A 22-acre Victorian oasis in the heart of Dublin, gifted to the city by Lord Ardilaun in 1880 — with an ornamental lake, 750 trees, 15 sculptures, and over 3.5km of accessible pathways.
The park retains its original 1880 Victorian layout with extensive tree and shrub planting, formal flowerbeds, and spectacular spring and summer bedding. The herbaceous border near the Leeson Street gate provides colour from early spring to late autumn. Don't miss the formal Lime Walk along the northern boundary.
The 3-acre man-made lake is the park's centrepiece, complete with a waterfall, Pulham rockwork, and an island. It's home to mallard ducks, swans, moorhens and other waterfowl. The Victorian lakeside shelter and Swiss shelters offer cover on rainy days.
This sensory garden features aromatic shrubs and herbs that can be handled, with all plant labels in Braille. It's one of the park's most thoughtful features, designed specifically for visitors with visual impairments.
Download the official free audio guide via the GuidiGO app (Apple & Android). Narrated by Jack Murphy, who first walked through the Fusiliers' Arch over 70 years ago, the one-hour tour covers 10 stops — from the Fusiliers' Arch to the lost statue of Lord Eglinton. Works offline after initial download.
Fifteen commemorative pieces are dotted throughout the park. Highlights include the Fusiliers' Arch (with bullet holes from the 1916 Easter Rising), the Lord Ardilaun statue, the Henry Moore sculpture in the Yeats Memorial Garden, the James Joyce bust, and the Famine Memorial by Edward Delaney.
The playground has separate areas for smaller and older children, with swings, slides, and a roundabout that are hugely popular with younger visitors.
Free lunchtime concerts are performed at the bandstand during the summer months — a beloved Dublin tradition. Check local listings for dates and times.
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