5 Beautiful Parks in Dublin to Spend Your Weekend
As soon as the first rays of sun hit Dublin, it feels like the entire population flocks to a local park to enjoy the warm weather while it lasts. We are lucky to have a selection of parks in the city and surrounding suburbs, most of which are beautifully maintained throughout the year. Accommodation in Dublin is often located in built-up areas in the city, meaning you need to seek out green space to enjoy. If you need to reconnect to nature, take a stroll around some of our favourite parks in Dublin:
Iveagh Gardens:
One of the real hidden gems in the city centre just happens to be close to our sister property PREMIER SUITES Leeson Street — your ideal serviced apartments in Dublin city centre. Iveagh Gardens is a well-maintained, colourful park that is popular with workers from the nearby office blocks enjoying lunch in the sun. These beautiful gardens were gifted to the city by the Guinness family in 1939 but have a history dating back over 300-years prior. The park is not only enjoyed by workers but passing tourists, locals and they often have events, concerts and festivals on over the summer months, one of the most notable being the annual Taste of Dublin festival.
Phoenix Park:
Looking at an aerial map of Dublin, you’ll see grey areas, industrial estates and heavily built-up areas, dotted with the odd green space. It’s impossible not to notice our biggest park just on the outskirts of the city centre, Phoenix Park — the largest enclosed public park in any capital city in Europe. It’s so much more than it’s rolling green fields however, there are so many things to do including the largest zoo in Ireland, the official Irish State Guest House, playgrounds, polo fields, cafes and Victorian Gardens to name but a few. It’s also home to the President of Ireland, whose predecessors have resided in Áras an Uachtaráin since the 1700s.
Stephens Green:
Another central park, one which is significant not only as an oasis of calm in the middle of a bustling city but has had a significant part to play in Dublin’s revolutionary years. The 22-acre park is maintained by the Office of Public Works meaning there are seasonal flowers and plants blooming all year round. The grounds are perfectly manicured, there are playgrounds and sculptures free for all to enjoy and the ornamental lake and waterfall are home to all manner of birds and waterfowl.
Cabinteely Park:
Cabinteely Park is definitely one for the birdwatchers with many and varied species of birds calling it home, including the rare spotted woodpecker. The park is peaceful due to its address outside Dublin City but close to PREMIER SUITES Sandyford. Cabinteely Park is also home to 13 head-shaped sculptures — collectively known as ‘Theatre’. Each represents either ‘Performers’ and ‘Audience’ and all are cast in Granite. The adventure playground attracts children of all ages and the Japanese style café is a great place to refresh and relax.
Marley Park:
Marley Park is a little closer to home and a little less manicured than its city centre counterparts, embracing the wilder side of Dublin. It’s most well known as a venue for festivals and concerts throughout the year but is also a gorgeous park enjoyed by locals and dog walkers. There are walking and running trails, a dog park, sports grounds, a historic stately home, walled gardens and a lake for everyone to enjoy free of charge. The park often hosts craft markets and gives local artists and producers to sell their wares on a regular basis. It’s just 10-minutes’ drive from PREMIER SUITES Sandyford and is ideal for an afternoon walk or an evening stroll.
Parks in Dublin are popular and vary in size but are all a great way to reconnect with nature. If you’re looking for accommodation for your next trip to Dublin, whether it’s business, leisure or a family trip, PREMIER SUITES has a lot to offer. Contact us today to learn more about our ideal locations, fantastic facilities and exclusive special offers when you book directly.
