Fitzpatrick Castle Holiday Homes is the perfect Dublin base, offering easy access to Dublin City and County, and the wonders of Wicklow …and with lots to do and see nearby…
Killiney Hill Park – Discover nature and spectacular scenery
Walk to Killiney Hill, near our Holiday Homes, where the native red squirrel has been re-introduced to its natural habitat. Both Killiney Hill and Dalkey Hill form part of Killiney Hill Park, a public park overlooking both Dalkey and Killiney villages.
Killiney Hill is a popular destination for walkers and hikers and provides spectacular views over the surrounding areas: Dublin to the northwest, the Irish Sea and the mountains of Wales (on a clear day) to the east and southeast, and Bray Head and the Wicklow Mountains to the south.
Stroll along the nature trails to the top of the hill. Watch out for The Wishing Stone and the Obelisk and see ‘The Witch’s Hat’.
Enjoy Killiney ‘Blue Flag’ Beach and stunning views
Killiney Beach is a long stony beach with stunning views of Bray Head, Dalkey Island and Sorrento Terrace. The beach is suitable for swimming and bathing and has facilities for disabled users. The beach is accessed from the car park via an A Grade walkway and ramps and handrails also exist at other areas.
Killiney Beach received the International Blue Flag award for 2016.
Dalkey Heritage Town
Dalkey is our Heritage Town and is just 5 minutes by car or taxi from our Holiday Homes, or an invigorating 20 minute walk! It has a rich history and boasts a 10th century church and two 16th century Norman castles right on the main street. From the town, it’s a short walk to the harbour, where you can take a boat trip to Dalkey Island. Its Heritage Centre (see below) is well worth a visit and the town it also wonderful and welcoming place to enjoy food and drink. Keep an eye out for famous locals. It’s not by accident that Bono, The Edge, Enya, Van Morrison and other celebrities all live nearby. They have great taste!
Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre
Visit and enjoy the nearby award-winning Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre. The Castle includes an early Christian Church & Graveyard, Heritage Centre and Writers’ Gallery, and there are guided tours throughout the day (excluding lunch time). If you like to get involved, their guides and actors will take you back in time to Tudor days with Barber Surgery, Archery and Cooking. If you are feeling energetic, you can climb to the battlements and take in magnificent views of sea and mountains. You can browse their interactive screens and immerse yourself in past stories. You can also explore the Writers’ Gallery and marvel at over forty writers and creative artists from Joyce and Beckett to Bono and Maeve Binchy. Open year round (except Tuesdays). Visit www.dalkeycastle.com
Dún Laoghaire – timeless seaside appeal
Brightly painted villas, palm trees and townland parks greet visitors to Dún Laoghaire, the elegant port town just 5km from Fitzpatrick Castle Holiday Homes (a 10 minute drive). It has been popular with holiday makers since Victorian times. Visit and breathe in the sea air and watch the world go by as you stroll along Dún Laoghaire’s mile-long East Pier Walk. You’ll pass the beautiful Victorian bandstand as fishing boats and yachts sail quietly in and out of the harbour.
While there, visit the National Maritime Museum of Ireland which houses an amazing wealth of Ireland’s maritime history, all housed a converted cathedral. You can also visit the James Joyce Tower and Museum – famous for its appearance in the opening scenes of the novel Ulysses – it offers wonderful panoramic views Dublin Bay. If you fancy a swim, head to the ’40 Foot’ – a scenic Dublin swimming area where locals have enjoyed a dip in the ocean for over 250 years. On Christmas Day each year swimmers brave the chilly waters, with television cameras there to witness their bravery!
Dún Laoghaire is also home to a host of quirky shops and boutiques and there some great places to eat too (see some of our suggestions on ‘Eats and Treats’),
Great Activities
If you want to enjoy activities during your stay, you have lots of options.
If you want to stay on land, there are nature walks in nearby Killiney Hill Park and well local walking tours. You can go golfing at Killiney Golf Club (a 9-hole parkland course) or play some great 18-hole courses in the wider Region. You can also go rock climbing, with all equipment supplied; or go paragliding.
If you want to take to the water, you can hire a boat and go sea-angling. Or, you can take a kayaking tour from Bullock Harbour with SeaKayaking.ie – it’s a unique way to see seals and other wildlife and to experience the historic Dalkey Island. You can also go on an exciting sailing adventure with GoSaililing.ie where you get to sail a 54-foot yacht and see Dublin from a completely different perspective. Scuba diving with dalkeyscubadivers.com is another exciting option. The area beyond Dalkey Island is teeming with sea life and several ship wrecks can be seen in the deep blue underwater.
Eat and be Merry!
One of the most remarked upon features of a stay in the area is the quality and range of food and drink options available. The area has lots of cafés, formal and casual restaurants and gastro-pubs to suit all tastes, special diets, personal food preferences and budgets. Expect to find lots of locally-sourced produce and, with the sea right beside us, expect to find just-caught fish on lots of menus! See ‘eats and treats’ for some suggestions.