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Dublin Parks and Dublin Gardens (Dublin, Ireland)



Dublin can really boast about its wide variety of parks, ranging from the largest to the smallest. You would never imagine that the city of Dublin would have so much green and open space throughout.

Most parts of Dublin have at least one park or square, whether it is just a small pool with surrounding trees or a huge park of almost 2,000 acres. Here are some of the most popular parks in Dublin that provide a calming and tranquil oasis, right in the heart of hectic city life.




Dublin Gardens: Phoenix Park - North Bank of the River Liffey, Dublin
This is the main parkland in Dublin and it is absolutely enormous. Covering 1,750 acres, Phoenix Park is more than twice the size of New York's vast central Park and almost five times bigger than London's Hyde Park. It is by no means your average city park and contains many stunning attractions.

Phoenix Park is also home to Dublin's very large zoo, which is the birthplace of the world famous MGM lion, known for roaring at the beginning of hundreds of films. The modern zoo currently has a very successful lion breeding programme in place, together with many other exhibits and large paddocks for giraffes, zebras, hippos and elephants, to name but a few. Situated in the north-west corner of the park is its visitors' centre and next door to this is Ashtown Castle, a four-storey 17th-century tower-house. The Aras an Uachtarain (The Irish White House) is located between the castle and the zoo. This huge house is the official residence of the Irish president and nearby are many sports pitches, lawns, gardens and lakes.

There is also a giant monument is the park which, at 63 metres / 205 feet tall, is the tallest obelisk in Europe. It commemorates the victories of Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, who was born in Dublin. All the major attractions within Phoenix Park can be reached by bus, or even by foot if you enjoy walking.

Dublin Gardens: St. Stephen's Green - Dublin, Ireland
Sir Arthur Guinness paid for this 27-acre / 10-hectare park to be laid out and planted in 1880 and it mostly remains in the same structure today, more than 100 years on. There are formal gardens, woodland areas, paths and a lake full of ducks, a popular attraction for children. There are also statues of James Joyce and W. B. Yeats, many benches set in peaceful, private areas, spectacular flower beds and nearby popular Grafton Street shops.

Dublin Gardens: Merrion Square - Dublin, Ireland
A perfect place to stop for a rest after spending time in the nearby National Gallery. With many benches providing quiet places to relax amongst hedges and manicured lawns, the square is surrounded by fine Georgian townhouses on three sides. Famous Dubliners W. B. Yeats, Sir William and Speranza Wilde (Oscar Wilde's parents) and Daniel O'Connell all resided in these houses at one time.

 
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