family ticket covering two adults and two children aged 16 or under is available for €31.00.
The guided tour is the only means of accessing the watermill and windmills — the site cannot be explored independently. The Watermill building (including the café, craft shop, and gallery space) is freely accessible without a tour ticket. Advance booking is strongly recommended, as daily tour numbers are limited, particularly during peak season and weekends.
Go City Dublin Pass and Explorer Cards are accepted and include the guided tour plus tea or coffee and a freshly baked scone. Vouchers and pass bookings must be reserved by phone or email rather than through the online booking system, and can be held until 30 minutes before the tour. The Go Dublin City Pass also includes entrance to the likes of the National Wax Museum Plus, the Little Museum of Dublin, the Guinness Storehouse and 14 Henrietta Street.
Carers: A person who requires full-time care requires a paid tour ticket. Their care attendant receives a complimentary ticket, which must be arranged at reception on arrival.
Cancellations with more than 24 hours’ notice will receive a full refund. Cancellations inside 24 hours will be offered a tour time change where possible.
Ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.
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How to get to Skerries Mills
The most direct public transport option from Dublin city centre is the train. The Dublin–Drogheda/Dundalk commuter line serves Skerries Station, which is approximately a five-minute walk from the mills. Direct services depart from Connolly, Pearse, and Tara Street stations in Dublin city centre, with a journey time of approximately 35 minutes. Services run regularly throughout the day; check irishrail.ie for current timetables.
By bus, Dublin Bus route 33 runs from Lower Abbey Street in Dublin city centre to Skerries. Route 33a serves the same destination from Dublin Airport bus stands. From Balbriggan, route 33 also connects to Skerries.
By car from Dublin city centre, take the M1 motorway northbound and exit at junction 4, 5, or 6 for Skerries, following signs for the town. The mills are on Millers Lane and are well signposted within Skerries. The journey by car takes approximately 30 minutes in normal traffic and less than 15 minutes from the M1 motorway exit.
5 great Dublin experiences to book
- 🌊 Cliffs of Moher day tour: Take a day tour to the Cliffs of Moher, including the Wild Atlantic Way and Galway.
- 🚶 Dublin walking tour: Discover Dublin’s highlights and hidden gems on a city walking tour packed with stories.
- 📚 Book of Kells and castle tour: See key historic sites on a guided tour combining the Book of Kells and Dublin Castle.
- 🍺 Food and drink tour: Enjoy eight tastings on an indulgent walking tour.
- 🚤 River Liffey cruise: Take a sightseeing cruise along the River Liffey.
Parking at Skerries Mills
Free on-site parking is available in the Skerries Mills car park, with dedicated spaces for holders of Disabled Parking Cards and Age Friendly parking spaces. Bicycle parking is also provided. Electric vehicle charging points are being installed in the car park, commencing summer 2025. The town of Skerries has additional public parking areas if the main car park is busy. Note that during the annual Harvest Time Festival, the on-site car park is closed and entry by car is not available — specific dates are published on the official website.
How long to spend at Skerries Mills
The guided tour lasts approximately one hour, and the site recommends allowing one to two hours for the full visit, including time in the café, craft shop, and gallery. Visitors who also walk to Skerries town centre, beach, or harbour can extend their day significantly — the beach and harbour are each approximately 10 minutes’ walk from the mills.
Accessibility at Skerries Mills
The majority of the guided tour is not accessible to wheelchair users, prams, or baby pushchairs, as it involves outdoor terrain and the historic multi-level structure of the mills, which were built for industrial rather than public use. The outdoor dining terrace is fully accessible at ground level. The café, craft shop, and gallery on the second floor of the Watermill building can be reached by a chair lift. The bookshop on the third floor and meeting rooms are not accessible to wheelchair users. The car park has ample disabled parking with blue badge spaces and Age Friendly spaces.
Wheelchair users who wish to experience the heritage content are encouraged to contact the team in advance by phone or email — private arrangements can be made to meet the guides and access the areas that are reachable. The tour is also not suitable for children aged five and under. Assistance dogs are the only animals permitted inside the building.
Inside Skerries Mills: what to see and do
All access to the watermill and windmills is by guided tour only. Tours begin in the Watermill building, where a dedicated guide introduces the site’s history and leads visitors through the milling process. The watermill dates from the 13th century in origin and was restored to working order in 1999 following a ten-year restoration programme by Fingal County Council, FÁS, and the local community. Visitors can try stone-grinding flour by hand, observe the waterwheel in action as it turns the internal shakers, blowers, and winnowers, and see three sets of working millstones powered by an overshot waterwheel fed from the associated mill pond via a series of sluice-controlled mill races. The mill pond and associated wetlands are visible from the tour route and support a range of wetland wildlife.
From the watermill, the tour crosses a crop field — which is planted with heritage grain varieties — to the windmills. The four-sail windmill is the older of the two and sits at the highest point of Skerries town on the site of a prehistoric ring fort, rising to 12.2 metres. Its thatched cap is turned into the wind manually from inside using a hand lever. Visitors go inside the mill and can witness the internal mechanics in action. On clear days the elevated position of this mill offers views over Skerries town, the offshore islands of Shenick’s, Colt, and Red Island, and along the coastline toward the Mourne Mountains.
The Great Windmill of Skerries — the five-sail windmill — is 15 metres in height with a sail diameter of 20 metres and contains two sets of grinding stones. Its cap is oriented using a tail-pole rather than a hand lever. This mill was rebuilt in its five-sail form in the mid-19th century following storm damage and became a widely recognised symbol of the town. Note: From August 2025, four of the five sails are being replaced in stages; the mill may have reduced sail configuration during the repair period. Check the official website for the current status before your visit.
The Mill Bakery, established on the site in the 1840s and in continuous operation since restoration, bakes fresh goods daily using flour milled on site. Freshly baked scones, tarts, traybakes, and cakes are served in the Watermill Café, which is open to all visitors including those without a tour ticket. The café also offers light lunches — baked potatoes, homemade fish cakes, freshly prepared soup, sandwiches, and a children’s menu — with outdoor seating on the Willow Terrace. Last food orders are at 16:15. Café bookings between 13:00 and 14:00 are accepted on request, with a set menu offered for that sitting.
The Craft Shop in the Watermill building stocks Irish-made crafts and giftware through a rotating local crafter project, with new crafters showcased throughout the year. Items include nautical and coastal themed gifts as well as pieces suitable for birthdays and other occasions. Gift vouchers are available in the shop and can be used for tour tickets, café purchases, and shop purchases.
The gallery space within the Watermill building displays work by local artists and changes periodically. It can be visited without a tour ticket.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book in advance | Daily tour numbers are limited. Advance booking is strongly recommended, particularly at weekends and during summer. Walk-up tickets may be available but cannot be guaranteed. |
| Note the 16:00 last tour | Despite the site being open until 17:00, the last guided tour departs at 16:00. Arriving after 16:00 means no tour access to the mills that day. |
| Dress for outdoors | The majority of the tour takes place outside. Wear flat, comfortable footwear and dress appropriately for the weather. Tours are cancelled only in extreme weather; a full refund is processed if a tour does not go ahead. |
| Check Great Windmill sail status | Repair works on the Great Windmill began in August 2025 and are progressing in stages. Confirm the current state of the windmill on the official website or by contacting the team before your visit if this is important to your trip. |
| Café opens from 09:45 | Visitors with a booked tour can access the Watermill building, café, and facilities from 09:45, before their tour begins. |
| Go City Pass holders must book by phone or email | Passes and vouchers cannot be redeemed through the online booking system. Contact the team by phone on +353 1 849 5208 or email [email protected]. Reservations can be held until 30 minutes before the tour. |
| Tour not suitable for under-5s or prams | The guided tour is not recommended for children aged five and under, and the majority of the site is not accessible to prams or pushchairs. A children’s play park is located beside the car park. |
| Luggage storage available | Tour ticket holders can leave larger items of luggage at reception for up to two hours, allowing you to visit the café, gallery, and community garden without carrying bags. |
Frequently asked questions about Skerries Mills
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How much does Skerries Mills cost? | Adult €12.00; senior €11.00; student €11.00; child (16 and under) €6.50; family (2 adults + 2 children) €31.00. |
| Is Skerries Mills open on Sundays? | Yes. Skerries Mills is open every day from 10:00 to 17:00, including Sundays. The last tour is at 16:00. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Skerries Mills? | Advance booking is strongly recommended. Daily tour numbers are limited and tours can fill up, especially at weekends and in summer. |
| Is Skerries Mills wheelchair accessible? | The majority of the guided tour is not wheelchair accessible due to the outdoor terrain and historic building structure. The café and craft shop are accessible via a chair lift in the Watermill building. Wheelchair users who wish to visit should contact the team in advance to discuss private arrangements. |
| Is Skerries Mills suitable for children? | Yes, for children aged six and over. The tour is not recommended for children aged five and under. A children’s play park is located next to the car park. |
| Can you visit Skerries Mills without a guided tour? | The Watermill building — including the café, craft shop, and gallery — is open to all without a tour ticket. However, access to the watermill workings and both windmills is by guided tour only. |
| Is Skerries Mills included on the Dublin Pass? | Yes. The Go City Dublin Pass covers the guided tour, and also includes tea or coffee and a freshly baked scone. Bookings must be made by phone or email rather than online. |
| How do you get to Skerries Mills by train? | Take the Dublin–Drogheda/Dundalk commuter train from Connolly, Pearse, or Tara Street stations. The journey takes approximately 35 minutes. Skerries Station is a five-minute walk from the mills. |
| Is there parking at Skerries Mills? | Yes. Free on-site parking is available, with disabled and Age Friendly spaces. EV charging is being added from summer 2025. |
| Are dogs allowed at Skerries Mills? | Only registered assistance dogs are permitted inside the building. |
Things to do near Skerries Mills
Skerries town and harbour — approximately 10 minutes’ walk from the mills. A traditional fishing village with seafood restaurants, cafés, pubs, and a working harbour. Fresh fish and shellfish are available directly from local suppliers.
Skerries beaches — the town has three beaches within easy walking distance. Red Island Beach and South Beach are the closest to the town centre; South Beach is particularly popular with families.
Skerries offshore islands — Shenick’s Island, Colt Island, and Red Island are visible from the windmills and the town. Local boat trips operate seasonally; enquire locally for current availability.
Newbridge House and Farm — approximately 12 km south in Donabate, reachable by train (Donabate Station). A Georgian country house managed by Fingal County Council, with a traditional working farm, formal gardens, and café.
Malahide Castle and Gardens — approximately 20 km south, reachable by train (Malahide Station). A medieval castle on a 260-acre estate with guided tours, botanic gardens, butterfly house, and fairy trail. Admission charged.
Rush and Lusk Heritage Centre — approximately 10 km south of Skerries in the village of Lusk, on the Dublin Coastal Trail. A free heritage centre housed in a medieval round tower and 19th-century church tower, covering north County Dublin’s history. Free admission.
More Dublin travel
Other Dublin travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Practical guide to visiting Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral and Dublinia.
- What you need to know before visiting EPIC The Irish Emigrant Museum, the Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship and the Famine Memorial on Custom House Quay.
- Embrace the cheese at the National Wax Museum Plus and the earnestness at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience.
- Discover which parts of Dublin Castle are free to visit.
- Trace the tale of the Easter Rising at the GPO Museum.
