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Iveagh Gardens: Dublin's Tranquil Secret Garden

Discover Dublin's hidden oasis: Victorian gardens with a maze, fountains, and tranquil walkways, a stone's throw from the city center.

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Tucked away behind the National Concert Hall, the Iveagh Gardens offer a serene escape in the heart of Dublin. Designed in 1865 by Ninian Niven, these Victorian gardens blend French formal and English landscape styles, featuring a maze, rosarium, fountains, and peaceful walkways.

A brief summary to Iveagh Gardens

  • Monday 8 am-7:30 pm
  • Tuesday 8 am-7:30 pm
  • Wednesday 8 am-7:30 pm
  • Thursday 8 am-7:30 pm
  • Friday 8 am-7:30 pm
  • Saturday 8 am-7:30 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-7:30 pm

Local tips

  • Check the opening hours, as closing times vary throughout the year and can be affected by weather conditions or events.
  • Access the gardens from Clonmel Street, Hatch Street, or the rear of the National Concert Hall on Earlsfort Terrace.
  • Enjoy a coffee or bite to eat at nearby cafes and restaurants on Grafton Street or Camden Street Lower.
  • Explore nearby attractions such as St Stephen's Green, the Museum of Literature Ireland, and the National Concert Hall.
  • Note that wheelchair access is not available through the National Concert Hall gate entrance.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From St. Stephen's Green, walk south along St. Stephen's Green South, then turn left onto Hatch Street Upper. Continue straight, and the Iveagh Gardens entrance will be on your left. The walk is approximately 5 minutes. No costs are involved.

  • Public Transport

    Take the Luas Green Line to the St. Stephen's Green stop. From there, walk south along St. Stephen's Green South, then turn left onto Hatch Street Upper. The Iveagh Gardens entrance will be on your left. The walk is approximately 5 minutes. A single Luas fare within the city center is approximately €2.00 - €2.60, depending on the distance and if you pay with cash or a Leap Card.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    From Dublin city center, a taxi or ride-sharing service to the Iveagh Gardens will typically cost between €8 and €12, depending on traffic and the specific starting point. Ask the driver to drop you off at the Clonmel Street entrance.

Unlock the Best of Iveagh Gardens

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Discover more about Iveagh Gardens

The Iveagh Gardens, often called Dublin's 'Secret Garden', provide a tranquil retreat from the bustling city. Designed by Ninian Niven in 1865, the gardens were created as the grounds for the Dublin Exhibition Palace, aiming to offer citizens a space for 'rational amusement blended with instruction'. Originally known as Leeson's Fields in the 1700s, the land was later acquired by John Scott, the 1st Earl of Clonmell, who transformed it into his private Clonmell Lawns. A subterranean tunnel even connected his house on Harcourt Street to the gardens. In 1817, the gardens opened to the public as Coburg Gardens before falling into disrepair. Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness later bought the site, and his sons, Edward Cecil Guinness (Lord Iveagh) and Arthur Edward Guinness, developed it further. The Guinness family gifted the gardens to the Irish State in 1939, stipulating they remain a 'lung for Dublin'. Today, visitors can explore a variety of unique features, including rustic grottos, sunken formal lawns with fountains, woodlands, a maze, a rosarium, an American garden, rockeries, and archery grounds. The cascade is particularly stunning in the summer. The gardens host events, including the 'Live at the Iveagh Gardens concerts'.

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