Dalkey (Irish: Deilginis, meaning "thorn island") is a small town in historic County Dublin, though nowadays it's within Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County. It's pronounced daw-kee and the town is named for the nearby uninhabited island, not vice versa. The town is a picturesque and upmarket, with a couple of Norman castles; celebrity residents have included Maeve Binchy, Bono, Enya and George Bernard Shaw.
- Dalkey Castle, Castle Street. M, W-F 10:00-17:00, Sa Su 11:00-17:00. 14th-century fortified town house. May-Oct there are "living history tours" with medieval characters, and guided historical / literary walks M W F at 11:00. Archbold's Castle across the street is a fortified warehouse of similar date, nowadays a private residence. Dalkey's other five similar castles have been lost. Adults €6.
- Mediterranean Dalkey: Coliemore Road (along the coast) and Sorrento Road (inland) are where Ireland dreams it borders the Med, with white villas and palm trees. They're glorious on a sunny day, though on a grey cold wet day they look forlorn. Both roads are too narrow to enjoy while driving, but there's a sidewalk (or should that be marciapiede?) throughout. They're both about a mile long so a gentle stroll down one and back up the other might take an hour. Along Coliemore Road, Coliemore Harbour. has views over Dalkey Island and boats to take you there.
- Sorrento Park. is the hill at the intersections of Coliemore, Sorrento and Vico Roads. A short scramble brings you to the top.
- Dalkey Island., 300 m offshore, is now uninhabited but was long settled and a centre for pilgrimage. There are remains of old field systems, St Begnet's church, a 'cairn' burial, a gun battery and a prominent Martello Tower. There are two Holy Wells, one being reputed to cure scurvy, and its waters were laden with swamp vegetation so the claim may not be far-fetched. Look for seals, black rabbits, wild goats and Roseate Terns. The rocks out to the east are the hazardous "Muglins", with a lighthouse. In fine weather boat trips run daily from Coliemore Harbour, adult €10. Trips may also run from Bulloch Harbour near Dun Laoghaire.
- Manderley Castle (aka Victoria or Ayesha Castle) is a Victorian mock-castellated mansion in Killiney. It's owned by the singer Enya, who because of repeated security breaches has had to raise the fencing, so nowadays you can't see much.
Dalkey Castle, Castle Street. M, W-F 10:00-17:00, Sa Su 11:00-17:00. 14th-century fortified town house. May-Oct there are "living history tours" with medieval characters, and guided historical / literary walks M W F at 11:00. Archbold's Castle across the street is a fortified warehouse of similar date, nowadays a private residence. Dalkey's other five similar castles have been lost. Adults €6.
Mediterranean Dalkey: Coliemore Road (along the coast) and Sorrento Road (inland) are where Ireland dreams it borders the Med, with white villas and palm trees. They're glorious on a sunny day, though on a grey cold wet day they look forlorn. Both roads are too narrow to enjoy while driving, but there's a sidewalk (or should that be marciapiede?) throughout. They're both about a mile long so a gentle stroll down one and back up the other might take an hour. Along Coliemore Road, Coliemore Harbour. has views over Dalkey Island and boats to take you there.
Sorrento Park. is the hill at the intersections of Coliemore, Sorrento and Vico Roads. A short scramble brings you to the top.
Dalkey Island., 300 m offshore, is now uninhabited but was long settled and a centre for pilgrimage. There are remains of old field systems, St Begnet's church, a 'cairn' burial, a gun battery and a prominent Martello Tower. There are two Holy Wells, one being reputed to cure scurvy, and its waters were laden with swamp vegetation so the claim may not be far-fetched. Look for seals, black rabbits, wild goats and Roseate Terns. The rocks out to the east are the hazardous "Muglins", with a lighthouse. In fine weather boat trips run daily from Coliemore Harbour, adult €10. Trips may also run from Bulloch Harbour near [[Dun Laoghaire]].
Manderley Castle (aka Victoria or Ayesha Castle) is a Victorian mock-castellated mansion in Killiney. It's owned by the singer Enya, who because of repeated security breaches has had to raise the fencing, so nowadays you can't see much.
- Walk: instead of turning back at the south end of Coliemore & Sorrento Roads, continue southwest along the shore by Vico Road. This parallels the railway tracks and eventually brings you to Killiney DART Station, with trains back to Dalkey every ten mins.
- Sea kayaking offshore, but note there can be strong currents and tidal overfalls around Dalkey Island.
- Dalkey Book Festival is held over three days in mid-June with readings and similar events in various locations around town. Dates for 2020 are not yet announced.
Walk: instead of turning back at the south end of Coliemore & Sorrento Roads, continue southwest along the shore by Vico Road. This parallels the railway tracks and eventually brings you to Killiney DART Station, with trains back to Dalkey every ten mins.
Sea kayaking offshore, but note there can be strong currents and tidal overfalls around Dalkey Island.
Dalkey Book Festival is held over three days in mid-June with readings and similar events in various locations around town. Dates for 2020 are not yet announced.
There are a number of shops along Castle Street.
- Thyme Out, 34 Castle Street. M-F 08:30-19:00, Sa 08:30-18:00. Deli grocery with sandwiches, breads, cakes and other tasty things.
- Select Stores, 1 Railway Rd. M-Sa 08:00-18:00. Deli / health food store with café, fruit, vegetables, wholefoods.
- Gutter Bookshop, 20 Railway Road. M-Sa 10:00-18:00, Su 12:00-17:00. Small bookshop but good selection, knowledgeable staff.
Thyme Out, 34 Castle Street. M-F 08:30-19:00, Sa 08:30-18:00. Deli grocery with sandwiches, breads, cakes and other tasty things.
Select Stores, 1 Railway Rd. M-Sa 08:00-18:00. Deli / health food store with café, fruit, vegetables, wholefoods.
Gutter Bookshop, 20 Railway Road. M-Sa 10:00-18:00, Su 12:00-17:00. Small bookshop but good selection, knowledgeable staff.
- Idlewilde Cafe, 20 St Patrick Rd, Dalkey (100 m north of Dart station, +353 1 235 4501. Daily 08:00-18:00. Charming café in a leafy courtyard with great breakfast and lunch, coffee and smoothies. Try to spot the local celebs. €8-12.
- Magpie Inn, 115/116 Coliemore Road, +353 1 202 3909. Daily 12:00-23:30. Pub with food and beers.
- Mugs Café, 61A Castle St. M-F 07:00-18:30, Sa Su 08:00-18:30. Friendly place, cash only.
- Others along main drag are Guinea Pig for seafood, Thai House (not Mon), Kathmandu Nepalese (daily), Ouzos (daily) and Benito's.
Idlewilde Cafe, 20 St Patrick Rd, Dalkey (100 m north of Dart station, +353 1 235 4501. Daily 08:00-18:00. Charming café in a leafy courtyard with great breakfast and lunch, coffee and smoothies. Try to spot the local celebs. €8-12.
Magpie Inn, 115/116 Coliemore Road, +353 1 202 3909. Daily 12:00-23:30. Pub with food and beers.
Mugs Café, 61A Castle St. M-F 07:00-18:30, Sa Su 08:00-18:30. Friendly place, cash only.
Along main drag are The Dalkey Duck, Queens Bar with good steaks, and The Club Bar.
Good coverage throughout Greater Dublin.
Most onward routes mean travelling into Dublin. But a little way south by Dart train is Bray, with connections across County Wicklow and south towards Wexford.