Having stayed here every week for almost a year would have expected a better standard of treatment…read more Must point out that never had any prior issues with any staff member. The reason I say this is that upon reading previous reviews, have noticed the tendency of management to discredit every negative review with some slander. I was staying in Abbey Court every week but mostly not at the weekend and had gotten into a habit of leaving a lot of my belongings in a luggage room for convenience. I fully understood that it was completely at my own risk and returned after being away one weekend to discover that the luggage room had been completely cleared out and according to reception staff Lorenzo, whatever was in the luggage room was indiscriminately put into black bags and disposed of. Was extremely disappointed to put it mildly as had few hundred euro worth of clothes, toiletries, shoes, jacket, and a phone which was in the bottom of a backpack. When asking Lorenzo what I could possibly do, he immediately took an accusatory manner blaming me for having left my belongings there in the first place but said he would let me look through the bin shed for my luggage. Thought little bit of empathy wouldn't have gone amiss given the circumstances and fact that I would have been known to these staff. It was late at night and difficult to properly search through the bins, so I decided to get up early the next morning and talk to the head of cleaning Florian. Needless to say I never got any of my luggage back and had no choice but to accept the luggage was left at a certain risk and unfortunately was gone. However a week later I checked my Google account and noticed that my phone which had been in my luggage was now switched on and being used by someone in Moldova. When I showed this proof to the manager Reggie he told me that while he did not agree with it, the cleaning staff had emptied out all the luggage, taken what was of value and disposed of the rest. He also told me he would try and get my phone back for me, which he managed to do. The phone was handed back to me with no apology or explanation. I had to initiate a conversation with Reggie the following day and he offered me an excuse about one of the cleaning staff taking the phone and sending it to their kid in Moldova. Had my phone not been with my luggage, the original explanation (while distressing) of the luggage just been thrown out would have been accepted. The fact of the matter is they lied, and obviously if they took my phone I'm sure they wouldn't have passed up on my good shoes, jacket, clothes and everything else of value. Also the fact that the head of cleaning Florian allowed me to route through the filthy bin shed for half an hour while knowing that my luggage had already been divided up by his staff was an added frustration. At least if he had been honest with me could have saved me the hassle and subsequent sickness I had that week. This is my experience, I wouldn't recommend staying in Abbey Court.

This place has all the charm when looking for something right in the heart of Dublin. Just a few…read moresteps from the popular O'Connel and just a few paces from Trinity College. Everything was great: staff, rooming, showers, and public areas. I've been traveling with a partner across Ireland and out of the 5 hostels we stayed, this was the best. Our highlight was meeting great roommates and staying up all night sharing stories of our different (or not so different) worlds. All I can say is if you're looking for a social situation, be open, start a little conversation and let it bloom. The Abbey Court is a wonderful setting for it.

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.

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.