Dublin City Council announces reopening of the Suzhou Garden in St. Anne’s Park

Dublin City Council is delighted to announce the reopening of the Suzhou Garden in St. Anne’s Park, following an extensive restoration in collaboration with the Suzhou Garden Bureau in China. 

Originally gifted to Dublin City Council in 2012 by the People’s Republic of China, the Suzhou Garden was first displayed at the Bloom Festival before being permanently relocated to St. Anne’s Park. Designed by expert craftsmen from Suzhou, a city renowned for its classical gardens, the Suzhou Garden at St Anne’s has since become a cherished cultural landmark and a symbol of friendship between Ireland and China.

Guests at the reopening ceremony this morning included H.E. Zhao Xiyuan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Ireland, highlighting the continued cultural partnership between Dublin and Suzhou.

“For the last thirteen years, the Irish Suzhou garden in St. Anne’s Park has become a little corner of China”, said Noel McEvoy of Dublin City Council. “Despite its petite size it has been a tangible expression of Chinese culture expressed in garden design.”

The restoration project has been a unique collaboration between Irish and Chinese craftsmen, offering a valuable opportunity for knowledge exchange, shared craftsmanship, and cultural appreciation. The newly renovated garden continues to exemplify traditional Chinese landscape architecture at its finest, reinforcing Dublin’s commitment to preserving this important cultural contribution. 

The reopening of the Suzhou Garden coincides with 46 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and China, making this event even more significant. The garden serves as a place of beauty and retreat, inviting visitors to St Anne’s to experience Chinese culture in a tranquil setting.

Dublin City Council extends its gratitude to all the individuals from both China and Ireland who contributed to this restoration. We invite the public to join us in celebrating this special occasion and to experience the beauty and serenity of the Suzhou Garden in St. Anne’s Park.

ENDS