History looks forward at Dalkey Castle

History looks forward at Dalkey Castle

This week, Cllr. Jim Gildea, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, joined Margaret Dunne, Manager of Dalkey Castle, along with Chair - Deirdre Black and board members, to celebrate the launch of a new five-year strategy for the popular Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre. The centre includes the 14th century Goat Castle, 10th century St. Begnet’s church and graveyard and the 19th century Dalkey Town Hall. Visitors enjoy award-winning living history tours, a writers’ gallery, and local guided walks. The centre also runs annual literary festivals as well as providing space for performances and community events.

At the launch, Cllr. Jim Gildea, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said:

“Dalkey Castle is at the heart of the community and creatively shares the history of the castle and area with visitors from near and far. As one of two surviving medieval fortified townhouses in Dalkey, right beside the beautiful historic St. Begnet’s church and graveyard, it is a very special place, and this new strategy puts it on a firm footing for the future.”

 

The event also marked the digitising of the St. Begnet’s graveyard Registry of Interments 1901-1911 by Georgina Sweetnam of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s Archives Section. Members of Dalkey Tidy Towns were in attendance to celebrate this new access to local historic documents. The Registry can be seen on the Digital Repository of Ireland at: repository.dri.ie/catalog/pc28qk881

Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre is open 6 days/week, opening at 10.00am on weekdays and 10.30am on weekends, closed on Tuesdays. The new five-year strategy, along with details of upcoming events, is available at www.dalkeycastle.com.