| Location | Dalkey, Dublin, Ireland (Google Maps) |
| Open for Visitors | Yes |
| Official Website | Dalkey Castle |
| Rooms Available | Yes (weddings, events, filming) |
History truly comes alive at the Dalkey Castle, located south of Dublin, where a group of living history actors welcomes visitors. This aspect makes this beautifully preserved Castle a sight to behold. Constructed in 1390, this castle offers an exploration of the early Christian Church, medieval Townhouse Castle, and a visitor experience that will remain in your memory forever. Read the article to know more about its history, things to do, what makes it a must-visit castle and more.
Dalkey Castle History
Dalkey, a small village around the Early Christian Church of St Bagnet, grew into prominence when large Anglo-Norman ships started off-loading goods here. Seven fortified Town House Castles were built from 1390 onwards to accommodate and provide for all the trade activity. While most other castles have either withered away or have been taken down, this castle still stands tall, exhibiting the glorious past of this lovely small town.
Since several expensive items were brought and stored in the this castle, it was well-fortified with battlements as displaced Gaelic clans constantly threatened it. Today, the Castle is one of Dublin’s most popular tourist spots as its single-street charm attracts many history and culture enthusiasts.
Dalkey Castle Inside
Even though the Castle is much smaller than many other European castles, it has all the elements of a prominent Irish Castle. It has Battlements, Arrow-looped windows, Garderobe, a Murder Hole and Machicolation. The Castle provides an exciting walkthrough of different historic phases – from Viking, Medieval, and Tudor to Victorian times. The Castle also houses a state-of-the-art Heritage Centre displaying information in 12 languages and a writer’s gallery displaying the works of 45 prominent Irish writers.
Dalkey Castle Interesting facts
Several interesting facts about the Castle make a visit here quite entertaining.
- This castle was once known as the Goat Castle. The name originated from its once owner – the Cheevers family. Chevre, in French, translates to the goat.
- It is one of the few castles where a group of actors from the Deilg Inish Theatre Company perform as inhabitants of the Castle, dressed in traditional clothes, displaying archery, cooking, etc.
- The Dalkey Castle has inspired several prominent authors like Samuel Beckett, George Bernard Shaw, James Joyce and Hugh Leonard.
- There are plenty of things to do around this castle, including a visit to Killiney Hill, Sorrento Park, and Dalkey Island.
Dalkey Castle Nearby Places to Stay
At Dalkey, you can find various accommodation options, including heritage hotels, castle hotels, hostels, and homestays. Places like Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Aberdeen Lodge, The Coliemore, etc., are good options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the Dalkey Castle?
The Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre runs the Castle and takes care of all the proceedings, including managing the visitors, providing information, etc. providing information, etc.
When was the Dalkey Castle built?
The Dalkey Castle was built in 1390 as part of the seven-castle development in Dalkey town, which was a hotspot of trade and commerce back then.
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Saurabh Sharma
Meet Saurabh Sharma, a tech pro with a master's from Latvia's Riga Technical University. He's great with computers, focusing on Cloud Computing and DevOps. But here's the cool part – Saurabh has traveled to places like Nordic, Baltic, and other parts of Europe. And guess what? He's into European history, monuments, castles, and museums. Whether he's coding or exploring, he's always curious, showing a love for different places and histories.
