NATIONAL

BOTANIC

GARDENS

DUBLIN

NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS

DUBLIN

The National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin are like a living museum where Victorian elegance meets natural beauty. Located just a few kilometres from Dublin's city centre, this 19.5-hectare sanctuary offers an immediate sense of tranquillity, washing away the urban hum with the rustle of ancient trees and the scent of beautiful exotic blooms. The gardens are world-renowned for their architectural masterpieces as much as their plant life.

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The Great Palm House

Dominating the landscape, this soaring Victorian structure transports you to a tropical rainforest. Inside, the air is thick and humid, nurturing giant palms, bananas, and cycads that tower over visitors.

The Curvilinear Range

A stunning example of 19th-century ironwork by Richard Turner, this curvilinear glasshouse is an architectural jewel. Its sweeping curves and light-filled corridors house a unique collection of plants from the Southern Hemisphere.

The River Tolka

While the glasshouses represent controlled Victorian perfection, the River Tolka introduces a wonderfully untamed element to the National Botanic Gardens. This substantial river cuts through the northern edge of the grounds, creating a natural floodplain that contrasts sharply with the manicured lawns nearby.

A dedicated path follows the river's edge, offering one of the most peaceful routes in the gardens. It leads visitors away from the busy visitor centre and toward the quieter, more secluded sections.

There’s several elegant pedestrian bridges that span the water, connecting the main gardens to the Rose Garden on the opposite bank. Crossing over gives you a perfect vantage point to look upstream and downstream for wildlife.

Wildlife

There are very friendly grey squirrels everywhere who are not shy to come up close, especially if you have some nuts to feed them. Children love this! Also keep an eye out for grey herons and little egrets standing motionless in the shallows, waiting to strike at passing trout or eels.

Glasnevin Cemetery

A "secret" gateway connects the gardens directly to the historic Glasnevin Cemetery. This is one of the largest cemeteries in Europe with over 1.5 million people buried there. Combining both makes for a profound half-day trip through Irish history and nature.

Visiting

Entry is free and there’s toilet facilities as well as a busy café for lunch.

To catch the glasshouses at their most ethereal, arrive right at opening time (9:00 AM on weekdays). The morning light filtering through the condensation on the glass is a photographer's dream.

Parking is currently free as well, but very limited. It is nearly always full with a queue of cars waiting to get into the small car park as people leave. I recommend, if possible, to park along the main road up the hill and walk down to the gardens.