Dublin Weekend Break

Phoenix Park

Dublin's Phoenix Park is the biggest city park in Europe with a massive circumference of 7 miles. The park occupies an area of almost 1.8 acres and although not in the centre of the city, can still be classed as a genuine city park. (The park is set about 2 miles from the centre of Bublin.)

The park was opened to the general public in 1745 by Lord Chesterfield, but the history of the park dates back to the thirteenth and possibly the twelfth century. If you have had a late night, or a busy day, Phoenix Park can offer a relaxing couple of hours giving your weekend break a temporary escape from the hive of activity that is central Dublin.

The park has free access and once inside you will see all manner of relaxing and activity based pastimes from nature trails and children’s play parks, to tree lined avenues, formal gardens and large areas of grass and woodland. The park is a real haven of peace and a great escape from hectic Dublin on a nice sunny day.

More about the park

Other interesting features of the park are its status as home to a heard of fallow deer, its nine entrance gates and the large stone built needle like icon of the Wellington testimonial monument. The park is also home to the Aras an Uachtarain, the official residence of the Irish president.