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festivals · Wednesday 5 August 2026 · Various 
Dalkey Festival 2026
At Dalkey Village · Dalkey, Dublin 14
At Dalkey Village · Dalkey, Dublin 14
Dalkey does summer well. For five days in early August the village turns itself over to music, street performance, art and food - the kind of community festival where you can wander between a traditional music session in a pub doorway, a pavement exhibition outside the castle, and a plate of something good from a street trader, all within a few minutes’ walk. It suits families, couples and anyone looking for a relaxed day out on the south Dublin coast rather than a ticketed arena event.
The festival runs across Dalkey village from 5 to 9 August, with events spread along Castle Street and the surrounding lanes. The format is deliberately informal - live music on outdoor stages, street performances that draw a crowd and then move on, art shows in local venues and the kind of food trading that makes good use of a coastal town’s larder. Expect local and visiting musicians, some family-friendly entertainment in the afternoons and a livelier atmosphere in the evenings. As with most Irish village festivals, the pubs are a natural extension of the programme; sessions can spill out onto the pavement and go where they go. Admission is free throughout, so there is no pressure to plan tightly - you can arrive, see what is happening and take it from there.
Dalkey is about 13 kilometres south of Dublin city centre, on the DART line. The DART from Pearse or Connolly takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes and drops you at Dalkey station, which is a short walk from Castle Street and the centre of the village. During a festival week the train is the easy option - parking in the village is limited at the best of times and tight on busy days. If you are driving from Dublin, take the N11 south and follow signs for Dalkey via Killiney or Glasthule. Some on-street parking exists on the approach roads, but allow time to find a spot.
Dalkey has its own castle (Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre), a small harbour at Coliemore, and Dalkey Island sitting just offshore - on a clear day you can spot it easily from the waterfront. The walk along the cliff path towards Killiney Hill is short and genuinely worth the effort. There is more to see in Dalkey and across Co. Dublin.
Heading to Dalkey Village in Dalkey? Dublin has plenty more to see. Read the Dalkey area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.
In town for Dalkey Village? These Dublin tours book out in summer.