Dalkey Island

Dalkey Island is a small island off the coast of Dalkey in County Dublin, Ireland, known for its archaeological remains and coastal views. The island contains the ruins of an early medieval church and a 19th-century Martello tower among other historic features.

The island’s visible features include the remnants of St Begnet’s church and burial sites that reflect early Christian and medieval use, together with the Martello tower built during the 19th century for coastal defence. Visitors commonly go ashore by private boat or organised small-boat tours from nearby harbours.

Historically the island was used for settlement and burial in the early medieval period and later as part of coastal defence systems in the Napoleonic era. Its archaeological record and coastal position have made it a recurrent point of local maritime activity.

Geographically it lies in Dublin Bay about 1 kilometre from the mainland at Dalkey, within County Dublin and approximately 13 kilometres south of central Dublin.

• Access and distance: Located about 1 kilometre off the Dalkey headland and roughly 13 kilometres south of Dublin city centre, it is commonly reached by private boat or local boat operators from Coliemore Harbour.
• Why visit: Home to archaeological remains spanning early Christian through medieval periods and small seabird colonies, making it of interest to both heritage visitors and naturalists.

What to See #

• St Begnet's Church ruins: Ruins of an early medieval Christian chapel and church remains dating from the medieval period, visible on the island and reflecting its historic religious use.
• Martello tower: A 19th-century Martello tower constructed for coastal defence that remains a prominent landmark on the island.