Language Schools

Language School Programme runs throughout the year and is busiest in July and August. There is a Live Performance every hour for the pre-booked Language School Tours.

Once booked ‘The Medieval Experience’ can be tailored to the level of English understanding in the students. The performances and characters are drawn from the colourful characters of the Living History programme.

The mainly medieval characters play their parts and stay in character through thick and thin. The conceit is that the characters all work in Goat Castle (as Dalkey Castle was called then) in the Middle Ages. They vividly describe their chores and their daily lives. Their stories will enlighten and entertain you.

Memorable learning experience for language school students!

Rupert, The Archer guards the castle with his longbow and during his session he may show you his collections of arrow heads. Listen to the expressions in the Archer’s everyday language which are still in use today such as: Brace Yourself; Rule of Thumb; Keeping Tabs; The Butt (of a joke) A Bolt from the Blue; Picking a Quarrel and hear the origins the infamous two-fingered V-sign ….

The Medieval Cook prepares for the forthcoming feast but will fill you in on medieval life and times as s/he chops and peels and tastes. Medieval recipes sound similar to those of today with the exception of dressed swan or baked hedgehog! Fish from the surrounding seas was eaten several times per week. You may call on the day when s/he is due to have his/her annual bath!

The Barber Surgeon is anxious to do hair and beard trimming, amputations, blood lettings, tooth extractions and more! You will learn the origins of the Barber’s Pole and the various humours the body contains.

The Viking Coin Minter, Abandon your money worries as Sitric will show you how to mint your own coins. The story line is based on the hoard of Viking coins from the 900s found in Dalkey in the 1830s, now in the British Museum.

See also Schools Programme for more characters.

Translations of the Fortified Town house leaflet are available in Irish, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Dutch, Polish and Japanese.

Contact Dalkey Castle for more information on Language Schools