Best Green Spaces in Dublin City
Best places in Dublin City to enjoy nature
Is Dublin a green city? Yes, very much so! Did you know that Dublin’s largest park is also Europe’s largest urban public park. The city is blessed with beautiful green spaces to unwind and get back to nature. Cities can feel congested and overwhelming, especially when there’s noisy traffic all around you. Escape the madness and enjoy riverside walks, wide open meadows and birdsong all in the confines of Ireland’s capital. You might as well pack a picnic!
THE PHOENIX PARK
The Phoenix Park is not only the largest park in Dublin it’s also the largest urban public park of any capital city in Europe. Covering over 1700 acres, it’s home to beautiful wild deer that roam free within the boundaries of the park and our president lives in our very own ‘White House’. Jump on the Red Line Luas to Heuston Station and it’s a short walk to the Phoenix Park Tea rooms for a rest before exploring the whole park. It’s a lovely day out and can be combined with a visit to Farmleigh House and Estate, one of Dublin’s grand old historic houses.
ST. STEPHEN’S GREEN
Every day this city centre park is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. On sunny days, there’s plenty of space for people to enjoy a picnic or a bit of sunbathing on the lush grass lawns and you’ll often see workers from surrounding offices take their lunch break here. An old fashioned bandstand and lakeside pagoda hark back to its Victorian redesign and it is a beautiful retreat throughout the seasons. The ponds are filled with ducks and swans but the seagulls are starting to take over unfortunately. Don’t be tempted to feed the birds as it just attracts more gigantic gulls!
IVEAGH GARDENS
This secret little park is behind The National Concert Hall on Earlsfort Terrace and feels like a hidden oasis in the city. There’s a little children’s hedge maze, an old sun dial, a beautiful water feature and plenty of grassy areas to lay down a picnic blanket. During the summer months you can catch some outdoor concerts and excellent food festivals. One of the best concerts to go to here in the summer is a Damien Dempsey gig, a legendary Dublin singer/songwriter. It’s an experience not to be missed.
THE GRAND CANAL
This waterway is one of our favourite places to walk in Dublin. Anywhere along its banks is a pleasure to stroll and it’s particularly tranquil between Baggot Street Lower and Harold’s Cross. Lined with beautiful old trees and park benches, its easy to just keep walking and following it across the city. In fact, you can walk or cycle along it from Grand Canal Dock (at the mouth of the River Liffey) to Ireland’s largest river, the River Shannon, 117km away. It’s known as the Grand Canal Way and passes through stunning rural scenery. In Autumn the colours along its banks in Dublin are outstanding. We’ve often enjoyed a few take away drinks at sunset near Portobello Bridge after a lovely long walk. We haven’t tried it yet but it’s very popular for kayaking and gliding along on a SUP. A friend recommended portobelloadventure to us for renting a kayak on the canal. Let us know if you do!
THE ROYAL CANAL
Not to be outdone by the southside, Dublin’s northside has its own beautiful canal, The Royal Canal. Similarly it can be enjoyed as a long distance walk or cycle spanning 130km or just follow a short section in Dublin City for a little escape into nature. From Spencer Dock at the harp-shaped Samuel Beckett Bridge, follow it and pass under our national sport stadium, Croke Park, then you’ll pass some beautiful old canal locks and be mesmerised by the fast flowing waterfalls. Say hello to Brendan Behan, one of Ireland’s literary heroes (find more great Irish artists in Dublin over on this page), as you pass another couple of lovely locks. Walking is thirsty work so you might as well take a short detour to head into The Gravediggers in Glasnevin (one of Dublin’s’ best pubs). Turn right at the bridge on Phibsborough Road and follow Prospect Avenue for just over half a kilometer until you see the pub tucked away into the wall of Glasnevin Cemetery.
WAR MEMORIAL GARDENS, ISLANDBRIDGE
The Irish National War Memorial Gardens are part of a large park, situated on a peaceful stretch of the River Liffey and they’re dedicated to the Irish soldiers who fought and died in World War I. If you happen to visit Dublin during spring this park is a must visit to see the cherry trees bloom and in autumn the old oaks, beech and populars dazzle in red and gold. The sunken rose gardens are beautifully maintained and dazzle in summer sunlight. It’s an absolute pleasure to be in here any time of year and it’s location directly opposite the huge tree-filled Phoenix Park would make you think you were somewhere in the countryside. Bring a picnic and sit by the weir to admire the lovely Liffey as it flows into the city. It’s a great place to watch rowers train with plenty of clubs located along its banks. For a longer walk, follow the river west to Chapelizod, where you can head into the Phoenix Park through a small gate behind the houses on the main street.
MERRION SQUARE
Another centrally located garden, Merrion Square is bordered by some of the finest Georgian Buildings in Dublin. The neighbourhood was extremely fashionable when it was built in 1762 and the aristocracy made their home here. The park itself is small in comparison to Stephen’s Green but no less attractive. It’s home to Dublin City's only free year-round outdoor art exhibition which happens every Sunday between 10am and 5pm. Neil had a couple of photography exhibitions here and it’s a really lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Oscar Wilde’s statue on the north west corner is a popular spot for an instagram shot. If you’re having a museum day (some of our best museums are just off the square) it’s a lovely place to have a coffee break and breathe some fresh air. For kids there’s a cool little playground.
BLESSINGTON STREET BASIN
Only a few minute’s walk from the centre of Dublin, this former reservoir for the city was filled from Lough Owel in County Westmeath via the Royal Canal and it used to be the source of water for the Jameson Distillery (there must be magic in it!). It’s now a hidden oasis in the city centre and home to a fantastic array of birdlife. It’s very well maintained with benches for a nice relax and respite from the noise and hustle of the city. For local residents it’s like a private paradise tucked away behind the city streets. The gate-lodge built in 1811 still retains its Gothic charm. There’s an information panel at the entrance and gives a great insight into its history and a guide to the local birds.
ST. PATRICK’S PARK
With benches and plenty of grassy areas to chill out on and admire the stunning St. Patrick’s Cathedral beside it, St. Patrick’s Park is always a busy little spot. It plays host to the excellent Bram Stoker Festival every Halloween due to its Victorian Heritage and proximity to Marsh’s Library where Bram Stoker researched his famous novel Dracula. The Guinness Family redeveloped what was once a slum area between St. Patrick’s and Christchurch Cathedrals, in the late 19th and early 20th century, They established the Guinness Trust, later called the Iveagh Trust to provide homes for the poor and create public amenities like the park. The bulk of the buildings on the other side of the park are part of the Iveagh Trust. They are another sight to behold, built out of beautiful red brick with Dutch gables, providing a tangible sense of Dublin’s fantastic architectural history. Orla’s grandmother grew up in the Iveagh Trust buildings and told great stories of inner city life in the community.
DUBLIN CASTLE GARDENS
Gaining access to these gardens is a pleasure in itself as you walk through the stunning main entrance archway of Dublin Castle and cross the cobbled square to find this seemingly secret garden. Paths wind through four smaller gardens to private benches and works of art for a quiet moment away from the crowds. The main lawn in the middle is actually the site of the original ‘Dubh Linn’ (Black Pool) for which Dublin is named. This is where the first Vikings harboured their ships over 1000 years ago, starting a small settlement that has since flourished to become our capital city. This is probably one of our favourite places to have a picnic. It’s also home to the Chester Beatty Library, one of Dublin’s best free attractions.
Further outside the city centre there are of course more beautiful public parks, hiking areas, coastal walks and great places for swimming. Dublin really is the best of both worlds!
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