> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.irelandbylocals.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Review: Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre - URL: https://www.irelandbylocals.com/dublin-review-dalkey-castle-heritage-centre/ - Published: 2025-11-02T11:06:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-04-17T16:30:59.000Z - Author: Ireland by Locals - Tags: Dublin, Reviews Dalkey Castle is a 14th century castle located in Dalkey Village in Dublin. Guides and actors make this a Living History tour where they reenact characters from the era. [I lead a walking tour in Dalkey](https://www.irelandbylocals.com/dublin-dalkey-killiney-walking-tour/) and have walked past the castle countless times, so one Winter afternoon I went to visit it for myself. And I am glad that I did. It's a very entertaining hour in coastal Dublin. Highly recommended. Score 8/10 [Buy Dalkey Castle Tickets](https://viator.tpx.lu/mLxeH7Ox?ref=irelandbylocals.com) ## History of Dalkey Castle Dalkey was very important for ships coming to Dublin. Thanks to its deep water, they would dock here, unload their goods which would then be transported overland to Dublin 15 kilometers away. These were dangerous times, so they built 7 castles in Dalkey to store these goods. Only 2 remain. One is a ruin, the other is Dalkey Castle. ## The Tour Experience ### Entrance I walked into to the gift shop which serves as the entrance and was immediately met with a shout of my name! I didn't know anyone here, but it was from the extremely friendly lady at the ticket counter. She had seen the names on the tours and figured out that I was the solo male. We then did the very Irish thing of discuss my family name, you can often tell where someone is from by their surname, and of course she knew people I knew. A lovely welcoming start. ⚡ Taking photos drains your phone. I love the [INIU Portable charger](https://amzn.to/48k0M3I?ref=irelandbylocals.com). ### The Writers Gallery The tour starts in the Writers Gallery where you watch a 10 minutes video on the history of Dalkey that has some beautiful shots of the surrounding water. Dalkey is a very wealthy place, probably the richest in Ireland. On the walls are photos of its residents from over the years, Bono, The Edge, Van Morrison, Enya, Maeve Binchy, Eddie Irvine, George Bernard Shaw live/d in the Dalkey & Killiney area (where [my tour goes](https://www.irelandbylocals.com/dublin-dalkey-killiney-walking-tour/)). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4a/e7/4ae734df-56b6-4aa1-8dd1-dce3c399fce4/content/images/2026/04/Dalkey-Castle---4-of-8.jpg) ### The Barber The fun began with our first actor, the Barber! This gentleman was brilliant, he was fully in character and told us about life back in the 14th century. He interacted with our small group and got the kids laughing. Sometimes these reenactment type tours can be cringe, but all the actors at Dalkey Castle were excellent and got the visitors laughing. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4a/e7/4ae734df-56b6-4aa1-8dd1-dce3c399fce4/content/images/2026/04/Dalkey-Castle---5-of-8.jpg) ### St. Begnet’s Church ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4a/e7/4ae734df-56b6-4aa1-8dd1-dce3c399fce4/content/images/2026/04/Dalkey-Castle---2-of-2.jpg) We walked out to the ruins of St Begnet's Church. This dates from the 10th century. There we met the archer who explained the defensive mechanism of the castle. There's the Machiculation where archers could fire down at anyone trying to break in. Makes our Ring Doorbells seem a little weak. Above the front door is the Murder Hole where boiling water was poured on them. If they really didn't like you, they poured boiling pee on you! The acid in it really burns the skin. Apparently. ### The Graveyard The archer explained there are 2500 bodies in this tiny graveyard. You wonder where they all go until he points out that the graveyard is much higher than the street, yeah, they just piled them high! You learn something new every day and today I learned why there are yew trees in Irish graveyards, they keep the cattle away! The yew tree here is 250 years old. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4a/e7/4ae734df-56b6-4aa1-8dd1-dce3c399fce4/content/images/2026/04/Dalkey-Castle---6-of-8.jpg) ### The Castle Kitchen We were led up narrow stairs to the kitchen where the next reenactor was waiting for us. This was the cook. Another very funny experience as he told us about life in the castle. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4a/e7/4ae734df-56b6-4aa1-8dd1-dce3c399fce4/content/images/2026/04/Dalkey-Castle---7-of-8.jpg) 🇮🇪 Plan your perfect Ireland trip in a [one hour call with an Irish local.](https://www.irelandbylocals.com/services-irish-trip-planning/) ### Dalkey Castle Roof ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4a/e7/4ae734df-56b6-4aa1-8dd1-dce3c399fce4/content/images/2026/04/Dalkey-Castle---1-of-2-1.jpg) The archer led us up to the roof where we had views over all of Dalkey and out to the sea. I took a lot of photos up here with all the beautiful scenery. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4a/e7/4ae734df-56b6-4aa1-8dd1-dce3c399fce4/content/images/2026/04/Dalkey-Castle---8-of-8.jpg) ### The Museum ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4a/e7/4ae734df-56b6-4aa1-8dd1-dce3c399fce4/content/images/2026/04/Dalkey-Castle---3-of-8.jpg) The tour ended in the museum which was very educational. I learned a ton that I'm going to add to my own tour. There's been people in Dalkey for 5000 years. The Vikings lived on Dalkey Island. People went to live there to escape the Black Death. ### The Gift Shop You exit through the gift shop which is small, but well curated. I picked up a book on the history of Dalkey. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4a/e7/4ae734df-56b6-4aa1-8dd1-dce3c399fce4/content/images/2026/04/Dalkey-Castle---2-of-8.jpg) ### Tickets Since this is a guided tour, you can only visit at tour time. There are just a few tours each day & the group are a small size. so you should book ahead. [Check Dalkey Castle Tour Times](https://viator.tpx.lu/mLxeH7Ox?ref=irelandbylocals.com) ## Make A Day Of It The coast line of south Dublin is my favourite area of Dublin! There's a reason all the rich people live here. You'll see views that you won't believe. If you want see real Dublin, and not just the tourist places in the city centre, spend a day out here. It's so easy to get to on the light rail. Dalkey is just 30 minutes from town. Here is a fabulous day out. **10-12pm** Do my Vista walking tour [The Vista Tour in Killiney. Dublin’s Most Scenic WalkYou’ll want to move to Dublin after this walk. Dublin’s best views, 100 year old swim spots & foodie village. Far from tourist crowds.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Ireland By LocalsIreland by Locals![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4a/e7/4ae734df-56b6-4aa1-8dd1-dce3c399fce4/content/images/size/w1200/2025/09/IRL-Killiney-16.19.11.jpg)](https://www.irelandbylocals.com/dublin-dalkey-killiney-walking-tour/) **12-1pm** Do the Dalkey Castle tour **1pm-2pm** Lunch at Queens Next door to the castle is Queens. It opened in 1745\. Come in here for lunch or dinner after your tour. If you want a quick snack, I love Country Bake. **2-4pm** See this coastline from the water on the fabulous GOAT Boat. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4a/e7/4ae734df-56b6-4aa1-8dd1-dce3c399fce4/content/images/2026/04/IMG_7774.jpg) ## Read Next [The Best Dublin Museums Reviewed By A DublinerDublin is a 1000 year old city with history on every corner. I’m a Dubliner and here’s my personal reviews & tips for the best museums in Dublin.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Ireland By LocalsIreland by Locals![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4a/e7/4ae734df-56b6-4aa1-8dd1-dce3c399fce4/content/images/size/w1200/2025/06/IMG_8436.jpg)](https://www.irelandbylocals.com/the-best-dublin-museums/)