Ireland is famous for its ancient castles, delicious beer and, of course, landscapes. Lovers of natural beauty and hiking will appreciate our list of the most beautiful gardens and parks in Ireland.
Powerscourt Gardens
Address
Powerscourt Estate, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
Official website: powerscourt.com/gardens
Opening hours
January 09.30 a.m. — 4.45 p.m.
February 09.30 a.m. — 5 p.m.
March — October 09.30 a.m. — 5.30 p.m.
November 09.30 a.m. — 5 p.m.
December 09.30 — 16.30
Open 7 Days a week. Gardens close at Dusk in Winter (last entry 30 minutes before close)
Tickets
Adult: €11.50
Senior: €9.00
Student: €8.50
Child (U16): €5.00
Child (U5): Free
Family: €26.00
And here you can book the Day Tour to Powerscourt from Dublin.
Powerscourt Manor Landscape Park has been named one of the best in the world by National Geographic magazine. Intertwining alleys surrounded by flower beds, numerous ponds with fountains allow us to call the park a masterpiece of landscape design in Ireland.
Book your exciting day trip to County Wicklow from Dublin here. A visit to Powerscourt Manor is included in the itinerary.
» READ MORE – Powerscourt Gardens: how to get and what to see at the estate
Killarney National Park
Address
Killarney National Park, Muckross, Killarney, Ireland
Official website: killarneynationalpark.ie
Opening hours
24 hours a day
Tickets
Entry is free of charge.
And you can book a full day Ring of Kerry tour from Dublin at this link.
The park is located in County Kerry in the southwest of Ireland, on the shores of the lakes of the same name in Killarney. The combination of mountains, lakes, forests and waterfalls fascinates even the most sophisticated tourists. Ross Castle, built in the 15th century, and Macross Gardens are located within the park. Walking through the forests and fields of the park, you can meet badgers, squirrels, thrushes, geese and falcons. In addition, the park is the only red deer habitat in Ireland.
The hiking trails along the Ring of Kerry begin exactly from Killarney. If you want to learn more about Killarney National Park, enjoy the mountains, lakes, incredible scenery and spectacular views, you can book the Ring of Kerry Day Tour from Dublin here.
» READ MORE – 20 best castles in Ireland
Vale of Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains
Address
Glendalough, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
Official website: wicklowmountainsnationalpark.ie
Opening hours
Open: Year round, 24 hours a day
Tickets
Admission is free.
Guided tour from Dublin you can book at this link.
Wicklow Mountains is a huge national park in the south of Dublin, we highly recommend visiting it. Glendalough is a glacial valley in County Wicklow, famous for the medieval monastic settlement founded on its territory in the 6th century. Most of the buildings that have survived to this day belong to the 10–12th century. In addition to ancient history, Glendalough is famous for its landscapes: all visitors are absolutely impressed with two large lakes surrounded by mountains. There are several hiking trails of varying length and complexity in the park.
» READ MORE – Brú na Bóinne Mounds, the mystery of Ireland
Connemara national park
Address
Letterfrack, Co. Galway, Ireland
Official website: connemaranationalpark.ie
Opening hours
Open 24 hours a day year around
Tickets
Admission is free.
And here you can book a day tour to the Connemara National Park from Galway.
The lands of Connemara were usually used for grazing. However in 1980 the area was given the status of a national park to protect the unique landscape. Mostly Connemara consists of peat bogs and moorlands. It doesn’t sound impressive, but it’s actually a very picturesque place. If you watched the Game of Thrones, you’ve seen the green fields of Connemara as the Dothraki Sea. These places are especially beautiful during the flowering of heather.
There are several hiking trails along Connemara, and there are specially equipped campsites. Travelers can enjoy the harsh beauty of the unusual landscape, and if they are lucky, they will also meet local residents, small birds, rabbits, ermines and unique Connemara ponies. Book your Connemara Day Tour from Dublin here.
» READ MORE – Connemara in Ireland: how to get there and what to see?
Where to chill and relax in Dublin
National botanic gardens in Ireland
Address
National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
Official website: botanicgardens.ie
Opening hours
Winter Opening Hours
9 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.: Weekdays
10 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.: Sat, Sun & Public Holidays
Summer Opening Hours
9 a.m. — 5 p.m.: Weekdays
10 a.m. — 6 p.m.: Sat, Sun & Public Holidays
Tickets
Admission is free
The Botanic Gardens of Ireland were created in 1795. Fans of beautiful flowers will be happy to spend time under the glass vaults of greenhouses, admiring the collections of tropical plants. You can even find famous orchids nominated for various international awards here. Also you can see various representatives of the flora of Ireland, including rare and endangered species.
St Stephen’s Green
Address
St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
Opening hours
Open all year
Monday – Saturday: 07:30 a.m.– dusk.
Sunday and bank holidays: 09:30 a.m. – dusk.
Tickets
Admission is free
Located in the heart of Dublin, St Stephen’s Green is the perfect place to unwind after a busy day. The park was opened in 1880 and managed to play an important role in the history of the country. During the 1916 revolution, rebel camps and barricades were located here. The entrance to the park is decorated in the form of a triumphal arch, and inside it is decorated with flower beds, alleys, sculptures and busts of prominent Irish figures. A large lake with waterfowl, surrounded by gazebos and summerhouses is especially beautiful.
Phoenix park
Address
Phoenix Park, Dublin 8, Ireland
Official website: phoenixpark.ie
Opening hours
The Phoenix Park is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, all year round.
Tickets
Admission is free.
Phoenix Park, located very close to the center of Dublin, covers an area of 707 hectares and is considered to be the largest park in Europe. Fans of landscape design will not be impressed by this place: the park is decorated in the Irish style, which means that it is actually just a spacious field occasionally framed by trees. But here you can meet giant herds of deer, which are not at all afraid of people and not separated from them by anything. The park also houses the Dublin Zoo.
We wish you to fully enjoy the unforgettable atmosphere of the gardens and parks of Ireland!
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