About Phoenix Park

Phoenix Park is one of the largest city parks in Europe, in fact, it is 5 times bigger than Hyde Park in London city and twice the size of Central Park in New York city - two of the most famous city parks in the world.

It can be found 3km north west of Dublin city centre with the main entrance to the park on Parkgate Street (opposite Hueston Railway Station).

The park comprises of 1,760 acres of grassland and parkland which are divided by the many tree lined avenues that run through the park. The total circumference of the park is 16km so if you want to explore it all, it would take a few days!

Phoenix Park was at one time a Royal Hunting park with pheasants and deer so a wall was built around it to keep in the animals and in 1745 it was finally opened to the public.

Phoenix Park is one of Dublin's top attractions. It's a great place to head to if the weather is nice and you just want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a while.

The park is dotted with some noteworthy attractions. Probably one of the most significant features in the park is Aras an Uachtaráin which is the residence of the President of Ireland Mary McAleese and her family. It's located in the north east area of the park. You'll easily recognise the white building in the distance from the road as it is modelled on the White House.

Another must see attraction in the park is Dublin Zoo which covers 30 acres and showcases over 700 different species of animal and birds from all corners of the globe.

As you walk through the park you'll see the Papal Cross, which was built for Pope John Paul's visit to Ireland in 1979. Over one million people turned up in Phoenix Park to see the pope that year.

Another obvious monument in the park is the Wellington Monument. It's fairly hard to miss as it's one of the tallest obelisk monuments in Europe standing at 62 metres!

The Phoenix monument is a tall column at the centre of the park and at the top of it can be seen the Phoenix bird.

While in the park you could also visit the Phoenix Park Visitor Center which is located beside Ashtown Castle a fortified castle which has been restored.

The park also boasts soccer and football pitches, cricket and polo grounds and an area called the 'Furry Glen' which has a beautiful walkway around a lake.

Phoenix Park has also hosted many big concerts like Robbie Williams, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and U2.

How to get there

Entrance to the park is free so you should really put it on your itinerary when in Dublin.

By foot: If you're at O'Connell Bridge in the city centre, just head west along the quays until you come to Hueston Station where you'll see the entrance to the park opposite it. This walk is about 3km.

By car: Just take the N4 west from O'Connell Bridge until Hueston Station.

By bus: Take bus number 37, 38, 39 from Middle Abbey Street to Ashtown Gate.

Where to stay

If you want to stay near Phoenix Park then check into the Ashling Hotel which is located on Parkgate Street close to the main entrance to the park.

Other hotel within walking distance include The Clarence Hotel and the Aston Hotel.

The Travelodge Castleknock and the West County Hotel are also within easy reach of Phoenix Park.