The Living History tour takes the form of a Live Performance. The actors 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 1500s and 1600s.
Find out what actress Aileen from the Living History Tour at Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre had to say about her work and interests...
What do you love most about your work?
I like that it’s unexpected every single day, you never know what you’re going to be hit with. You could be met with one person, 20 people, Italian students, special needs groups, retirement groups…every single day is completely different, so it’s quite a buzz!
What is the most exciting thing to ever happen to you in work?
Some times we get a few well known faces in here! We had a local celebrity’s children in several times. I had Imelda May in the barber’s surgeon chair and I was cutting off her legs!
Have you always been interested in acting?
Yes, my mum’s a drama teacher and my dad a writer. My mum gave classes when I was growing up so yes it was always something I was interested in.
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see play the lead role?
Cate Blanchett.
If you could be a historical character who would you be?
Well there are plenty of historical characters that I’d like to play, but a lot of their stories didn’t end up so well. I’d like to play one of Henry’s wives because we’re doing the whole Tudor thing here. I guess it would have to be the last wife!
What’s the strangest thing that has ever happened to you in work?
Strange things happen here nearly everyday, because some times you will find odd people come into a castle! Some times people just don’t quite understand what we do here. You’ll find you get the intellectuals and historians who might come in just to catch you out (or show off). You have to really be on your toes! Some times you’ll get somebody who will get really frustrated when the actors don’t break out of their characters, which can actually be quite funny. Especially with children when they start shouting.
What cheers you up when you are having a tough day in work?
We have a visitor’s book and seeing some great comments can really cheer you up if you’re feeling tired at the end of the day.
If you weren’t an actor what would you be?
I would probably be a scriptwriter, I script write on the side at the moment!