Ireland
We have come a long way since 1977, when Mike Mehigan opened Ireland’s first McDonald’s restaurant in Dublin’s Grafton Street.
Since then McDonald’s has become hugely popular in Ireland. Today we have 77 restaurants around the country and we have recently opened five McCafés in Dublin, providing more variety to the service we offer.
Changing Times
Since our foundation, times have changed, along with our customers’ expectations. We have responded to these changes as they have developed.
Nutrition
It is now easier than ever to keep track of what you eat. Our nutritional information, which you can find on cetain of our packaging, on the reverse side of the trayliners in restaurants and here on our website, covering areas including calories, salt and protein content.
Food Safety
We are committed to the highest standards and responded to concerns about food safety by telling our customers exactly what goes into our food and where we get our ingredients. We implement rigorous standards to ensure your favourite meal is always of the best quality.
Charity
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The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ireland was founded in 1997. Now, children all around the country are benefiting from the healthcare, education and social welfare projects that the charity helps to fund.
People
We are nothing without our team. Since we first opened in Ireland, our team members have made McDonald’s Ireland the success that it is. In return, we have helped them to develop skills that they can use in their future careers and in every aspect of their lives.
McDonald’s Ireland: the story so far
1977
Ireland’s first McDonald’s restaurant opens on Dublin’s Grafton St. A second restaurant follows shortly after, on Dublin’s O’Connell St.
1985
The first Irish and European Drive-Thru store opens at Nutgrove Shopping Centre, Rathfarnham, Dublin.
1984
Breakfast is introduced to the Irish menu.
1987
Chicken McNuggets make their first appearance in Ireland.
McHappy Day is held for the first time in Ireland, raising funds for local children’s charities.
1996
Ireland's first company-operated restaurant opens in the Ilac Centre in September 1996.
1997
Ronald McDonald Children’s Charity Ireland was established to assist child-related causes nationwide.
2003
McDonald’s Ireland launches the new McDonald’s global “I’m lovin’ it” campaign.
McDonald’s opens the first of five in-store cafés (McCafé) in Ireland, offering a completely different menu from the main restaurant.
2004
McDonald’s launched Salads Plus thus providing greater menu choice to customers than ever before. In the first year of the salad introduction, over 1 million were sold in Ireland.
McDonald’s was the first quick service restaurant to introduce nutrition labelling to packaging on its core menu items.
Ireland's first Ronald McDonald House opens in the grounds of Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin.
2007
McDonald’s celebrates its 30th birthday in Ireland.