Quick answer: Dalkey is a small heritage town on the south side of Dublin Bay, about 33 minutes from Connolly on the DART. See Dalkey Castle on Castle Street, take the short boat to Dalkey Island from Coliemore Harbour, then walk the Vico Road up to the obelisk on Killiney Hill. Finish with dinner or a pint back in the village.
Dalkey packs a lot into a small space. The castle is on the main street, the island is a short boat ride out, and you can walk to the top of Killiney Hill from the station.
Getting to Dalkey
Take the DART south from Connolly, Tara Street, Pearse or Grand Canal Dock. Dalkey is about 33 minutes from Connolly, and it’s in Zone 1 of the Dublin City and Commuter fares. If you prefer the bus, the 7d runs from Mountjoy Square to Dalkey.
Killiney Hill Park is within walking distance of both Dalkey and Killiney DART stations, so you can walk out from one and get the train home from the other. Check our live train times or the TFI Live app on the day, and our guide to Dublin’s trains for tickets.
Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre
Dalkey Castle is a 14th-century castle on Castle Street. The visit is a living-history tour, with costumed actors telling the story of medieval Dalkey, and there’s a Writers’ Gallery on the writers tied to the area, including James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and Maeve Binchy. Book the Dalkey Castle Living History Tour on Dublin 360.
The castle also publishes the Dalkey Heritage Trails, a digital map with four routes: Castle Street, Bullock Harbour, Coliemore and the Vico coast, and the Quarry. Find them on the Dalkey Castle website.
Coliemore Harbour and Dalkey Island
Coliemore Harbour was the main deep-water port between 1200 and 1600, and it’s now a protected structure. It isn’t a designated bathing area, so don’t swim here.
From the harbour you look across to Dalkey Island, about 300 m offshore. It has the ruins of St Begnet’s Church, a Martello tower, wild goats and seals. Ken the Ferryman and Son run the crossing from Coliemore. It depends on the weather and the season, so check on the day.
You can also see the island from the water on the Dublin Bay Cruises Dún Laoghaire to Dalkey Island return trip, about an hour from Dún Laoghaire and back. If you’d rather paddle, Kayaking.ie runs kayak trips to see the seals.
The Vico Road and Killiney Hill
This is the classic Dalkey walk. From the DART, head along the Vico Road above the sea and climb to the obelisk on Killiney Hill. The view over Killiney Bay is often compared to the Bay of Naples.
Killiney Hill Park is open to everyone. It opened to the public in 1887 as Victoria Hill. In the park you’ll find the obelisk (known locally as the Witch’s Hat), a step pyramid, Dalkey Quarry, a playground and the Mister Magpie café. More on the council’s Killiney Hill Park page.
For a swim, use the Vico Baths, off the Vico Road.
Where to eat and drink in Dalkey
Most of these are on or just off Castle Street:
- Finnegan’s of Dalkey, 1 Sorrento Road. A family-run pub since 1970. finnegans.ie
- DeVille’s, 25 Castle Street. A French-style bistro. devilles.ie
- The Queens, 12 Castle Street. A restaurant on the main street.
- Grapevine, 26 Castle Street. A wine-led restaurant. onthegrapevine.ie
- The Guinea Pig, Railway Road. A seafood restaurant, open since 1957.
- J. Kavanagh’s, the pub you might know as The Dalkey Duck. It reopened under its new name, and some guides still list the old one.
- The Club, a traditional pub and restaurant. theclub.ie
- The King’s Inn, a pint-only local.
- Select Stores, for coffee and juices to take on the walk.
Up on the hill, the Mister Magpie Café in Killiney Hill Park is handy for a break.
How to spend a half day or a full day
For a half day, take the DART to Dalkey and walk Castle Street, visit the castle, then go down to Coliemore Harbour. Carry on past Sorrento Park and along the Vico Road, climb to the obelisk on Killiney Hill, and come down to Killiney DART station.
For a full day, start with the boat to Dalkey Island in the morning. Have lunch on Castle Street, do the hill in the afternoon, then come back to the village for dinner or a pint.
Dalkey also hosts two annual festivals: the Dalkey Book Festival in June and the Dalkey Lobster Festival in August. For more trips out of the city, see our day tours from Dublin, and our places to stay in Dublin if you’re still looking for a base.
Dalkey day trip FAQs
How do I get to Dalkey from Dublin city centre?
Take the DART south. Dalkey is about 33 minutes from Connolly, and it’s in Zone 1 of the Dublin City and Commuter fares. Bus 7d also runs from Mountjoy Square to Dalkey.
How do you get to Dalkey Island?
Ken the Ferryman and Son run a short boat crossing from Coliemore Harbour, weather permitting. The island is about 300 m offshore. Dublin Bay Cruises also runs a return trip to Dalkey Island from Dún Laoghaire.
Can you walk from Dalkey to Killiney Hill?
Yes. Walk from Dalkey DART station along the Vico Road and climb to the obelisk on Killiney Hill. You can come down to Killiney DART station afterwards, or walk back to Dalkey.
Can you swim in Dalkey?
Coliemore Harbour is not a designated bathing area. Swimmers use the Vico Baths, off the Vico Road.
What is there to do in Dalkey with kids?
The living-history tour at Dalkey Castle uses costumed actors, Killiney Hill Park has a playground, and the boat to Dalkey Island gives you a chance to spot seals and wild goats.
When are the Dalkey festivals?
The Dalkey Book Festival is held in June and the Dalkey Lobster Festival in August. Check the festival websites for each year’s dates.
Photos: Ian Paterson (CC BY-SA 2.0), Karlunun (CC0) and Denzillacey (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
