Dalkey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Dalkey Deilginis |
||
| Location | ||
|
||
|
WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
|
||
|---|---|---|
| Statistics | ||
| Province: | Leinster | |
| County: | Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County | |
| Population (2006) | 8,405 | |
.jpg/180px-Dalkey_Castles_(Co._Dublin).jpg)
Dalkey (Irish: Deilginis, meaning Thorn Island) is a village located in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County, Ireland. It was originally founded as a Viking settlement and became an important port during the Middle Ages. According to John Clyn, it was one of the points through which the plague entered Ireland in the mid-14th century. In modern times, Dalkey has become a prosperous seaside suburb and a minor tourist attraction.
Contents |
[edit] Etymology
The town is named after Dalkey Island, just offshore. The name is an adaptation from the Irish, Deilginis, meaning Thorn Island. Vikings added their own word for island, øy, to the first syllable of the native name. (The same "-ey" suffix is present in other Irish place names, too.)
[edit] Local amenities
[edit] Quarry
Dalkey Quarry is a disused granite quarry, stone from which was used during the 19th century to build Dún Laoghaire harbour, and is now a popular rock climbing location within Killiney Hill Park. During the construction of the harbour, the quarry was connected to Dún Laoghaire via a metal tramway known as 'The Metals', which are still visible in some parts of Dalkey.
[edit] Harbours
There are several small harbours on the coast of Dalkey. Bulloch Harbour is the biggest in size; it is situated towards the northern entrance of the town, and is a declared seal sanctuary. Coliemore Harbour is much smaller, and is situated in the midsouthern part of the town. It was previously the principal harbour of Dublin City. These harbours are used by tourists to hire boats for nearby fishing, and for getting to Dalkey Island.
[edit] Sports
Cuala CLG, a prominent Gaelic Athletic Association sports club, and Dalkey United, an association football club, are both based at Hyde Park. Early in his soccer career, Paul McGrath played for Dalkey United. In the 1940s, the town produced another footballer of note, Peter Farrell. Recently it has set up an athletics club, the Dalkey Dashers.
[edit] Education
There are four schools in Dalkey. Loreto Primary School caters for boys from junior infants through first class, and for girls from junior infants through sixth class. Loreto Abbey Secondary School caters for girls from first year through sixth year. Harold Boys' National School caters for boys from second class through sixth class, and Saint Patrick's National School caters for boys and girls from junior infants through sixth class.
[edit] Transport
The Dalkey Atmospheric station at Atmospheric Road (29 March, 1844 to 12 April, 1854)[1] was the terminus for the first commercial application of the atmospheric system of train propulsion.[2]
The current Dalkey railway station was opened on 10 July, 1854. The station is served by the DART, which passes through a tunnel south of Dalkey, emerging on a cliff giving spectacular views over Killiney Bay.
[edit] People
Dalkey is the original home town of two well-known Irish writers, novelist Maeve Binchy and playwright Hugh Leonard. It is also the setting for many of Flann O'Brien's writings, notably The Dalkey Archive. In recent years, Dalkey has developed a reputation as Dublin's Beverly Hills, when several well-known Irish and international figures bought property there during the 1990s, such as Meg Murphy; U2 members Bono and The Edge; Enya, the reclusive Celtic music artist; and musicians Chris de Burgh and Van Morrison. Film director Neil Jordan also lives in the town, while Formula One drivers Damon Hill and Eddie Irvine used to live in Dalkey.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Dalkey station. Railscot - Irish Railways. Retrieved on 2007-08-31.
- ^ Industrial Heritage Ireland
