FAQs

How to Get Here

Please come by public transport (DART, Dublin Bus or taxi) where possible. 

The DART service stops in Dalkey at the train station on Railway Road. 

You can also take the number 59 bus from Dún Laoghaire,  the 111 bus from Brides Glen Luas or the 7d from Dublin City Centre.

Aircoach provides a service to and from Dublin airport to Ulverton Road, Dalkey.

Is there parking? 

There is limited parking in Dalkey and suggest you take public transport wherever possible. Car parks are marked on the map. 

NOTE – Park Rite Dalkey Church car park closes at midnight on Saturday night and does not reopen until Sunday afternoon.  No overnight parking is permitted on Saturday night. 

There is no parking at the Seafront venue in Dillons Park

Where are the venues?

Most of our venues are located in the heart of Dalkey town.  See the festival map for locations of each venue. 

• The Seafront venue is located in Dillon’s Park on Coliemore Road, approximately 20 minutes’ walk from the town.
• St. Patrick’s Church on Harbour Road  is located 10 minutes’ walk from the town centre.
• The Secret Garden is located on Sorrento Road, approximately 200 metres past Finnegan’s Pub.
• All other venues (the Tramyard, the Town Hall, the Heritage Centre, the Masonic Lodge, Finnegan’s, and the Vico) are located on, or adjacent to, Castle St (the main street), Dalkey.
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How long is each event? 

Each event is scheduled to last for one hour, unless otherwise stated.  Expect events to start at the time advertised. Please arrive in plenty of time to take your seat before the start time. 

Do you offer refunds? 

We do not process refunds or swap tickets.  Tickets are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.  See our Terms & Conditions for more details.

How do I donate? 

The Dalkey Book Festival relies on the generous support of our sponsors, partners and patrons.  We also gratefully welcome donations from those who may wish to support the festival. Donation here.

What is the history of the festival? 

The Dalkey Book Festival, now in its 13th year, showcases the best of Irish and international talent. Founded in 2010 by Sian Smyth and David McWilliams, Dalkey Book Festival celebrates and fosters literary talent in Ireland as well as hosting some of the world’s leading writers and thinkers.

The festival has established itself as a highlight of the Irish cultural calendar, partly because of the unique buzz only Dalkey can offer and the natural beauty of this heritage seaside town, and partly because of the wonderful talent we have attracted including Booker prize winners, global thought leaders, Oscar winners and Nobel Laureates.

From compelling conversations to live performances and debate, Dalkey Book Festival has fostered a community that ignites dialogue, facilitates conversation and programmes the unexpected – unusual combinations that have a strong editorial and curatorial twist.