Drive In Near Me: Drive-In Cinemas in Ireland (2025)

There’s something special about watching a movie from your car, especially when the Irish weather cooperates, and over the past few years drive-in cinemas have become a regular seasonal event from Dublin to Cork. This guide covers where to find them, how they work, and what to expect when you search for a “drive in near me” in Ireland.

Drive-in cinemas currently operating in Ireland: 5+ ·
Year Retro Drive-In Movies launched: 2020 ·
Average drive-in ticket price in Ireland: €30-€45 per car ·
Largest drive-in capacity (Retro Drive-In): 200+ cars

Key facts at a glance

Here are the key facts about Ireland’s drive-in cinema scene.

What drive-in cinemas are near me?

Whether you’re in Dublin, Cork, or somewhere in between, there are several drive-in venues operating on a seasonal basis. The main nationwide operator is Retro Drive-In Movies (Ireland’s largest drive-in operator), which runs events at Leopardstown, Cork Racecourse Mallow, and Emerald Park (Ashbourne). Beyond that, pop-up events appear on platforms like Entertainment.ie (event listings) and Dublin.ie (city events guide).

• Retro Drive-In Movies – Leopardstown, Cork Racecourse, Emerald Park
• Drive In Movies @ RDS – Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 (€29.99+)
• Starlite Drive-In Cinema – Naas Racecourse, Co. Kildare (Follow Fox Events (event organiser))
• Past events – Malahide Castle, Castleknock (check local listings for repeats)

The implication: planning ahead is essential for a successful drive-in outing.

Is there a drive-in cinema in Cork?

Yes, Cork has at least one dedicated drive-in venue: Retro Drive-In Movies at Cork Racecourse, Mallow. The exact address is Killavullen Road, Mallow, Eircode P51 XK86 (Retro Drive-In Movies (venue page)). The venue is described as “Ireland’s unique pop-up drive-in movie theatre” by Cork Racecourse Mallow (racecourse website).

What to expect at a Cork drive-in screening:

• Sensory friendly events are offered at select screenings
• Dogs on leash are welcome
• Audio is broadcast via FM radio – bring a working car radio
• Tickets range from €30 to €45 per car, booked online in advance

The trade-off: Cork’s drive-in is seasonal and weather-dependent, so it’s wise to check the schedule shortly before you plan to go.

What is the schedule for Drive-In cinema Leopardstown?

Leopardstown Racecourse has been a recurring host for drive-in events. For 2025, Retro Drive-In Movies (summer page) lists a summer run from May 15–17, 2026 (note: this is a future date; check for updated 2025 dates). Historically, Virgin Media (telecommunications and events promoter) ran a series at Leopardstown in 2019 with two screenings per day (3pm-5pm and 7pm-9pm).

How to book tickets online: Tickets for Retro Drive-In Movies are sold directly via their website (retrodrivein.ie). For events listed on Eventbrite, such as the RDS drive-in, purchase is through that platform. Screenings often sell out, especially on weekends, so early booking is advised.

The pattern: Leopardstown remains a key hub for drive-in cinema in Dublin, but its schedule is limited to specific dates rather than a weekly run.

How do drive-in cinemas work in Ireland?

If you’ve never been to a drive-in, here’s what you need to know before heading out.

Step-by-step guide to your first drive-in movie

1. Find a venue – Use Retro Drive-In Movies, Eventbrite, or local event listings.
2. Book tickets online – Advance booking is required; walk-ins are rarely accepted.
3. Arrive early – Gates typically open 30–60 minutes before the screening.
4. Tune your car radio – Audio is transmitted over FM; the frequency is provided at the gate.
5. Enjoy the show – Keep headlights off during the movie, and follow site staff directions.

Audio broadcast via FM radio: All Irish drive-ins use short-range FM transmitters. You’ll need a working car radio; some venues also allow portable radios if you’re sitting outside your car.

Arrival and parking rules: Cars are parked in rows with spacing to allow visibility. You must arrive with enough fuel to keep the engine off during the movie (or follow site rules about idling).

What you can bring: Blankets, snacks, and dogs on leash are generally allowed. Check each venue’s policy – Retro Drive-In Movies permits dogs, but some pop-ups may not.

The catch: preparation is key to avoid disappointment on the night.

Timeline: The rise of drive-in cinemas in Ireland

• 2019: Virgin Media runs a drive-in series at Leopardstown and four other towns (Ennis, Dundalk, Wexford, Dungarvan) with two screenings per day (Virgin Media (drive-in movie series)).
• 2020: Retro Drive-In Movies launches as “Europe’s biggest outdoor drive-in.” Ticketmaster Ireland also hosts a multi-day series in Dublin with showings at 2:30pm, 5:30pm, and 8:30pm (Ticketmaster IE Blog (event organiser)).
• 2021-2023: Retro Drive-In expands to Cork Racecourse Mallow and Emerald Park, adding sensory friendly and dog-friendly events (Retro Drive-In Movies (venue page)).
• 2024: Continued operation with seasonal schedules published on retrodrivein.ie (Retro Drive-In Movies).
• 2025: Regular events at RDS Dublin, Naas Racecourse, and Leopardstown (check listings).

The pattern: the scene has grown from a pandemic novelty into a recurring seasonal fixture.

What’s confirmed vs what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Retro Drive-In Movies operates in Ireland (Retro Drive-In Movies (largest Irish drive-in operator))
• Drive-In cinema Leopardstown schedule is available online (Retro Drive-In Movies (summer schedule))
• SuperMac’s drive-thru is not a cinema (Carzone Advice (motoring and leisure guide))
• RDS Dublin hosted a drive-in in July 2025 (Entertainment.ie (event listings))
• Cork Racecourse Mallow hosts Retro Drive-In (Cork Racecourse Mallow (venue partner))
• Starlite Drive-In Cinema runs at Naas Racecourse (Follow Fox Events (event organiser))

What’s unclear

• Number of permanent drive-in venues across Ireland
• Whether drive-in cinema events are running today due to weather dependency
• Exact 2025 dates for some pop-up venues (still to be announced)

The implication: while the major operators are known, the pop-up scene remains fluid.

What people are saying about drive-in movies in Ireland

“Ireland’s unique pop-up drive-in movie theatre.”

— Cork Racecourse Mallow (venue partner)

“Drive-in movies are coming to Dublin – with multiple daily screenings from Friday 12 June through Thursday 18 June.”

— Ticketmaster IE Blog (event organiser, 2020)

For Irish movie-goers who want the nostalgic drive-in experience without leaving the country, the choice is clear: book ahead for a seasonal event at Retro Drive-In or check Eventbrite for pop-ups, or stick with car-friendly cinemas like Omniplex or IMC for a more predictable evening. For a broader comparison of cinema options, see our guide to Movie Theatre Near Me in Dublin: Compare Cinemas & Prices.

Related reading: **New Year’s Eve Events Near Me in Ireland: Dublin, Galway & More 2025** · **Movie Theatre Near Me in Dublin: Compare Cinemas & Prices**

For those looking to catch a film under the stars, checking drive-in movie schedules in Ireland can help you plan your visit.

Frequently asked questions

The takeaway: always confirm details with the venue before heading out.