Things to see and do in Glasnevin, Co. Dublin

The National Botanic Gardens

The National Botanic Gardens are located in Glasnevin, situated between Prospect Cemetery and the River Tolka, where it forms part of that river’s floodplain. The gardens were founded in 1795 by the Dublin Society (later the Royal Dublin Society) and are today in State ownership through the Office of Public Works. They hold 20,000 living plants, many millions of dried plant specimens and there are several architecturally notable greenhouses. The gardens participate in national and international initiatives for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

Dublin City University

Take a visit to Dublin City University, a relatively new and modern campus. Created as the National Institute for Higher Education, Dublin, in 1975, it enrolled its first students in 1980 and was elevated to university status in September 1989. In September 2016, DCU completed the process of incorporating three other Dublin-based educational institutions: the Church of Ireland College of Education, Mater Dei Institute of Education and St Patrick’s College.

The Pyramid Church

Glasnevin is served by the Church of Lady of Dolours. A timber church, which originally stood on Berkeley Road, was moved to a riverside site on Botanic Avenue early in the 20th century. The altar in this church was from Newgate prison in Dublin. It served as the parish church until it was replaced, in 1972, by a structure resembling a pyramid when viewed from Botanic Avenue. The previous church was known locally as “The Woodener” or “The Wooden” and the new building is still known to older residents as “The new Woodener” or “The Wigwam”.

John Kavanagh’s The Gravediggers

John Kavanagh’s pub lays claim to being the oldest family pub in Dublin – it was established in 1833 and the current family are the 6th generation in the business. Also known as ‘The Gravediggers’ because of its location next to the Glasnevin cemetery and its attached folk history, this is a genuine Victorian bar, totally unspoilt – and it has a reputation for serving one of the best pints in Dublin. No music, “piped or otherwise”.

Experience Gaelic Games

When you visit Ireland don’t leave without experiencing the wonder of our greatest and most unique modern cultural activity – Gaelic Games. A visit to Experience Gaelic Games will give you a chance to play games whose history extends back over 3,000 years into an ancient Irish civilisation. These are some of the oldest games in the world; they’re also great fun for people of all ages. Experience Gaelic Games is all about your participation regardless of age, gender or skill level.

Grand Canal walk

Take a stroll along this revamped section of the Grand Canal; a nice, quiet, watery oasis (with plenty of seats) on a good day. Traditionally used as a method of transportation, the canal itself is a lot more leisure-based nowadays, with barges of private parties easing their way down the waters during the summer months. It’s also a great spot for exercise enthusiasts with walkers, joggers and cyclists getting great use of the flat, straight track.

Mountjoy Square

Mountjoy Square is one of five Georgian squares in Dublin, planned and developed in the late 18th century. It is Dublin’s only true Georgian square, each of its sides being exactly 140 metres in length.

It has been home to many of Dublin’s most prominent people: The writer James Joyce lived around the square during some of his formative years, playwright Seán O’Casey wrote and set some of his most famous plays on the square while living there, W.B. Yeats stayed there with his friend John O’Leary, and more recently, much of the Oscar-winning film ‘Once’ was made in the square. Historic meetings have taken place there, including planning for the Easter Rising and some of the earliest Dáil meetings.