Phoenix Park
Páirc an Fhionnuisce
One of Europe's largest urban parks at about 707 hectares, home to hundreds of wild fallow deer, the President's residence and Dublin Zoo.
Páirc an Fhionnuisce lies about 3 km northwest of the city center. Established as a royal deer park in 1662, it covers about 707 hectares, more than twice the size of New York's Central Park, and is one of the largest enclosed urban parks in any European capital. Some 500 to 600 fallow deer roam freely, most often seen on the grassland near the Papal Cross, where Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass for a million people in 1979. Please do not feed or approach them. Other highlights include the 62-metre Wellington Monument, one of Europe's tallest obelisks; Áras an Uachtaráin, the Irish president's residence, where free tickets can be collected on Saturdays for a visit; the US Ambassador's residence; Zú Bhaile Átha Cliath, founded in 1831; the Victorian People's Garden; and the Farmleigh estate. The park is large, so it is worth renting a bike near the Parkgate Street entrance or taking the Luas Red Line to Heuston and walking in. Free to enter.
Opening hours
Open all day (some roads closed to vehicles at night)
Nearby sights
- Kilmainham Gaol
- Dublin Zoo
- Irish Museum of Modern Art
- Guinness Storehouse
- Jameson Distillery Bow St.
- Glasnevin Cemetery
- Christ Church Cathedral
- St Patrick's Cathedral