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 view/download the brand new 2019 programme of events in the park!
DRONES IN THE PHOENIX PARK
Please note the use of drones is NOT permitted in The Phoenix Park
Upcoming Road and Gate Closures
If you wish to apply for a licence to hold an event, or permit for photography and filming, please click here.
A timetable of Upcoming Events in 2019 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
Temporary change to footpath and cycle trail along Chesterfield Avenue
In order to carry out essential maintenance to the Liffey Siphon in the Phoenix Park the cycle trail and footpath along the southern side Chesterfield Avenue will be re-routed temporarily from Monday 10th September 2018. Advance signage will be put in place to alert both pedestrians and cyclists to the change in route.
The works which are part of the Liffey Siphons Refurbishment Project will be carried out by Irish Water and will take place on the grass area south of the Phoenix Column adjacent to Chesterfield Avenue and are scheduled to last for approximately 7 months.
The siphons were constructed in the mid-1980s as part of the sewer system connecting the Blanchardstown area to the Grand Canal Sewer System and onward to Ringsend for treatment. The Blanchardstown Regional Drainage Scheme proposals for 2011 and beyond require that both siphons are available to convey the required flows.
This essential maintenance project will include rehabilitating the siphon inlet and outlet chambers, rehabilitating the two tunnels through which the siphons pass, rehabilitating the tunnel access shafts, and upgrade works to the hatch boxes, flow meter and pumping station chambers on the siphon line. As part of the project the siphons will also be cleaned out and a CCTV survey of the cleaned pipes will be undertaken.
Part Road Closure of Chesterfield Avenue at Weekends
As part of the ongoing management of the Phoenix Park and to adhere to the ethos of the Phoenix Park Conservation Management Plan, a 1.2km stretch of Chesterfield Avenue, between the Phoenix roundabout (east) and the Mountjoy roundabout (west – this is the roundabout closest to Castleknock Gate), is closed to vehicular traffic at weekends and Public Holidays during the summer months. The weekend part-road closures will take effect from Saturday, 4th May 2019 to Sunday, 29th September 2019 between the hours of 07.30 and 20.00 on Saturdays, Sundays and Public holidays only.
This summer road closure to vehicular traffic allows for open access of Chesterfield Avenue at weekends to pedestrians, cyclists, runners, walkers, families, etc. and was implemented following a “pilot run” in 2012.
Alternative driving routes will once again be available to allow vehicles access the Park and for those wishing to travel in an east/west direction. The Odd Lamp Road, i.e. the road linking the Phoenix Roundabout to the Back/North Road, will be open to facilitate 2-way traffic between the Phoenix Roundabout and the North Road. The OPW will closely monitor traffic flows in order to minimise disturbance to users of the Park.
Road Closure Order – Click above
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.
What’s On
Click here to view/download the brand new 2019 programme of events in the park!
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.
Restoration and Reinstatement of Phoenix Park Gates
Thursday, 7th March 2019 Background In preparation for the Final Mass for the World Meeting of Families 2018, a number of gates in the Phoenix Park were removed for health and safety reasons so as to ensure the safe and free movement of people and vehicles before and...
Minister Moran congratulates The Phoenix Park on its Award in Irish Independent 2019 Reader Travel Awards
Mr. Kevin 'Boxer' Moran T.D., Minister of State for the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Flood Relief today congratulated the Phoenix Park on its award for Ireland’s Favourite Local Attraction in the Irish Independent 2019 Reader Travel Awards. The OPW were excited to...
OPW’s Phoenix Park wins prestigious Gold International Large Parks Award
At a presentation ceremony last night, the OPW was presented with the Gold International Large Parks Award for the Phoenix Park. 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...