Mountjoy Square Park

Mountjoy Square Park is a classic Dublin Georgian square, one of the city's five original squares laid out in the 18th century. The park itself is a well-maintained green space with a large central lawn, mature trees, and flowerbeds. Benches line the pathways, offering spots to sit and admire the elegant terraced houses that enclose the square, many with original doorways and fanlights. The park has a children's playground with swings and slides, making it popular with local families. It's also a quiet escape from the bustle of nearby O'Connell Street and the city center. The square has a rich literary history: James Joyce set part of Ulysses here, and the area was once home to writers like John Millington Synge and Sean O'Casey. Today, the park is a community hub, hosting occasional events and a weekly farmers' market. It's a lovely spot for a stroll, a picnic, or simply watching Dublin life go by.

Don't miss

• Admire the Georgian architecture of the surrounding townhouses, with their colorful doors and ornate fanlights
• Let children play in the well-equipped playground with swings, climbing frames, and a sandpit
• Relax on a bench under the shade of mature plane trees
• Visit the weekly farmers' market (Saturdays) for local produce and artisan foods
• Walk the perimeter path and note the plaques commemorating former residents

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Mountjoy Square Park

Cheapest way inSaint Patrick's Cathedral Dublin Entry Ticket4.7★ · 803 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$13 per personSee dates →Best full dayDublin to Cliffs of Moher, Burren, Wild Atlantic Way, Galway Tour4.9★ · 14,156 travelers~13 hoursFree cancellationFrom$91 per personSee dates →Top ratedAfternoon Dublin Mountain Pub Tour(small group pub crawl max 15)5★ · 280 travelers~5 hoursFrom$80 per personSee dates →

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Getting there

Know before you go

• The park opens daily from 7 AM and closes at dusk (around 8 PM in summer, earlier in winter). Exact hours vary; check Dublin City Council website.
• Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash. Dog waste bins are provided.
• Limited on-street parking is available around the square, paid via pay-and-display. Public transport is recommended.
• No café inside the park, but nearby cafes and shops on Dorset Street and Parnell Square offer refreshments.

A bit of history

Mountjoy Square was developed between 1790 and 1820, named after Luke Gardiner, 1st Viscount Mountjoy. It was one of Dublin's most fashionable addresses in the 18th and 19th centuries. The square declined in the 20th century but has seen revitalization in recent decades, with many townhouses restored.