HeritageModerateHalf day
Dalkey Island
About 500m crossing from Coliemore Harbour · Low, uneven ground on the island elevation
← All things to do
About
An uninhabited island a few hundred metres off Coliemore Harbour, and the single best half-day in Dalkey. On it are the ruined early church of St Begnet, a Martello tower and gun battery built around 1804 against a Napoleonic invasion that never came, and a herd of feral goats that has lived there for generations. Seals haul out on the rocks and seabirds nest on the cliffs. There are no shops, no toilets and no shelter, so bring what you need. Boats run from Coliemore in the season, weather permitting.
Highlights
- ✓Martello tower and gun battery from around 1804
- ✓Ruined church of St Begnet
- ✓Resident herd of feral goats
- ✓Seals and nesting seabirds
Tips
- →Boats run from Coliemore Harbour roughly April to September, weather permitting
- →Ken the Ferryman is the long-running operator; about €10 per person return, WhatsApp ahead to check the boat is running
- →No facilities on the island; bring water, sun cover and a jacket
- →An easterly wind is what cancels the crossing
Best Season
SpringSummerAutumn
