Father Collins Park
Overview
Father Collins Park is a large modern park on the Hole in the Wall Road between Donaghmede and Clongriffin in north Dublin. When it reopened in 2009 after a major redevelopment, it was hailed as Ireland's first wholly sustainable park.
It has soccer pitches, a GAA pitch, a skatepark, a big children's playground and changing facilities, laid out around a central lake and a long promenade.
A sustainable park
The park was redesigned by the Argentinian landscape architects Abelleyro & Romero and reopened in May 2009. It is laid out around a central lake and a 360-metre promenade, which was originally lined with five wind turbines built to power the park's lighting, water features and buildings. Wetlands and reed beds clean the surface water, the sports pavilion has a green roof, and Irish stone such as Carlow limestone was used throughout.
Sport and play
Father Collins Park has soccer pitches and a GAA pitch with changing facilities, a skatepark and a large playground, so it is busy with families, teams and skaters. The paths around the lake are popular for a walk or a run.
History
The park is named after a local priest, Father Collins, who was instrumental in its development.
Opening hours
Like most Dublin City Council parks, Father Collins Park opens at 10am every day and closes around dusk, so closing time changes through the year:
- January and December: 5pm
- February and November: 5.30pm
- March: 6.30pm, then 7.30pm once the clocks go forward
- April and September: 8.30pm
- May and August: 9.30pm
- June and July: 10pm
- October: 7.30pm, then 6.30pm once the clocks go back
Parks with several gates may start closing up to half an hour before these times.
Getting there
The park is on the Hole in the Wall Road, Dublin 13, between Donaghmede and Clongriffin. Clongriffin DART station is about ten minutes' walk away, and Dublin Bus routes serve Clongriffin and Donaghmede. Donaghmede Park is a short trip south, and Belcamp Park and Darndale Park are a short drive west.
Good to know
- Free entry.
- Facilities: changing facilities, GAA pitch, playground, skate park, soccer pitch.
- Wheelchair accessible.
- Run by Dublin City Council Parks: call 01 222 5278 with questions about the park.
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