If you're visiting Dublin and looking for a free, relaxed tourist spot to visit I'd highly…read morerecommend coming to Phoenix Park, one of the largest public parks in Ireland. We taxied up from city center to Phoenix Park and it wasn't too far. There are local bars and such not too far from the park if you need a snack or brew before hitting the park. We were told that this park sometimes hosts concerts and some major events, even that Obama had visited and spoke during one of his trips. The park is lush, spacious and with lots of nature to see. My favorite thing about this park is the free roaming deer that you can see. They are extremely friendly and gentle. It's so unique to get an experience like this to walk with deer and to have them be so comfortable that you can approach them and that there were so many. A beautiful place to spend an hour or two in nature and not far from Dublin City, worth checking out.

I didn't explore too much of Phoenix Park, just the end near the Wellington Monument. But what I…read moredid see is super. The park is one of the largest enclosed recreational spaces in any European capital city. 1700 acres, it's home to the Dublin Zoo, the Flower Gardens and more. Lots of walking paths. Lots of monuments including the Wellington. Lots of meadows and woodlands and landscaped spots. The park is peaceful even with the buses running along its main avenue. There are a number of benches and lots of space for laying out a blanket for a picnic. Well worth the time to explore. [Review 1986 of 2024 - 167 in Republic of Ireland - 23008 overall]

This beautiful park (known for remaining green throughout the year) is a great place to spend a day…read moreoutside without leaving central Dublin. It's been enjoyed by locals and visitors since 1880 when Arthur Edward Guinness re-opened it as a public park after it served as a private community for the wealthier residents of Dublin for more than century (Just like Merrion Square Park) The 22-acre park is a Dublin treasure and an oasis of calm away from the hustle and bustle of downtown city life. When weather permits, you should do as the locals do and stretch out on the grass for some rest and relaxation, or grab a picnic lunch. Immaculate flowerbeds fringe the lawns. The green space is also home to several monuments dedicated to some of Ireland's most important figures, including James Joyce and Arthur Edward Guinness. The park is located in St. Stephen's Green Square; the main entrance is through the Fusiliers' Arch, at the top of Grafton Street

This Victorian park is over 29 acres and has lush greens and florals as far as the eye can see…read more There's a lake and a play are for kids. There's even a garden for visually impaired folks. Lots of sculptures and monuments for James Joyce and others. The lake has a waterfall. Fantastic area to picnic, hang out with friends, and people watch.

Secluded, crescent-shaped park in Marino. The Bram Stoker Park is a continuation of Fairview Park…read more(across the road) and is named after the writer himself, who was born at No. 15 at The Crescent. One could be forgiven for thinking this is a private park for the residents of The Crescent - it certainly has that look about it, and unlike the busy Fairview Park, very rarely has many visitors. The park is surrounded by a high stone fence which nicely blocks out the noise of passing traffic, so this park is actually a bit of a sanctuary from the surrounding commuter craziness. Great place to take a book and chill out... who knows, you may get the park all to yourself?

I randomly found this little sister, to Fairview, of a park one day when I was looking around the…read morenew neighborhood that I had moved to. At the time I didn't know the name of it nor that Bram Stoker had even lived in Dublin, much less just 15 minutes from where I had set up camp myself. Very near the intersection of a few main roads and just across from the Clontarf Road DART Station, this "semi-private" little park is surrounded by a stone fence high enough to block out most of the noise from the constant traffic of cars, buses and trucks. If you're in the vicinity, come check it out.

Peaceful park in a beautiful neighborhood. This park was large, clean, and not very crowded on a…read moreSaturday morning in the middle of summer, on a gorgeous blue-sky day. Strolling through the park we found a cute little playground with some whimsical artwork/sculptures, like the giant sticking up out of the ground. We found Oscar Wilde's statue and the Jokers Chair. We continued on through the park, taking in the beautifully manicured lawns, watched as some workers set up for an event, and stopped to really appreciate the gardens and large oak trees. I couldn't believe how beautiful the wildflowers were, especially enjoying the hydrangeas that were more than I had ever seen in one place in the wild. Walking through the neighborhood, it felt safe and clean, as we walked from Merrion's square park to Fitzgerald park. We loved the architecture, the vine covered walls of the buildings, and of course all of the brightly painted doors.

Over the past year (completed in May or June 2014 I believe), Merrion Square Playground went…read morethrough a dramatic transformation into a new well planned and enjoyable playground for the children. It amazing looking at what it was and what it is now. I only wished they would have renovated this park much earlier. The only problem now is how crowded this playground has become! Children now have multiple towers to climb which all connect through rope bridges. The playground is made of smooth wood rather than the old cold steely metal and it is much more modern. Where this was probably the saddest playgrounds in need of repair, it is now the best I have visited in central Dublin.

Hellooooooo, Bushy Park!!…read more I really enjoy weekday runs here. On the weekends I like to get out of the city and go on longer runs or hikes, but hBonestly Bushy Park is great 7 days a week. There are all types of people attracted to the park: Families Solo runners/joggers/walkers Group runners/joggers/walkers Triathalon groups Bootcamps Youth lounging on the lawns Skaters/boarders/bikers Cyclists People who want fresh air There is a little bit of Bushy Park to go around for everyone! I like to run through the path with the creek and water, but also do interval training around the stairs and grassy hills. There is alot to be said about a park that's free that can provide exercise worthy of a gym! When I go for a run in the morning I find the the fellow park enthusiasts to be friendly, regulars, and welcoming. We have a common bond of getting up early and taking to the fresh air :) In the afternoon and evenings the park can be easier, and while still very friendly and welcoming, people are more in their own zone and we just make room and share space. The sunnier the day the busier!

Oh how I love Bushy Park! I am here every morning come rain or shine between 8 and 11am when I am…read moreallowed to have my dog off the leash! This park is great and offers a host of different areas. The woods is my favourite part, especially the ruinous shell house and the big over grown roots which i scramble up and down. Keep an eye out for badger and squirrel sets that are dotted around the woods too. The stake park was awesome but now there are no skaters only BMX users! Damn them for getting rid of the BMX park in Marley Park. But a few of use skaters can find some lips and rims free usually the hour before parks close when the BMX bandits go home to finish their homework. The stepping stones are great craic in the summer and a great place to picnic and cool off in the not so dirty water. But on of the best things to do at the river is to wait real still and keep your eyes out for the herons and kingfishers that can be spotted feeding off the minnows in the water. Total Bill Oddie experience.