Phoenix Park

Managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in Ireland Phoenix Park was at the beginning of its existence in the 1660’s as a royal hunting Park .The public was only allowed access to the Phoenix Park in 1747. From that time a very large herd of fallow deer can be observed grazing in Phoenix Park to this day. So large is the herd that the OPW has to carry out regular culls to control it.

Phoenix Park is also home to a large number of attractions;

• The Zoological Gardens. Dublin Zoo started in 1831. By 1840, the Zoo had grown to 40 or so animals and 70 or so birds mainly sent over by London Zoo and the management took the bold decision to let, for a penny, the public in on a Sunday.  Since then the Zoo has been one of Dublin’s big attractions with well over a million visitors on a huge site.
• Áras an Uachtaráin. Originally occupied by British Lord Lieutenants and Governor Generals of Ireland as their official residence in Ireland the Aras now houses as their official residence all the Presidents of Ireland since Dr Douglas Hyde in the 1930’s
• Victorian flower gardens. Started in 1840 and subsequently walled and enclosed in 1864 they shine as a beacon in Dublin to Victorian horticulture. In the Victorian flower garden there is a lake and a purposeful children’s play ground.

Phoenix Park is is very centrally placed in Dublin as it is only two kilometers from O’Connell Street and is easily accessible by public transport and not many people know that there is a railway tunnel underneath Phoenix Park linking Heuston Station with Connolly Station.

Sport in Phoenix Park

Whether your Sport is either a Team Sport or an Individual Sport there is plenty to keep you fully occupied in Phoenix Park. From motor racing and cycling, to polo, cricket, soccer and hurling, the amount of space available allows not only a broad range of sports to be played and performed but with little stress and proper safety.

On Blooms day and for sometime after Phoenix Park hosts an outstanding garden festival which attracts professional and amateurs a like from Ireland and abroad to see the magnificence of Irish horticulture.

Glen Pond should not be missed as it is placed in the very beautiful scenery of the Furry Glen. There are so many walks and bicycle paths to try you will not get bored.

More information on St Patrick’s Cathedral

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