Dalkey is a coastal suburb and resort located 13km (8 miles) south-east of Dublin City Centre.
Brief History of Dalkey
Dalkey or Deilginis (Irish for Thorn Island) is named after its neighbouring island. It grew up as a Medieval port, and thrived as a seaside suburb from the 19th century onwards after the construction of the railway.
Famous People of Dalkey
Many notable people have lived and worked in Dalkey. John Dowland, the melancholy Elizabethan luthenist and composer, may have been born here. George Bernard Shaw lived in Torca Cottage on Dalkey Hill from 1866 to 1874. Today the writer Maeve Binchy, author of many women's novels lives on Sorrento Road. Neil Jordan, director of many popular films such as "The Crying Game", "Michael Collins", and "The End Of The Affair" lives on Sorrento Terrace. U2 band member "The Edge" (David Evans) lives a few doors down in Sorrento Cottage. World Class Formula One racing driver Eddie Irvine also lives on Sorrento Road, as does Van Morrison. Singer Lisa Stansfield lives in Mount Henry on Torca Road, near Dalkey Quarry. BBC presenter Gloria Hunniford, John Simpson, BBC correspondent, and Late Late Show presenter Pat Kenny all live near Bulloch Harbour.
Dalkey Today
Today Dalkey is a popular area for the bourgeois middle-class with house prices sky rocketing in the past five years. It is still possible to imagine it as a 19th century area because it is largely unspoiled, and seems to have avoided 20th century "modernisation". There are several interesting shops, which include two art galleries, a new and second-hand bookshop, and a delicatessen. There are also six pubs, 11 restaurants, 2 take-aways, 2 cafés, a wine shop, two off licences and 3 chemists. Why not go for
a walk through Dalkey Hill, a large wooded park off Dalkey Avenue; Sorrento Park; or Dillons Park on Coliemore road?
How to get to Dalkey
Dalkey is well served by bus and rail. The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) service stops in Dalkey in the train station on Railway Road. You can also reach Dalkey by taking the number 59 bus from Dun Laoghaire. Here you can stroll down Vico Road and see the spectacular views of Killiney Bay and Dalkey Island. It is a 30-40 minute walk to Dalkey village, but it is worth it.
Dalkey Websites and Links
Return to Towns and Areas of Dublin
Return to DublinTourist.com
Return to IrishTourist.com