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Dublin's secret city centre park, the Iveagh Gardens

Considered a hidden gem in Dublin City Centre, the Iveagh Gardens is probably one of the least known parks in the city. The gardens were designed in 1865 as the host gardens of the Dublin Exhibition Palace and dubbed as “a space where the citizens might meet for the purposes of rational amusement, blended with instruction”, the gardens are steeped in history and boast many famous owners throughout the years, including the Guinness family. The park underwent refurbishment in 1995 with the aim of conserving and restoring many of the original features including the fountains, rustic grottos and rosarium, which is home to varieties of roses that predate the 1860s. Other notable features include a water feature which contains rock samples for each of Ireland’s 32 counties.

These days, The Iveagh Gardens is a popular venue for gigs, markets, and social gatherings of those who are close enough to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The park can be easily reach on foot from the salubrious Grafton Street area and is a popular lunch venue for the many office workers in the area. It’s a definite must see for visitors to the capital, especially those who want to step outside the obvious tourist traps.