Is this Italy or IRELAND?! 🇮🇪🇮🇹

Wait, this isn't the Amalfi Coast? You won't believe this Mediterranean mirage is actually in Dublin!

I explored Sorrento Park and Killiney Bay, a stunning stretch of Irish coastline that Victorian locals literally rebranded to look like the Bay of Naples. It even comes complete with its own "Mount Vesuvius" (The Great Sugarloaf)!

Back in the Victorian era, the wealthy locals of Dalkey were so obsessed with Italy that they completely rebranded their coastline. They noticed that the sweeping curve of Killiney Bay looked exactly like the Bay of Naples, and the distant Great Sugarloaf mountain was a dead ringer for Mount Vesuvius! 🌋 They leaned into the illusion so hard that they named the surrounding streets things like Vico Road, Capri, and Sorrento Terrace. The crazy part? The marketing stunt worked. Today, this cliffside is Ireland’s literal "Millionaire's Row," boasting some of the most expensive real estate in the country (with locals like Bono and Enya owning literal seaside castles here 🏰).

The Matt Damon Lore: This exact stretch of coastline is also where Matt Damon famously got stranded during the 2020 lockdown! He became a local legend when he was spotted heading down to the Vico Baths (the sea-swimming spot right below this park) carrying his swim gear in a reusable red SuperValu grocery bag. 🛍️🌊

Location & How to Find It

📍 Where: Sorrento Park, Dalkey, Co. Dublin.

Cost: 100% Free!

How to get there: Take the DART (train) southbound from Dublin City Centre and get off at the Dalkey station. From the village, it’s about a 15-minute scenic walk up the hill to the park.

Bonus: Sit on the left side of the DART carriage on your way down for the best coastal views! 🚆