Phoenix Park

Phoenix Park was established in 1662 by James Butler, Duke of Ormonde, on behalf of King Charles II. Originally spanning over 2,000 acres, it was designed as a royal deer park for hunting, carved out of lands formerly belonging to the Knights Hospitaller. The park was enclosed by a stone wall to keep the deer in, much of which still stands today, and it remains one of the largest walled city parks in Europe. Over the centuries, the park transitioned from an exclusive royal retreat to a public space, officially opening to the citizens of Dublin in 1747. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, it became a focal point for Irish political and social life, housing the official residence of the President of Ireland, Áras an Uachtaráin. It has witnessed historical milestones, from the 1882 Phoenix Park Murders to the massive 1979 Papal Mass which drew over a million attendees. In the modern era, Phoenix Park serves as a vital ecological and recreational sanctuary. It is home to a wild herd of approximately 600 fallow deer, descendants of the original herd introduced in the 17th century. The landscape is a diverse mix of woodland and open grassland, featuring landmarks like the Wellington Monument—the tallest obelisk in Europe—and serving as a National Historic Park that balances conservation with public enjoyment.