Phoenix Park

Overview

The Park is home to the official residence of the President of Ireland, Áras an Uachtaráin (the "Irish White House" open on Saturdays), Farmleigh House (open for tours daily), the US Ambassador's residence, the Dublin Zoo (est. 1831) and the Victorian People's Flower Gardens (est. 1864).

Features to see include the Wellington Testimonial (obelisk, 1861), the Phoenix Monument (1747) and the Papal Cross (1979). Also contained in the park are polo, cricket and hurling grounds, cycling routes and walking routes. The Magazine Fort which dates to 1611 can be visited and offers nice views of the valley below.

Phoenix Park was originally formed as a royal hunting Park in the 1660s and opened to the public in 1747. A large herd of fallow deer still remain to this day and they are usually found in the Western part of the park.

An exhibition on the history and wildlife of the Phoenix Park is on display in the Visitor Centre. Adjoining the Visitor Centre is the fully restored Ashtown Castle, a medieval tower house that may date back to the 15th century.

Bicycles can be hired at the Parkgate St entrance.

The largest enclosed park in Europe has a unique quality in the fall.
When the trees begin to turn a vibrant shade of red, a calmness sets in. Sunbathers retreat to cozy pub couches and leaf peepers take crisp walks where the only sounds are the crunching of leaves under their feet.
Fall also heralds the beginning of rutting season, when fallow deer explore the park's fields in the light of the setting sun.
Retrench within one of the grand houses that line the park if the autumn air is too cool.

It was originally formed as a royal hunting Park in the 1660s and opened to the public in 1747. A large herd of fallow deer still remain to this day. The Park is also home to the Zoological Gardens, Áras an Uachtaráin, and Victorian flower gardens. The Phoenix Park is only a mile and a half from O’Connell Street. Both passive and active recreational pursuits may be viewed or pursued such as walking, running, polo, cricket, hurling, and many more. The Glen Pond is set in very scenic surrounds in the Furry Glen. There are many walks and cycle trails available to the public.

The Phoenix Park is open 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, all year round. The main gates of the Park at Parkgate Street and Castleknock Gate are open 24 hours. The side gates to the Park are open from approximately 7.00am until approximately 10.45pm.