Dublin is a city that rains on you and then, ten minutes later, offers you a very pleasant park to dry off in.
Almost all of them are free. Here are the ones worth your time, from the city centre outwards.
City centre
St Stephen’s Green
The Green is the city’s front garden: a Victorian park with a lake, ducks, bridges, bandstand and more statues than any one park strictly needs. It was opened to the public by Lord Ardilaun, a Guinness, in 1880. St Stephen’s Green is also one of the best spots in the city for a lunchtime sandwich, if the ducks allow it. Check the closing time on the gate before you sit down.
The Iveagh Gardens
Dublin’s “secret garden”, hidden behind high walls a couple of minutes from the Green, behind the National Concert Hall. A sunken lawn, a rustic grotto and cascade, a maze, and almost no tourists. Bring a sandwich.
Merrion Square
A Georgian square with a park in the middle, surrounded by red-brick houses with famous doors. Oscar Wilde grew up at No. 1, and his reclining statue lounges on a rock in the corner of the park, looking as though he’s just said something cruel and is waiting for you to get it. The square is right beside the free National Gallery.
St Patrick’s Park
The small park beside St Patrick’s Cathedral, with a “Literary Parade” of plaques to Irish writers along one wall. A good place to sit before or after the cathedral.
The Garden of Remembrance
Not a park for picnics, but the quietest place on the north side of the centre. See our Garden of Remembrance guide.
The big ones
The Phoenix Park
One of the largest enclosed city parks in Europe. Wild deer, the President’s house, the Wellington Monument, the Papal Cross, Dublin Zoo and miles of paths. It will trick you into a 12km walk. Hire a bike near the main gate if you want to see more of it. The Phoenix Park Visitor Centre runs free tours of Áras an Uachtaráin and Ashtown Castle.
The National Botanic Gardens (Glasnevin)
Beautiful Victorian glasshouses, including the great curvilinear range, plus rock gardens, a river walk and a lot of trees older than the state. Free to enter. It’s right beside Glasnevin Cemetery, so do both. Dublin Bus routes 4, 9 and 83 stop nearby.
Southside suburbs
Herbert Park, Ballsbridge
An Edwardian park built on the site of a 1907 international exhibition, with a duck pond and tennis courts. A lovely walk from the city along the Grand Canal.
Marlay Park, Rathfarnham
Big, varied and family-friendly, with woodland walks, a walled garden at Marlay House and a playground. It’s where the Wicklow Way begins, and where big summer concerts are held.
Bushy Park, Terenure
A local favourite with a pond, woods along the River Dodder and a good playground.
Dodder Valley and Tymon Park
Long riverside and parkland walks across the south-west suburbs. These are for walkers and runners rather than visitors on a tight schedule.
The Irish National War Memorial Gardens, Islandbridge
Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in memory of the Irish soldiers who died in the First World War. Formal, peaceful, beautiful, beside the Liffey, and visited by almost nobody. Open from 8am on weekdays and 10am at weekends, closing at dusk.
Northside suburbs
Father Collins Park, Clongriffin
A modern park powered by its own wind turbines, with lakes and sports pitches. One for the locals.
St Anne’s Park, Raheny
A huge park on the old Guinness estate, with a famous rose garden, follies and woodland, and Bull Island across the road.
The gardens at Malahide Castle
The walled botanic garden and butterfly house at Malahide Castle were created by Lord Milo Talbot, a passionate plant collector. They’re ticketed.
Further out
For bigger gardens, Powerscourt in Wicklow is one of the finest in Europe. For wilder walks, see Howth and our guide to day trips from Dublin.
Tips
- Parks close at dusk, and the city-centre ones are locked. The closing time is usually on a sign by the gate.
- Bring a layer. The sun can disappear before you’ve finished your sandwich.
- Dublin Bikes and other bike-share schemes have stations near the main city parks. See getting around Dublin.
More in our guide to things to do in Dublin.