Popular Gardens in Dún Laoghaire

"Just on the other side of the Liffey from Phoenix Park, in Kilmainham, the Irish War Memorial Gardens are a beautiful quiet spot for a first look or your wedding portraits. Just like with St Stephen’s Green and Iveagh Gardens, you’ll need to get permission from the OPW. In return you’ll get one of the most beautiful backdrop of wisteria, roses or ivy – depending on what season you find yourself there!"

"These gardens are dedicated to all the Irish soldiers who fought in WWI. It’s a quaint setting to relax in, with a rose garden, fountains, and wonderful architecture around the grounds. Just like St. Patrick’s Park, the memorial gardens sit right by the bed of the River Liffey."

"This working farm in Dundrum, County Dublin, allows people of all ages to experience what farm life is really like. The Naturescape is an interactive outdoor play area for kids aged 4-12 with climbing frames, scramble nets, slides, swings, balance beams, tunnels and a zip wire. Kids under four can enjoy the soft play area where they can take on the role of a farmer, chef, or gardener."

"This working farm allows guests of all ages to learn about food, farming and nature in a relaxed urban setting in Dundrum. Kids can explore at Naturescape with interactive play area for 4-12 year olds which is located in the woodland walk area. A zip wire, balance beams, climbing structure and willow tunnel are proving to be great additions to the estate."

"Airfield Estate dates back to 1894 and was left to the people of Dublin in 1974. Now, it’s a public space, with a working farm, award-winning restaurant, museum, gardens and even beehives. Daily events include egg collection from the hens, calf-feeding and milking."

"Some secrets are too good to remain hidden, which is why you’re about to find out about Iveagh Gardens, often known as Dublin’s secret garden. Laid out by the 1st Earl of Clonmell and once a fashionable public space called Coburg Gardens, it fell into disrepair before being rescued and revived by Sir Benjamin Guinness in 1862; the family then cared for the gardens before donating them to the Irish nation in 1939. You can now enjoy a rustic grotto and cascade, fountains, wilderness woodlands, a maze, a rosarium and archery grounds – there are few better things to do in Dublin if the weather is good."

"A less known spot a stone’s throw away from St Stephen’s Green, Iveagh Gardens is quieter and more intimate. Yet it’s one of the best locations for wedding photos in Dublin if you want a little oasis of calm in the middle of the city. It even has a magnificent fountain."

"As local Dublin experts, who know the city better than anyone, we’re only too happy to let you know the best spots in the city, and Iveagh Gardens is one of our favourites!. Hop off the city tour at St. Stephen’s Green, and it’s just a short stroll away!"

"Nestled away behind Dublin Castle and secluded amongst the city buildings lay these magnificently designed gardens. They are designed with Celtic Symbolism having snake paving work slitter around the circular gardens. In Viking and medieval times this area was under water and called Dubh Linn (Black Pool) because it was where the river Liffey and Poddle met, the Poddle now runs underground and the Liffey banks were receded to where it is presently."

"Located behind the famous Dublin Castle is the sprawling and serene view of the Dubh Linn Gardens. You can take a short stroll, chill, lay down on the grass, and enjoy the tranquility that this park offers. Or maybe, if it piques your interest, you can admire the mega-sized Celtic knot pattern found within the park, or ask what it means to the locals enjoying their stay in Dublin."

"experience, incorporating a visitor centre, interactive exhibition areas and walled botanical garden. The Avoca Cafe is super kid friendly with lots of space, great food and high chairs. The outdoor terrace is a beautiful vantage point to enjoy the gardens…just watch out for the Peacocks which like to show off to our visitors from time to time!"

"Covering an area of 78 acres, Farmleigh is a huge estate that was developed as an accommodation for visiting dignitaries and for the recreation of the general public. A visit to this estate will remind you of the Edwardian period and aura. There is a kind of eclecticism that defines this estate as it combines a variety of architectural designs and decors."

"A historic house holding important collections, an art gallery, a working farm, and the official Irish State guest house, Farmleigh House and Estate is open seven days a week, all year round."

"A stunning mansion in the Elizabethan Revival style, Killruddery has been home to the Brabazon family (earls of Meath) since 1618 and has one of the oldest gardens in Ireland. The house is impressive, but the prizewinner here is the magnificent orangery, built in 1852 and chock-full of statuary and plant life. If you like fancy glasshouses, this is the one for you. It's 6km north of Greystones just off the R761 coast road."

"The beautiful grass and colourful flowerbeds are overlooked by the majestic St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It’s a great day out for all, and even sits by the River Liffey."

"Wicklow's most visited attraction is this magnificent 64-sq-km estate, whose main entrance is 500m south of Enniskerry town. At the heart of it is an elegant Palladian mansion, but the real draw is the formal gardens and the stunning views that accompany them. Most of the house is not open to the public, but there's a fine cafe and several gift and homewares shops to be enjoyed, while the grounds are home to two golf courses and the best hotel in Wicklow."

"At the northern end of Parnell Square is a small, peaceful park, dedicated to the men and women who have died in pursuit of Irish freedom. The Garden of Remembrance marks the spot where several leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were held overnight before being taken to Kilmainham Gaol, and was also where the Irish Volunteers movement was formed in 1913. The central water feature is in the form off a sunken crucifix with the mighty Children of Lir statue at one end."

"Gather your friends together and enjoy an authentic Chinese feast that tastes as amazing as it looks!. Reservations ----> 016772580. Ka Shing Chinese Restaurant is a very opulent and a thoughtfully decorated venue with chandeliers, gilded furniture everywhere."

"Ka Shing restaurant on Wicklow Street in the city centre is one of the best places in the capital for dim sum, with 48 varieties to choose from. The dumplings are also excellent and not be missed. Location: 12A Wicklow Street, Dublin"

"Located in Whitehall in a Northside suburb of Dublin city is Golden Palace, a Chinese restaurant offering one of the top buffet restaurants in Dublin. Stepping things up a notch, they offer table service that enhances the experience of what would otherwise be a self-serve buffet dinner. Seeing as this is one of the most popular restaurants in the locale, booking is advised at Golden Palace."

"This privately owned waxwork museum is up there with the best kid-friendly things to do in Dublin. With various attractions, from Father Ted’s Room to great Irish writers, music and entertainment to time vaults, the National Wax Museum is a great place to spend the afternoon. Address: The Lafayette Building, 22-25 Westmoreland St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 EH29, Ireland"

"Because seeing creepy celebrities made out of wax is always fun. But also because they have a Kids' World, where they could spend hours exploring the themed wolds, mirror maze and enchanted forest, as well as watching puppet plays in the new Puppet Theatre. For older kids there’s also the Science and Discovery section, as well as the ‘Wax Factor’ video recording studio."

"Enjoy Irish history and walk through the Hall of Irish Legends and encounter some of the most famous faces who have helped shape the history of our great island. In addition, there’s fun to be had for all the family in the children’s zone of discovery. Plan you visit to the Wax Museum today!"

"This museum is located in St. Enda’s Park in Dublin and offers insight into the home of the Irish patriot, Patrick Pearse."

"Kilmainham Gaol (jail) opened in 1796 and was operational until 1924, and those years saw major rebellions in Ireland. Many of the leaders were detained and executed in the gaol, but many ordinary citizens, including children, were incarcerated as well. There’s a haunting amount of history within these stone walls, so a tour of Kilmainham Gaol is a poignant and evocative experience that offers fascinating, albeit harrowing, insight into prison life."

"One of the largest unoccupied gaols in Europe Kilmainham Goal opened its door in 1796 and finally shut in 1924. It witnessed some of the most heroic an tragic events in Ireland’s emergence an independent nation. Now a major museum visitors get the opportunity to have a real insight into the lives of prisoners and what they had sacrifice for their country."

"When you are in Dublin and want to take photos, you should definitely go to Kilmainham Gaol. This is a former prison that is now a museum. The prison played a role in the history of the country, especially at the beginning of the 20th century."

"Chapel Royale, the castle’s chapel, was beautiful and full of tales of its own. If you find yourself hungry or thirsty, there is a lovely eatery at the back of the castle with outdoor seating. The tour lasts one hour."

"Ireland's largest church, St Patrick's Cathedral was built between 1191 and 1270 on the site of an earlier church that had stood since the 5th century. It was here that St Patrick himself reputedly baptised the local Celtic chieftains, making this bit of ground some fairly sacred turf: the well in question is in the adjacent St Patrick's Park, which was once a slum but is now a lovely spot to sit and take a load off."

"Another photogenic place in Dublin is the St Patrick's Cathedral. The cathedral is very old, as it's from 1191. Taking photos of the cathedral is definitely a great idea, as the building is very photogenic."