Merrion Square Park
Some parks with a large number of gates will start to close half an hour before the above times to allow enough time for all gates to be closed at the designated hour.
Merrion Square Park sits at the centre of one of Dublin city's most beautiful Georgian squares. The park has been restored to its historical layout. It also has a playground and sculpture trail. The Houses of the Oireachtas (the Irish Government), the Natural History Museum and the National Gallery of Ireland sit along the west of the square.
Opening Hours
Dé Luain
Open 24 hrs
| Dé Luain | Open 24 hrs |
|---|---|
| Dé Máirt | Open 24 hrs |
| Dé Céadaoin | Open 24 hrs |
| Déardaoin | Open 24 hrs |
| Dé hAoine | Open 24 hrs |
| Dé Sathairn | Open 24 hrs |
| Dé Domhnaigh | 10:00 – 22:00 |
Opening Hours
| January | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| February | 10:00 - 17:30 |
| March | 10:00 - 18:30 before clocks go forward 10:00 - 19:30 after clocks go forward |
| April | 10:00 - 20:30 |
| May | 10:00 - 21:30 |
| June and July | 10:00 - 22:00 |
| August | 10:00 - 21:30 |
| September | 10:00 - 20:30 |
| October | 10:00 - 19:30 before clocks go back 10:00 - 18:30 after clocks go back |
| November | 10:00 - 17:30 |
| December | 10:00 - 17:00 |
Some parks with a large number of gates will start to close half an hour before the above times to allow enough time for all gates to be closed at the designated hour.
Contact Details
You can explore the art in Merrion Square Park by downloading the Dublin City Heritage Park app on the Apple App Store.
History
Merrion Square Park is one of the finest and most intact examples of Georgian urban design in Dublin city. The construction of the Georgian houses at Merrion Square began in 1762 and continued for 30 years.
Merrion Square soon became a fashionable address for the aristocracy and the professional classes. Oscar Wilde, WB Yeats, George Russell and Daniel O'Connell all called the square home at one point.
The park was purchased from the Pembroke Estate by the Roman Catholic Church in 1930 as a site for a cathedral. However, this project never materialised and in 1974 the then Archbishop, Dermot Ryan, transferred the land to Dublin Corporation for use as a public park.
For more information on the history on this historic park download the Merrion Square Conservation Plan.
Art
- Oscar Wilde Memorial (1997) by Danny Osborne
- An Dún Cuimhneacháin - National Memorial to Members of the Defence Forces Who Have Died in Service (2008) by Brian King
- Bernardo O’Higgins (1995) by Francisco Orellana Pavez
- Éire Memorial (1974) by Jerome Connor
- Mother and Child (1985) by Patrick Roe
- Tribute Head II (1975-76) by Elisabeth Frink - donated to Artists for Amnesty in 1982
- Joker’s Chair - Dermot Morgan Memorial (2002) by Catherine Greene
- Henry Grattan (1982) by Peter Grant
- Michael Collins (1990) by Dick Joynt
- George William Russell (1985) by Jerome Connor
- The Victims (installed in 1976) by Andrew O’Connor
Facilities
- Art Trail
- Food Market
- Historic Interest
- Playground
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible