Dalkey Book Festival Serves up a Full Day Out with Books, Bites and Beers

The Dalkey Book Festival is set to return this summer for its fifteenth year, bringing world-class writers and thinkers to audiences in the heritage seaside town whilst offering a fun day out for all. Nestled between the Irish sea and Killiney Hill, Dalkey not only offers a vibrant atmosphere for interesting conversations, but also a buzzing food and drink scene.

Whether you’re catching Seán Ronayne’s insightful chat about the healing power of nature at the seafront or a fiery evening debate around Trump’s trade wars in St. Patrick’s church, the day doesn’t stop there. Dalkey is bursting with food and beverage options, from pizzas and pints to seafood galore, there’s something for everyone.

During the festival, locally adored café Thyme Out is extending its opening hours and offering special picnic boxes, which are perfect for enjoying between events, along with a limited edition menu of literary themed treats and drinks. 

Meanwhile over at The Corner Note, Visit Portugal offers a lively and welcoming taste of Portuguese culture during the festival. With wine and food tastings, live music and poetry, visitors can taste classic petiscos, a crisp port tonic, or a great selection of wines from different regions.

Shoe Lane is the newest addition to the Dalkey Book Festival food scene. In its first year as part of the festivities, the family-run café will be offering a special festival drink and 25% off its retail range of coffee beans and brewing gear to anyone with a festival ticket. Known for its handcrafted interiors and sustainable ethos, Shoe Lane will also extend its hours to be part of the evening buzz in the village.

(Dishes from Jaipur and Benitos, Dalkey)

Restaurants throughout the town are also getting into the festival spirit. Jaipur, Dalkey’s Indian fine dining destination, will debut a prix fixe menu inspired by local literary heritage. This unique offering blends bold Indian flavours with a celebration of storytelling, making it the perfect dining experience for festival-goers. After years of welcoming authors and festival goers alike to unwind over a warm curry and a glass of wine, Jaipur has cemented its place as a celebration of Dalkey's vibrant culture.

With bookings filling out quickly throughout the festival weekend at Grapevine Wine Shop and Restaurant, the benefit of the festival for Dalkey does not go amiss. Welcoming many authors and celebrities over the years, subtly showcased by a framed poster of Charlie Mackesy and the restaurant’s team hanging on the staircase, Grapevine will continue to welcome people before and after events to indulge in a tasty bite and glass of red or white. The Club bar and restaurant meanwhile, is not only serving a full à la carte menu and extensive drinks list daily but it’s also supporting the festival through volunteer hospitality, showing their commitment to fuelling the energy of the weekend behind the scenes.

De Villes, with its relaxed bistro setting, French wines and classic fare, is the perfect place to gather over a meal and reflect on a day of ideas and conversation. Festival goers can also catch a delicious wood-fired pizza or fresh pasta at Benitos before or after Colum McCann and Paul Muldoon’s Father’s Day talk at Cuala at 4:30pm, where they can expect to receive warm welcome in a space that’s been serving the community for nearly two decades.

This year also marks the first time the festival will host events at Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, a grand and elegant venue perched above Dalkey in Killiney. With panoramic views over Dublin Bay and beyond, the family owned and run hotel adds a new dimension to the festival experience, combining delicious food and beverage options with talks from renowned figures such as Michael Lewis, Simon Kuper and Lionel Shriver.

Finnegans, one of Dalkey’s most iconic pubs with deep family roots and over 55 years of history, continues to be a cornerstone of the weekend’s festivities. Known for its authentic charm and a kitchen that draws in locals and visitors alike, the pub has played host to countless festival moments over the years from Maeve Binchy and Donal Ryan to Bono and Paul Muldoon. The Coliemore, a traditional Irish pub with an adjacent guesthouse, offers visitors the chance to turn a day trip into a full weekend stay, all within walking distance of the festival action.

Sian Smyth, Director and Co-Founder of the Dalkey Book Festival, said today, “Dalkey truly comes alive during the festival weekend and the festival is as much about soaking up the town as it is about the speakers. People come for the books and stay for the bites, whether it’s a morning coffee before a talk, a long lunch between events, or a pint as the sun sets”.

With these food and beverage options and more, Dalkey’s array of beautiful and unique restaurants, cafés and bars welcome visitors to enjoy a sweet treat or evening meal whilst catching a thought-provoking and insightful event during the four days of literary celebration.

David McWilliams, Co-Founder of the Dalkey Book Festival said, “The heartbeat of the festival can be felt in the hum of its cafés, the clink of glasses in its pubs, the aromas drifting from open kitchen doors, and the conversations that spill from tables onto cobbled streets. It’s in the handwritten menus, the festival-only cocktails, the familiar nods from locals who return year after year, which are all small reminders that the Dalkey Book Festival is more than just a programme; it’s a feeling, a rhythm, a reason to stay”.

For more information, please visit www.dalkeybookfestival.org/.

Slán go fóill.