The Model Railway Society of Ireland's annual exhibition is the single biggest event on the Irish model railway calendar. In 2026 it returns to a new venue — Mount Temple Comprehensive School on the Malahide Road in Dublin 3 — running the October Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday 24 to Monday 26 October.
If you only attend one Irish model railway event in 2026, this is the one to shortlist. Treat the details below as planning notes, then check the organiser's current event page before travelling or buying tickets.
What's New for 2026
The new venue is the headline change. Mount Temple offers more space than the previous venue, which means more layouts, wider trade-stand aisles, and easier flow on the busiest Saturday afternoon.
Irish Railway Models / Accurascale are the show's sponsors and typically use the weekend to launch new Irish-outline models. If you collect Irish prototype RTR, plan to be at the Accurascale stand on Saturday morning.
Featured Layouts
- Dundalk Works (MRSI) — finely detailed model of the Great Northern Railway of Ireland's Dundalk works and the iconic Boyne Viaduct at Drogheda. Returning after a 15-year absence; a major draw.
- Dun Laoghaire (SDMRC) — the Co Dublin DART station modelled in contemporary era, with current Irish Rail liveries running.
- Little Siddington (Wexford MRC) — at over 10 metres long, one of the largest travelling model railway layouts in Ireland.
Plus dozens of other layouts from clubs across Ireland, Northern Ireland, and visiting UK clubs — covering periods from the steam era to modern Iarnród Éireann.
Trade Stands
40+ stands typically attend, including Irish Railway Models / Accurascale, Clark Railworks, MarksModels, plus UK retailers and specialist suppliers. Show-only deals are common, but stock, card facilities and pricing can change by trader, so bring a target list and confirm current terms at the stand.
Practical Visitor Info
- Venue: Mount Temple Comprehensive School, Malahide Road, Dublin 3
- Dates: Saturday 24 – Monday 26 October 2026 (October Bank Holiday)
- Hours: typically 10am – 5pm each day (confirm closer to the date)
- Admission: approx €10–€12 adult, family discounts available
- Parking: on-site
- Public transport: Dublin Bus 27, 27A, 27B all serve Malahide Road; nearest DART is Killester (15-min walk)
Strategy for Your Visit
If you only have one day, Sunday is the sweet spot — quieter than Saturday but with everything still running. Saturday morning is great if you want to catch new-release announcements, but expect crowds at Accurascale's stand.
For Irish railway models or model trains buying intent, do the trade stands first, then come back after comparing eras, liveries and scale choices on the layouts. The best purchase is usually the one that fits your planned period, not just the item that looks rare on the day.
If you can split into two days:
- Day one (Saturday): trade stands and new releases first, then quick browse of all layouts
- Day two (Sunday or Monday): deep visit to the 5–10 layouts that caught your eye, talk to the modellers, study the techniques
What to Bring
- Cash for trade stands (not all take cards)
- Notebook or phone for layout notes
- Comfortable shoes — you'll be on your feet for hours
- List of items you're hunting for, with scale, livery era and coupling specifics
Pair with the SDMRC Exhibition
SDMRC's biennial show at Blackrock College usually runs the same weekend. Worth a visit on a different day for a different mix of layouts.
Full 2026 calendar →