Dalkey

The district is named after Dalkey Island, just offshore. The name is ultimately derived from the Irish deilg ("thorn") and the Old Norse ey ("island").

Section of Castle Street.
Although Dalkey's main street has buildings from the 10th century much of Castle Street dates from the early 19th century.

Dalkey lies by the coast, between Dún Laoghaire (and Sandycove and Glasthule) and Killiney. Off the coast are Dalkey Island (up to the 18th century, also "St. Begnet's Island"), Malden Rock, Clare Rock, Lamb Island, and, further offshore, The Muglins, which have their own lighthouse. The town is on fairly level land, but the district rises to Dalkey Hill (140 m), the northern peak of a ridge which continues to Killiney Hill to the southwest; the two hills are now contained within the public park known as Killiney Hill Park.[8] Along the coast are the natural harbour at Bullock, a couple of small inlets, Sorrento Point just east of the town proper, and the northern park of Killiney Bay.

Dalkey Island is home to a colony of seals, and a herd of wild goats also lives on the island.[9] Birdwatch Ireland have established a colony of Roseate Terns on Maiden Rock just north of Dalkey Island. A pod of three bottlenose dolphins also frequents the waters around Dalkey Island.[9] There are red squirrels and sparrow hawks on Killiney Hill.

Norman Castle in Dalkey, Ireland

Dalkey's main street, Castle Street, has a 10th Century church and two 14th Century Norman castles, one of which, Goat's Castle, houses the local Heritage Centre (the other, Archbold's Castle, is private property). There are several scenic and historical walks and tours. Dalkey Hill offers views over Dublin city, Dublin Bay, and towards the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains.

Deilg Inis Living History Theatre Company run live theatre performances every half-hour at Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre.

Boats are available to hire at Bulloch Harbour on Harbour Road and Yacht trips around Dalkey Island can be taken from nearby Dún Laoghaire Harbour. Dalkey Quarry is a rock climbing and abseiling venue. Killiney Hill is also used as a launch site for para-gliders.

Paraglider at Killiney Hill, looking over Dalkey Island

Dalkey has a number of pubs and restaurants.

There are 5 schools in Dalkey:

• Loreto Primary School caters for boys from junior infants through first class, and for girls from junior infants through sixth class.
• Loreto Abbey Secondary School caters for girls from first year through sixth year.
• Harold Boys' National School caters for boys from second class through sixth class.
• Saint Patrick's National School caters for boys and girls from junior infants through sixth class.
• Castle Park School is an independent school for boys and girls from Montessori to the end of primary school.

Cuala CLG, a Gaelic Athletic Association sports club, and Dalkey United, an association football club, are both based at Hyde Park. Early in his soccer career, Paul McGrath played for Dalkey United. In the 1940s, the town produced another international footballer, Peter Farrell. It has set up an athletics club, the Dalkey Dashers. Dalkey Rowing Club is based at Coliemore Harbour and Kayaking is taught at Bulloch. Dalkey Sea Scouts keep two old sailing boats at Bulloch Harbour.

A tram in Dalkey in the early 20th century

The Dalkey Atmospheric station at Atmospheric Road (29 March 1844 to 12 April 1854)[13] was the terminus for the first commercial application of the atmospheric system of train propulsion.[14]

The railway line at Dalkey, looking north

The current Dalkey railway station was opened on 10 July 1854. The station is served by the DART electric rail system which affords quick access to and from Dublin City Centre. Clifftop views of Dalkey Island and Killiney Bay are afforded as the train emerges from a short tunnel just south of Dalkey Station.

An Aircoach service with a stop at Hyde Road links the area with Dublin Airport. Go-Ahead Ireland and Dublin Bus services 7D, 59 and 111 link the area with the nearby seaside town of Dún Laoghaire and the city centre.

Dalkey is the original hometown of two Irish writers: novelists Maeve Binchy and playwright Hugh Leonard. It is also the setting for Flann O'Brien's novel The Dalkey Archive. Several well-known Irish and international music figures — including U2 members Bono and The Edge, Enya, Chris de Burgh and Van Morrison — have also bought residences in the area. Film director Neil Jordan lives in the town.

Pat Kenny, former host of RTÉ's flagship chat show The Late Late Show, is a resident, as is the current host, Ryan Tubridy.

Singer Lisa Stansfield is a former resident.

George Bernard Shaw has a close association with the area. He lived in Torca Cottage on Dalkey Hill from 1866 to 1874.

Victoria Cross recipient Major William Leet was born in Dalkey.

Matt Damon, his wife and their three youngest daughters resided in Dalkey during the COVID-19 pandemic. Damon had arrived in Dalkey to shoot scenes in The Last Duel, a medieval drama directed by Ridley Scott, just before production on the film was suspended in mid-March.[15]

One of the patron saints of Dalkey is St. Begnet, a probable 7th century figure. A ruined church and a holy well on Dalkey Island are named for her, as is another ruined church near the town centre.

This putative elective monarchy is a tradition of the people of Dalkey.[16] The freemen of Dalkey inherited the right to elect this King through the boredom of young bloods in Dublin in 1787. They formed a club into which they roped wits, poets and thinkers. They summoned "Pimlico Parliament" - named after the Liberties, Dublin, and from an assembly room they hurled broadsides at the country's humbug and the pomposity of Dublin Castle and its hacks.

The full title is "King of Dalkey, Emperor of the Vikings, Prince of the Holy Island of Magee, Baron of Bulloch, Seigneur of Sandycove, Defender of the Faith and Respector of All Others, Elector of Lambay and Ireland's Eye, and Sovereign of the Most Illustrious Order of the Lobster and Periwinkle." During the years twenty knee-breeched courtiers in 18th century costume attended the King of Dalkey on Coronation Day. In later times the costumes were hired from a theatrical costumiers in Dublin.

More than 420 attended the regal procession, carnival and coronation on 20 August 1797 as Stephen Armitage (pawnbroker and printer) became "King Stephen the First, King of Dalkey". Then came the 1798 Rising and its ensuing political unrest, that interrupted this putative cultural monarchy. However, the tradition was revived in 1850, 1934,[17] in 1965 as part of a week-long festival, again in 1983, and still continues. The current King is the local sacristan, Finbarr Madden.[18]

Local tradition says that Hugh Dempsey was crowned "King of Dalkey" about 1780.[19] On the south side of the old church lies another stone which says: "This stone was erected by Mr. Murtagh Dempsey of the City of Dublin in Memory of his affectionate son Hugh Dempsey blockmake of said City who departed this Life April 7th 1790."

• Dalkey Island
• Dalkey Quarry
• List of towns and villages in Ireland
• Dalkey Atmospheric Railway

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dalkey.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Dalkey.

• "Dalkey" . Encyclopædia Britannica. 7 (11th ed.). 1911.
• Dalkey Community Council
• Local website
• Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre