See the Wild Fallow Deer
About 600 fallow deer roam freely, descended from the original herd introduced in the 1660s. They're most often spotted in the western end of the Park. Keep at least 50m distance and never feed them — they are wild animals.
Phoenix Park
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About
Europe's largest enclosed city park — 1,752 acres of grassland, woodland, and history just 3 km from central Dublin, still home to a herd of wild fallow deer descended from the 1660s.
Things to Do
Visit the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre & Ashtown Castle
Free self-guiding exhibition on the Park's history and wildlife from 3500 BC to today. Next door, the fully restored 15th-century Ashtown Castle was hidden inside a Georgian mansion until 1978. Free guided tours run at 10:30am, 12pm, 1:30pm, 3pm and 4:30pm.
Explore the People's Gardens
A 22-acre Victorian showpiece opened in 1864, with a large ornamental lake, colourful bedding displays, picnic areas, and a children's playground. Open 8am to dusk daily.
Cycle the Park's 14 km of Trails
Phoenix Park Bikes rents hybrid bikes, e-bikes, tandems, kids' bikes and trailers from just inside Parkgate Street entrance. The park has 14 km of dedicated cycle paths — a safe, traffic-free way to cover the park's vast grounds. Phone: 087 379 9946.
Discover the Biodiversity Centre & Furry Glen
On the tranquil western side of the Park, this free centre (open 9:30am–5:50pm, Wed–Sun) sits beside the Glen Pond wetlands. Free guided tours at 10:30am, 12pm, 2pm and 3:30pm cover the park's rich wildlife — 50% of Ireland's mammal species and 40% of bird species are found here.
Tour Áras an Uachtaráin
The residence of the President of Ireland, originally built in 1751. Free guided tours run on Saturdays only — pick up a free ticket at the Visitor Centre on the day (no advance booking). Summer tours 10:15am–4pm; winter 10:30am–3:30pm. Closed 24–26 December.
Walk to the Wellington Testimonial & Papal Cross
The Wellington Testimonial, completed in 1861, is Europe's tallest obelisk at 62 metres, with bronze plaques cast from cannons captured at Waterloo. Nearby, the 116-foot steel Papal Cross marks where Pope John Paul II addressed 1.25 million people in 1979.
Plan Your Visit
- Hours: Park: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round. Main gates (Parkgate Street, Castleknock) open 24 hrs. Side gates open approx. 7am–10:45pm. Visitor Centre: 9:30am–6pm daily (closed Mon & Tue, January–April). Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden: 10am–4pm daily. People's Gardens: 8am–dusk. Biodiversity Centre: 9:30am–5:50pm, Wed–Sun.
- Admission: Free admission to the Park, Visitor Centre, Ashtown Castle, Áras an Uachtaráin tours, Biodiversity Centre, and People's Gardens. Dublin Zoo charges separate admission.
- Parking: Free car parks at Papal Cross (opens 8:30am), Lord's Walk near Dublin Zoo (9:45am), Visitor Centre (7:30am), Soccer Pavilions on Military Road (8:30am), Civil Service Cricket Club (9:45am), Phoenix Cricket Club (9:45am), Upper Glen Road (24 hrs), and inside Knockmaroon Gate (24 hrs). Most close one hour before dark. Additional on-street parking along North Road and Upper Furze Road. Do not leave valuables in cars — break-ins have been reported.
- Food: Phoenix Park Café (at Visitor Centre): opens 9:30am daily; Mar–Sep closes 5pm midweek/5:30pm weekends; Oct–Feb closes 4pm midweek/5pm weekends. Serves soups, sandwiches, hot dishes, cakes, and specialty coffees. Victorian Tea Rooms (Chesterfield Avenue, near Dublin Zoo): opens 9:30am daily; Apr–Oct closes 5:30pm; Nov–Mar closes 4:30pm. Coffee, tea, hot food, soups, cakes. Phone: 01 671 9376.
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