One of the must see free gardens and parks in Dublin. We met our tour guide here as he deemed it…read morethe "staple of the city center" and talked about the significance of the Garden of Remembrance. If you've taken any time to study Irish history - you'll know the Irish fought for their land and freedoms for centuries and often times, they were not the victors. In the few years spent traveling to Ireland you'll hear a lot of the Irish people's plight for freedom and it was never an easy battle. Essentially this garden of remembrance signifies the Irish people and their contributions towards fighting for their freedoms. What I found interesting is that Our tour guide called himself a "blue blood" which in simpler terms he referred to him being a true Dublin local and that these garden means a lot to his people and those working in the city. He taught us a lot about the grounds, the fountains and statues. We toured the grounds with him and they were very nice and well kept. While looking over the fountain statues we were introduced to one of the groundskeepers as well. As lovely as it is it's also a somber place. We were told the story of what the children and swan statue represents, an Irish folklore. All interesting stuff and while the garden is free, I'd highly recommend hiring a local guide as there is so much we wouldn't have learned had we not had someone to tell us the history and stories of what we were looking at on the grounds.

Just like so many other memorials and tributes, this one is dedicated to victims of battle-people…read morefighting for their rights and freedom. No matter the culture, this seems to be a prevailing characteristic of humanity-we like to fight each other. It's a lovely little garden with a water feature in the center. There's a large sculpture at the end which depicts four children who were transformed into swans and will turn back into humans after 900 years, according to the legend of the Children of Lir.

This is the type of place you see spring up in New York, where a load of amazing and quirky and…read morecreative people get off their amazing and quirky and creative asses and do something amazing and quirky and creative. Nestled away just off Queen St and Benburb St, with buildings all around, and the Luas running right next to it, is the Art Tunnel Smithfield. A 70m long narrow strip of garden slash art gallery slash park slash community area. It's truly amazing what's been done here in I believe about 10 months. A narrow, derelict site has been changed into something truly wonderful for the community to own and be part of and use to enrich their lives. The space is divided into a few sections - 1) A wild section out the back that hasn't been leveled or 'done' in anyway - just allowed to grow and be a home for local flora and fauna 2) A community art section that will soon be encased by gorgeous creepers, making it feel nearly like a secret garden art gallery. Any member of the community can ask to put something up here - at the moment it's full of small canvasses made by eight year olds, and they are fab! 3) A small seating area where you can sit with your book, or chat to others who are using the space 4) A curated arts section for more large scale pieces by emerging artists. You will need to come down to really see what these wonderful pieces are about This is all housed amongst flowers and greenery not normally seen in areas like this. Anyone can become a key holder - just contact the guys through the Facebook page, or get down there yourself and have a chat. I'm delighted I've found it and will certainly be making the most of it!

Stumbled across this place the other day on my way somewhere else…read more It's like finding a Narnia-like garden in the middle of the city. It is there for any local residents to use. You can go in and garden, create art, or just admire what's already there. This is the type of place that makes Dublin the unique city it is.

On this Monday morning I found myself at this park... Small…read moreand simple; a few park benches and a playground. Sweet

This is one of Dublin's 5 Georgian Squares....however this is one of the smaller ones. The park has…read moreso many facilities that will keep little people entertained for hours, with a newish playground that is separated in to baby area and kiddy area! An enclosed basketball court/football area is always busy and they even have a permanent table tennis table!! The grassy area is small with flowers with a sundial in the centre!!

Enclosed behind Dublin Castle, the Dubh Linn garden looks like a formal piece of landscaping. Prior…read moreto its creation (primarily to serve as a helipad site), in medieval times, the site itself was a tidal pool that sat at the rear of the Dublin Castle before the waters flowed into the River Liffey. The central lawn is circular, circular grassy garden with a brick Celtic knot pattern with smaller gardens in the corners. One of the gardens is a memorial dedicated to the local Garda, with the names of all Gardai (Irish Police) killed in the line of duty being inscribed on a roll of honor. Protected by the stunning Chester Beatty Library and the Dublin Castle, is also home to three memorial gardens. Tucked into the corners of the space, memorials to the investigative journalist Veronica Guerin, the 2003 Special Olympics volunteers feature specially commissioned sculptures. Dubh Linn, or "black (dark) pool" referred to the dark tidal pool and evolved into the city's name as we know it today. The gardens are fairly new, being completed in 1996.

Large green space surrounded by the Dublin Castle and other buildings. It's kind of sparse, maybe…read morenot something you'll go out of your way for, but if you're in the area, it's a nice place to take a stroll.

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.

Adjoining St. Patrick's Cathedral, St Patrick's Park is believed to be the site of baptism of the…read morefirst Irish Christians by St. Patrick, who used water from the River Poddle which now flows underground. On the outside of the world famous cathedral, lays a very elegant park. One that might get over looked if you not careful. The St. Patrick's Park has a charm that is hard to match. A sense of peace mixed with a classic atmosphere. When you first come into the park, it's hard not to get distracted by the cathedral being on the right hand side of the entrance. there is a Liberty Bell, by Vivienne Roche occupies a prominent spot in the park. The history of this park is very interesting. It is believed that this is the site where St. Patrick baptized the first Irish Christians. So, it's the place where Christianity was believed to have started in Ireland.

This park is nicely situated directly behind st. Patrick's cathedral in the heart of Dublin. It's…read morenot a massive park, but does have a green lawn and some Nicely tended gardens. I was there on one of the hottest days of the year and lots of people were sitting outside. There's also a cafe there too. Some beautiful views of the cathedral from the far end of the garden.

Carrying on from Ellen O's lunch theme in the talk threads, I was inspired to write this review…read more Ellen is looking for healthy packed lunch suggestions and I am looking for cheaper dining suggestions! I don't know about you lads but the cost of living in this country coupled with additional salary taxes makes budgeting a monthly juggling act. To counter it instead of buying my lunch, I make my lunch and I try to go here to eat it if the weather is permitting. I love the safe atmosphere of the spot. Nestled behind the fruit and flower markets. A modern playground very well maintained with benches scattered around. I get a kick out of seeing the diverse nationalities with their kids and the range of languages. Dublin 7 can be fairly dodgy in areas in no small park to the junkies but this is a safe oasis. You ever see a Mammy turn into a tiger if her kid is in danger? Yeah so I always feel safe here and it has a lovely innocent, happy colourful vibe in an area that always seems grey.

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.

Less than ten minutes' walk from O'Connell Street, but it might as well be in another dimension;…read morethis feels nothing like Dublin centre. Surrounding James Gandon's final Dublin masterpiece, the King's Inns, this simple park is so frequently overlooked that it's never overcrowded. What sets it apart is a frankly bizarre phenomenon near the southern entrance on Constitution Hill, whereby a tree has begun to consume a park-bench that got just a little bit too close. Check it out, even though seeing this curiosity doesn't make it any less strange than that explanation suggests.

I used to live on Henrietta Street and you can walk through the gate at the Kings Inn and this is…read morewhere you end up! It's a nice little oasis right in the city centre, even though you wouldn't be able to tell when you're here. A lot of people don't know about this little park so it's never busy and there is no better place to lay in the sun for a few hours when you have nothing better to do. There is no football or other ball-sports allowed on the grass though, so it's strictly bring a book/ magazine/ comic and relax. The pictures somehow don't show how nice it really is.

Although located on the grim skid-row of Marlborough Street, St Mary's Pro-Cathedral is an…read moreabsoulute gem of a building. Along with St Andrew's Church on Westland Row, the Pro-Cathedral is one of the finest modern church buildings in the city centre. The Pro-Cathedral is a fine example of a church built in the Classical Greek style, with large Doric cloumns on the inside as well as outside. The Pro-Cathedral was built early in the 19th century, and is modeled on the church of St Philippe-le-Roule in Paris. St Mary's Pro-Cathedral would not be the most frequented tourist attraction in Dublin, located off the beaten track as it is, but it only a minutes walk from O'Connell St, and it should definitely be part of your itinerary if you are visiting Dublin and old churches are your thing. I prefer the Classical style of St Mary's to the medieval Gothic of Christchurch or St Patrick's Cathedrals personally, and best of all, the Pro-Cathedral has no admission charge, whereas the other two have.

Back in the early 19th century, when Protestants didn't care too much for Catholics, the idea was…read moremooted to put the Pro-Cathedral on O'Connell Street. However, such a flagrant symbol of Taigism was judged unwise, what with the Penal Laws and all their attendant imaginative punishments, so it was built on Marlborough Street instead. From the outside, its most distinguishing feature is its sea-green dome, whereas inside it is a mix of Greek and Roman architectural styles, (more white marble statues than you can shake a crosier at), beautiful stained glass and an amazing panelled ceiling - the inside of the dome. Strangely, the name doesn't mean that it has professional cathedral status - in fact, it isn't officially recognised as a cathedral at all.