PHOENIX PARK

With an area of 707 hectares - twice Central Park in New York and five times Hyde Park in London - it is of course the largest park in Dublin and one of the largest in the old continent. When King Charles II expressed the need to hunt near Dublin, this site was chosen. Its name comes from the Gaelic fionn uisce (clear water) and it was opened to the public in 1745. A herd of 400 fallow deer has lived in the park since 1662. They were imported from Wales by the Duke of Ormond. At that time, the park was used as a hunting ground for the King of England. Today, the monarchs have left, but the deer have stayed!
More than 30% of the park is covered with trees: oaks, ashes, lime trees, beeches, sycamore maples and chestnut trees. Áras Uachtaráin, the President's residence since 1750, is located in the centre of the park, next to the American ambassador's house (1774). The Dublin Zoo is also located in the Phoenix Park. Two important monuments are erected there: the Phoenix Column, built in 1747, and the Wellington Monument, a 63 m high obelisk built in the 19th century by the Duke of Wellington.

The vastness of this park allows for all kinds of activities: walking, cycling or even driving, Segway tours, visits to the zoo or to the Visitor Center set up in the former Ashtown Castle (an exhibition devoted to the history of the park and its wildlife). Please note that major concerts are held there every year. Ask about the program.