The Witches have taken over Dalkey Castle this Halloween!

Help the Archer to banish them to the hills!

Outside, you can pick your steps around a haunted graveyard and meet a real ghost, the ancient protector of the Castle.

Carry the Jack O’Lantern to ward off evil spirits. Stand in The Murder Room of the Castle, and dodge through the terrible things that descend through The Murder Hole.

Each Halloween, watch out for the ghostly Viking warriors, who captured slaves and imprisoned them on Dalkey Island. Pay the Viking taxes, or ‘you will pay through the nose’.

Make your own Viking coins to go into the Halloween Barm Brack.  Weave magic spells with the good witch around her cauldron and much more besides.

Dates: Monday 28^th October & Wednesday 30^th at 14.00, 15.00 & 16.00.

Thursday 31^st October at 11.00 & 12.00. (Closed Tuesday 29^th October).  

Tickets €8.95 per child. Accompanying Adults €6.95.

Book online www.dalkeycastle.com/book-tickets/ or telephone 01 2858366

ECHOES Maeve Binchy and Irish Writers festival is back from 4^th – 6^th October at Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre! Echoes is Ireland’s only literary weekend with Maeve Binchy at its heart. Featuring the best of Irish writing and writers, this year it celebrates community in contemporary writing in Ireland. On Friday 4^th Oct at 7.30pm, there will be a rare chance to see Maeve’s Aches and Pains adapted by Shay Linehan.

On Sat 5^th there is an exciting and diverse line-up of writers including Cathy Kelly, Jo Spain, Olivia O’Leary, Carlo Gebler, Hazel Gaynor, Chris Binchy, Róisín Ingle and Lynn Ruane. Deirdre O’Kane and Clelia Murphy will read from Maeve’s work. Festival topics include Ireland’s collective identity as an island nation, how real life is reflected in modern fiction, and the adventures of Irish writers abroad. Half and full day tickets from €30 at echoes.ie, with an early bird offer to September 15^th.

Directed by Margaret Dunne

Back by popular demand!

Saturday 21^st September at 7.30pm

Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre

In the centenary year of Countess Markievicz being appointed the first Minister for Labour in 1919, Dalkey Castle celebrates the anniversary with a stage adaptation of Martina Devlin’s story What Would the Countess Say? directed by Margaret Dunne.

The story appears in her latest collection Truth & Dare: Short Stories about Women Who Shaped Ireland.

The performance takes place at Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre on Saturday Sept 21^st at 7.30pm

There will be a post-show discussion with the author after the performance.

Tickets €17.50. Time 7.30pm. Booking at www.dalkeycastle.com/book

Tel credit card 01 285 8366

At Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre

Saturday 8^th, Sunday 9^th, Saturday 15^th, Sunday 16^th & Saturday 22^nd December

From 11.00am. Great Fun Family Day Out! No Queueing!

These unique Christmas Castle tours with Santa are specially devised for the children who are expecting Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. (Adults can join in the fun with the children).

The children will engage with Jingle who sings Christmas riddles while preparing the food for Santa and the reindeers. Jingle leads the children to the battlements to chant to the North Star that guides the reindeers around the world.

Twinkle, the Christmas Elf, joins in the show. Twinkle tells all the famous Christmas stories in a new and exciting way and helps when Santa’s suit gets shrunk by the elves who are now all sleeping in the Garderobe.  The big worry for Twinkle is whether the children can make the suit big enough to fit Santa again.

The highlight, needless to say, is the appearance of the celebrity himself- Santa Claus!

Santa’s ‘Ho Ho Ho’ has gone very faint. The children will help him to get it back. He has two long lists: nice and naughty. Only those who behave very well can be on his nice list. The children can help Santa waken the sleeping elves and help him with his 10 question quiz.

It’s all about activity and participation with this specially devised unique Dalkey Castle Christmas Tour with Santa! Book in advance No queuing necessary.

Tour times 11.00, 12.00, 14.00, 15.00 & 16.00.

Prices Children €9.50 (include age appropriate Goody Bag for children). Adults with children: €7.50 (Children must be accompanied by an adult).

Booking: Book online HERE

Credit Card by Tel 01 285 8366.  (Closed on Tuesdays).

At Reception every day except Tuesday.

Castle Christmas Tours is supported by DLRCo.Co.

Congratulations to the Cuala team, Manager, Backroom, Ultras and Supporters on their historic achievement in winning the All-Ireland Senior Clubs final in this, the centenary year of the club! No better way to celebrate the centenary! (1918-2018).

The Dalkey GAA Club, Cuala, will defend their 2017 title in the All-Ireland Club Senior Hurling Final on St Patrick’s Day,17th March. The throw-in is at 2.00 pm in Croke Park. Cuala play Na Piarsaigh of Limerick who were 2016 champions.
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin and is the fastest field sport in the world. The game has been played for 3,000 years. It is administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, whose headquarters are at www.crokepark.ie
The GAA is at the heart of every community in Ireland and there are no other sports in the world more intertwined with a country’s identity, history and culture. Cuala have made history.
If you really want to get under the skin of the Irish, a visit to Croke Park is a must. Join us there on 17th March 2018!

At Dalkey Creates (19^th -22^nd October) we believe that everyone is creative and has a story to tell.

This year, we have a terrific line-up of writing and publishing courses with facilitators including Man-Booker nominated Mike McCormack, and critically acclaimed film-maker Nick Kelly, to name but a few.

We are also introducing a range of creative courses – storytelling, acting, creating with flowers, photography and calligraphy – accessible to anyone looking to discover and explore their creativity in a fun and encouraging environment.

Day Tickets: €95 (including €15 Dalkey Dollars towards food and drink in local eateries)

Single Course Tickets: €45

Programme and Booking: www.dalkeycreates.com

Our Events programme includes Open Mic at Finnegans with legendary storyteller Al Finnegan, Writer in Residence Ferdia Mac Anna, as well as street dance, music and a magical bus tour.

The DCJr line-up is awash with colour and creativity. Come into town to see imaginative artwork, spooky street signs, beautiful wheelbarrow gardens and gorgeous dioramas.

So come and join us, and dip your toe in the creative waters at Dalkey Creates.

Congratulations to Dalkey Players – winner of the RTE All Ireland Drama Festival 2017.

There is another chance to see the winning entry on Saturday 20th May in the Mill Theatre in Dundrum. Don’t miss it.