The Phoenix Park is the largest enclosed public park in any capital city in Europe.
It was originally formed as a royal hunting Park in the 1660s and opened to the public in 1747. A large herd of fallow deer still remain to this day. The Park is also home to the Zoological Gardens, Áras an Uachtaráin, and Victorian flower gardens. The Phoenix Park is only a mile and a half from O’Connell Street. Both passive and active recreational pursuits may be viewed or pursued such as walking, running, polo, cricket, hurling, and many more. The Glen Pond is set in very scenic surrounds in the Furry Glen. There are many walks and cycle trails available to the public.
The Phoenix Park is open 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, all year round. The main gates of the Park at Parkgate Street and Castleknock Gate are open 24 hours. The side gates to the Park are open from approximately 7am until approximately 10.45pm.
Click here to download the brand new 2018 programme of events in the park!
If you wish to apply for a licence to hold an event, or permit for photography and filming, please click here. A current timetable of Upcoming Events is available to download here.
Please check this timetable for remaining free dates before submitting your permit application. You may also use the form on this page to apply for a licence or permit for Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Arbour Hill Cemetery, or the Garden of Remembrance.
Current Road and Gate Closures
The Office of Public Works (OPW) is taking the opportunity to restore and conserve a number of the entrances to the Phoenix Park as part of the preparatory works for the visit of Pope Francis for the World Meeting of Families 2018. These conservation works which have been agreed with Dublin City Council are being supervised by OPW Conservation Architects and are part of the measures being undertaken for the health and safety of the hundreds of thousands of people from across Ireland and abroad attending the closing Mass in the Park. In order to allow the temporary removal, conservation and restoration of the gate entrances and the carrying out of associated infrastructural works, the following road closures at entrances to the Park will apply on the dates and for the times set out under. The temporary road closures have been designed to minimise as far as possible disruption to traffic and pedestrian access to the Park. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause during this period and appreciate the co-operation of the public as we carry out this necessary restoration and conservation work.
Ashtown Gate
July 18 to July 20, 10am – 3.30pm and 7pm – 11pm
July 30 to July 31, 10am – 3.30pm and 7pm – 11pm
Castleknock Gate
July 21 to July 22, 7am – 10pm
August 4 to August 5, 7am – 10pm
Chapelizod Gate
July 23 to July 25, 10am – 3.30pm
August 4 to August 5, 7am – 10pm
Islandbridge Gate
July 26 to July 28, 10am – 3.30pm and 7pm – 11pm
August 1, 10am – 3.30pm and 7pm – 11pm
North Circular Road Gate
August 2 and August 3, 10am – 3.30pm and 7pm – 11pm
Please note that when these closures are in place it will not be possible to walk, cycle or drive through these gates
- Chesterfield Avenue Temporary Partial Closure
Chesterfield Avenue will have temporary partial closure at Weekends and Bank Holidays only, from 8pm on Friday 4th May to 8pm on Sunday 30th September 2018, from the Phoenix to Mountjoy Roundabouts. An alternative route will be in place along the Odd Lamp Road. Please click here for more detailed information. The OPW will closely monitor traffic flows in order to minimise disturbance to users of the Park.
Deer in the Park
Members of the public are advised not to feed or approach the fallow deer in the Phoenix Park. Please click on this link to download advice on caution around the deer.
Dogs in the Park
Dogs are not permitted in some areas of the Park, and are required to be kept on a lead in other areas. Please download this Code of Conduct for Dog Owners for more information.
Important Notice re Car Break-Ins
Members of the public are advised not to leave any valuables in their cars at any time, including in the boot of their car.
The OPW liaises directly with An Garda Síochána with regards to this matter.
Update on the Playing Pitches in the Phoenix Park
No current updates.
New Series on RTÉ!
For the first time in Irish broadcasting history a landmark six part observational series It’s a Park’s Life reveals the inner workings of Europe’s largest city park through the eyes of those that live in, work in and love the park. Like a city within a city Phoenix Park is a diverse microcosm that some of Ireland’s most important decision makers call home. Not only is it a sanctuary, a sports ground and a public amenity, it is also the home of some of Ireland most significant organisations such as An Garda Siochána, the US Ambassador’s Residence, Army HQ, and Áras an Uachtaráin.
With unprecedented access, the Phoenix Park has opened ALL its gates to Moondance Productions to follow the organisations that work within its 1,750 acres and the residents who live in the 350 year old park.
The Phoenix Park Blog
We love sharing all the news and views from the Park.
Read the latest posts below, and click through to the full Park Blog for all news articles and Park updates.
OPW’s Phoenix Park wins prestigious Gold International Large Parks Award
The Phoenix Park in Dublin is one of only two parks in the world to receive a prestigious Gold Award in the Inaugural International Large Urban Parks Awards organised by World Urban Parks based in Canada. The awards recognise the quality of Parks across the globe, the...
Ed Sheeran Concerts Information
Ed Sheeran’s Irish tour kicks comes to Dublin’s Phoenix Park on Wednesday 16th, Friday 18th & Saturday 19th May 2018. LATEST INFORMATION FROM AIKEN PROMOTIONS Dublin Concert Information (PDF) Dublin Information and Traffic Management Plan (PDF) Download the Ed Sheeran...
Chesterfield Avenue Partial Closure at Weekends During 2018
In order to continue to achieve the environmental and recreational objectives of the Phoenix Park Conservation Management Plan, a portion of Chesterfield Avenue, from the Phoenix Monument to the Mountjoy Roundabout, will be closed at weekends to vehicular traffic...