Dalkey (Deilginis in Irish) is a town in southern County Dublin. 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.
The town is named after Dalkey Island, just offshore. The name is an adaptation from the Irish, Deilginis ("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.)
Dalkey is also the setting for many of Flann O'Brien's writings, notably The Dalkey Archive.
Dalkey Quarry is a disused granite quarry, stone from which was used in the 19th century to build Dún Laoghaire harbour, and is now a popular rock-climbing location within Killiney Hill Park.
See also
External links
