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Dublin contains many fine parks and gardens, including the Dublin Zoo. The nature in and around the city, can be a great escape from the busy areas. Below is just some of the places you can visit if you are looking for something a little more soothing.
Dublin Zoo
The Dublin City Zoo is just a few minutes from Dublin City Centre and is home to over 700 animals and birds from around the world. The Zoo is located on 66 acres and is the No.1 visitor attraction in Ireland. Here you can learn about the many rare and endangered species that live in the zoo and how the Zoo is committed to conservation, education and study.
Hours of Operation:
March-Sept: Monday to Saturday 9.30am - 6.00pm
Sundays 10.30am - 6.00pm
October-February: Monday to Saturday 9:30am-dusk
Sundays 10:30am-dusk
Admission:
Adults €10.10, Children €6.30, Children under 3 free. Unwaged €7.70, OAP's €6.30 Family Ticket (2 adults and 2 children) €29.40.
Address/Contact Info:
Phoenix Park,
Dublin 8
Tel: +353 1 677 1425
Fax: + 353 1 677 1660
Email: info@dublinzoo.ie
Ardgillan Demesne
Ardgillan Victorian Garden is located on the elevated coastline between Balbriggan and Skerries and is unique because of the magnificent view. The park is 194 acres of rolling pastureland, mixed woodland and gardens, overlooking the bay of Drogheda. It is also a sanctury for many species of mammals and birds.
Address/Contact Info:
Balbriggan,
County Dublin
Tel: +353 1 849 2324
Fax: +353 1 849 2194
National Botanic Gardens
The National Botanic Gardens were founded by the Royal Dublin Society in 1795. Totalling 19.5 hectares, located on the south bank of the Tolka, the Garden contains an arboretum, rock garden and burren areas, large pond, extensive herbaceous borders, student garden and an annual display of decorative plants including a rare example of Victorian carpet bedding. There is the Great Palm House of 1884 and the orchid house. Wildlife includes a fine weeping Atlantic cedar, a lofty Zelkova from the Caucasus,as well as native and hybrid strawberry trees.
Hours of Operation:
Open all year except Christmas Day.
Summer: Mon-Sat: 9am-6pm,Sunday 11am-6pm.
Winter: Mon-Sat: 10am-4.30pm,Sunday 11am-4.30pm.
Admission:
General access is free but there is a charge for parking. Guided tours cost €2 per person.
Address/Contact Info:
Glasnevin,
Dublin 9
Tel: + 353 1 857 0909
Fax: + 353 1 863 0080
Email: botanicsv@ealga.ie
Newbridge Demesne
Newbridge Demesne is a restored 4.5 acre Victorian style Kitchen Garden including a Rose Walk, Herbaceous border and 2 Glasshouses. There are Tea Rooms, a Picnic Area, extensive Woodland Walks and a Playground.
Hours of Operation:
June-September: 10am-1pm; 2pm-5pm
Sunday and Bank Holidays: 2pm-6pm
October-March: Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays: 2pm-5pm.
Address/Contact Info:
Donabate,
County Dublin
Tel: +353 1 843 6064
Fax: +353 1 843 6535
Phoenix Park Visitor Centre
The Phoenix Park is one of the largest and most magnificent city parks in Europe. There is a lively exhibition on the history and wildlife of the Phoenix Park on display in the Visitor Centre. You can learn information about the park from 3500BC to the present day.
Hours of Operation:
January-mid March: Sat-Sun: 10am-5pm
Mid-end March: Daily: 10am-5.30pm
April-September: Daily: 10am-5pm
November-December: Sat-Sun: 10am-5pm
Admission:
Adults €2.75
Senior Citizen €2
Child/Student €1.25
Family Rate €7
Address/Contact Info:
Phoenix Park,
Dublin 8
Tel: + 353 1 677 0095
Fax: + 353 1 677 0095
Email: phoenixparkvisitorcentre@ealga.ie
Skerries Watermill and Windmills
The Skerries Mills industrial heritage centre and town park coonsists of a watermill, 5-sail windmill and 4-sail windmill with associated mill races, mill pond and wetlands. The history of the mills can be traced to the early 16th century and a bakery was established on site by 1840. Stone-ground milling declined in the 1930's, but the bakery continued to flourish for a further fifty years. The watermill and both windmills have been restored to working order and are open to the public throughout the year. Visitors can even try grinding, and read about the history of milling and observe the stones, shakers, sieves and elevators powered by wind and water.
Hours of Operation:
1st April-30th Sept Daily: 10:30am-5:30pm
1st Oct-31st March Daily: 10:30am-4:30pm
Admission:
Adults €5
Family rate €10
Senior Citizens/Students €4
Address/Contact Info:
Skerries,
County Dublin
Tel: + 353 1 849 5208
Fax: + 353 1 849 5213
Email: skerriesmills@indigo.ie
Talbot Botanic Gardens
Talbot Botanic gardens is located within Malahide Castle Demesne and contains almost 5,000 species with an emphasis placed on Southern Hemisphere plants, particularly Australasian and Chilean species.
Address/Contact Info:
Malahide Castle,
County Dublin
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