Dalkey Quarry
Approaches
By Train It is possible to travel to Dalkey Quarry by bus but the train provides a much better service. The DART is Dublin’s suburban train service. From Dublin City Centre the DART can be taken south for 30 minutes to Dalkey Station, where a 10-minute walk leads up to the quarry.
By Car Approach via Dun Laoghaire Ferry Terminal, which is signposted from the city centre and on approach roads to the city. Follow these signs to Dun Laoghaire, past the Ferry Terminal and continue south along the coast road, following the signs for Dalkey. From Dalkey Village follow signs for Killiney up Dalkey Avenue to Killiney Hill Car Park signposted on the left. It is best not to leave any valuables in your car.
From the car park, follow a trail that drops down across the grass slopes in a northeast direction, past a picnic table. The trail then swings right through the trees and enters the quarry at the upper cliffs below White Wall.
Finding your way around
The quarry is divided into three sections. The Upper Cliffs form a series of buttresses just below the tower on top of the hill. East and West Valleys are at a lower level separated by a flat tapering plateau. A footpath leads down from the plateau to the Ardbrugh Road entrance to the quarry and gives access to the East and West Valleys.
Links to routes descriptions
Dalkey Hill
On the southeast side of Dalkey Hill there is a small slabby outcrop of natural weathered granite. The following routes climb the buttress. A must for connoisseurs of Dalkey rock and for those seeking a bit of adventure!!
UP A GUM TREE 22m D
L. Convery. 1.7.1980.
From the tower on Dalkey Hill descend to a broken monument surrounded by iron railings. The climb finishes 50m down the slope from here. Scramble to the foot of the buttress, below a mossy slab. Climb the slab to a short corner. Up this and step right into a shallow groove, continue directly up the slab above. Block belay.
POOHS CORNER 22m D
E. O?Connor, G. May. 1.5.2000.
The route for those who?ve done it all but still want more. Start as for Up a Gum Tree. From the short corner move right and climb a short arête. Then trace a path through the gorse bushes on the right side of the buttress finishing back left at the belay of Up a Gum Tree. You can now sell your rack, burn your guide and find some other way to waste your time.
