In the park you will find a mosaic to the local musician John
Dowland (1563 – 1626). Local lore suggests that he was a musician
at the court of Queen Elizabeth I; however other sources suggest
that this isnt true. Dowland is said to have blamed his Catholic
religion for not getting a position at Elizabeths court. Instead he
found employment at the court of Christian IV of Denmark. Later he
returned to England and was appointed one of King James I lutes. He
performed at the Kings funeral and died the following year.
Dowland was also a friend of William Shakespeare. It’s said that
Dowlands descriptions of the Dalkey coastline inspired the setting
for Elsinore in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Perhaps Shakepeare got the
idea for the Kings ghost from Dowland too… Perhaps the ghost that
inspired the ghost of Hamlets Father still lurkes around Sorrento
Park… doom’d for a certain term to walk the night;
And, for the day, confin’d to fast in fires;
Till the foul crimes, done in my days of nature,
Are burnt and purg’d away. But that I am forbid
To tell the secrets of my cache…
The area offers spectacular views of the coastline and Dalkey
island, but I thought I’d show you some night time images instead!
Please upload some daytime images with your log. Public transport
is available to Dalkey via the DART train service. There are plenty of
refreshments available in the town.
Shhhh! What was that noise? Behind the bandstand. A noise. Look,
my lord, it comes! Angels and ministers of grace, defend us!
Is féidir leat eolas breise a fháil nó caidéisí a
dhéanamh ar -
