Heritage Week

LUXURY EXPERIENCES
Viking coin minter at Dalkey Castle heritage week events, Dublin, Ireland
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3rd week of August annually

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Heritage Week

National Heritage Week is part of European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union in which over forty countries participate each year. The main aim of European Heritage Days are to promote awareness of our built, natural and cultural heritage and to promote Europe’s common cultural heritage. Every year millions of Europeans visit historical monuments and sites throughout Europe on European Heritage Days.

In Ireland we celebrate European Heritage Days with a full week of events throughout National Heritage Week.

National Heritage Week celebrates Ireland’s cultural, built & natural heritage. It brings together volunteers, community groups and heritage enthusiasts to share their experience, knowledge culture and practices.”

This year we will celebrate the theme of “Connections, Routes & Networks”.

Dalkey’s modern day easy accessibility by public transport & older connections with the tramyard and Atmospheric Railway make it an exemplar.

Dalkey is an Irish Heritage Town. At Dalkey Castle, Living History actors from Deilg Inis bring the ancient history to colourful life with archery, barber surgery and a masterclass by cook on circular economy in medieval times, as part of every tour.

Two free living history tours for Heritage Week are available each year (booked out for 2024).

Free Heritage Week Talks:

Monday 19th August 2024, 19.30pm: The Earliest Railways of Dalkey & Killiney – A Talk by Michael McShane

The Kingstown-Dalkey Atmospheric Railway was the earliest railway connection to Dalkey and officially opened on 29th March 1844. It was another ten years before the line was extended to Killiney and beyond.
This talk by Michael McShane, chair of Killiney Historical Society, sets out the background to the arrival of the railway and the interesting history of its evolution dating back to the opening of the Dublin and Kingstown Railway in 1834.
Thursday 22nd August 2024, 19.30pm: The Granite Coast – A talk by Peter Pearson

Peter Pearson’s recent book, The Granite Coast,  traces the social, historical and architectural development of Dún Laoghaire, Sandycove and Dalkey from a stretch of granite coastline with a small fishing village up to the present day.

Built of Dalkey granite, beginning in 1816,  Dún Laoghaire Harbour is one of the most attractive artificial harbours in the world.

Peter also examines the social dimension, from settlements with evocative names like Sorrento and Vico, to the slum alleys of Kingstown and the first council housing.

This Talk will be a fascinating journey through the history and heritage of our area.

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map of ireland with dalkey location as map marker

Directions & Transport

Dalkey is on some of the most stunning coastline, with a mountainous backdrop, just south of Dublin City Centre, en route to Co. Wicklow.

Aside from by car, the quickest way to reach the Castle is by DART. The DART journey is a relaxing experience travelling along the beautiful coastline with magnificent sea views. Dalkey is approx. 30 minutes from Dublin's Connolly, Tara or Pearse stations (travelling south). Turn right on exiting Dalkey train station.

Dalkey is on the Aircoach route to/from Dublin Airport. From Dublin City Centre, a number of local bus options are also available. Paid parking and coach parking are available nearby.

Dalkey Castle postcode for Google Maps is A96 DE61.

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Actor on Living History Tour, Dalkey Castle, Dublin, Ireland

Opening Times

We are open six days a week, all year round.
Closed every Tuesday.

January - May & September - December

Monday to Friday: 10.00 - 17.30
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays: 11.00 - 17.30

June, July & August

Monday to Friday: 10.00 - 18.00
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays: 11.00 - 18.00

Tickets & Info

Tickets for Living History Tour encompass fully guided tour of 14th Century Townhouse Castle, 10th Century Early Christian Church & Graveyard, Modern Writers' Gallery & Heritage Centre with interactive screens & scale models. Dalkey Castle, where costumed actors bring history to life.

ADULTS €16

SENIOR / STUDENT €15

CHILD (4-12 YEARS) €10.50

*Booking Fees apply

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