Lunch is great but lunch outdoors is even better. With the recent wave of warm weather the last few days, it might be worth taking the time out to plan your next lunch spot. Grab a friend, pick up the ideal snack and venture into some of Dublin’s great parks!
St Kevin’s Park
Where: Camden Row, Dublin 8.
St Kevin’s Park is situated on the south side of the city centre on Camden Row off Wexford St. and is surrounded by high walls and buildings. Access is through a gate which is open during daylight hours. The area around the park is extensively developed with businesses, roads, DIT and a car park. You’ll rarely find anyone in here so it’s perfect for a quiet little get away and is only a 30 second stroll from Whelan’s. The site contains a church, which is now just a shell of walls, and a graveyard. Access to the interior of the church is restricted to the public by a locked gate. You may never want to leave, you’ve been warned.
St Audeon’s Park
Where: High Street/Cook Street, Dublin 8.
Located adjacent to St. Audeon’s Church (1300 A.D.), it incorporates the first stone city wall dating from about 1100 A.D. St. Audeon’s Arch, the last surviving entrance to the old city and Fagan’s Gate. If your boss doesn’t mind, take a few extra minutes to have a look around the church. It’s an extremely small park and not always open but only a stone’s throw from Christ Church.
Christ Church
Where: Christchurch Place, Dublin 8
Heading to a cathedral definitely isn’t the first place you’ll think of when you think of lunch but the outstanding architecture and history rich site make for good conversation starters. You’ll often find food vendors in the park and if not, head into the crypt underneath the cathedral to find a cafe. You’ll pay touristy prices however, but I often prefer to walk across the road and pick up fish & chips from Leo Burdocks.
Iveagh Gardens
Where: Clonmel Street, Dublin 2
Previously owned by the Guinness family (they owned half of Dublin at one stage), this is a handy little escape if you are willing to walk the extra five minutes up from Grafton Street. The best part about this park is that it’s physically stunning, has small rose gardens at the back, waterfall centre pieces, wide open spaces and is actually a lot quieter than it should be. Head to Dicey’s, grab a carvery to go (ask nicely) and park up in the basin (Archery Pit). Best enjoyed with a group of friends.
Garden of Remembrance
Where: Parnell Square East, Dublin 1
Having looked at a lot of parks, something did stand out. A lot of the popular ones are based south side and very there are few mentions of nice parks on the north side. Apart from the obvious Phoenix Park, there aren’t too many near city centre that often get notable mentions. However, there is the Garden of Remembrance. A great place to take in some sights and learn a thing or two. A lot has happened in our fair city and only rightly so that we should care about it! Many people died in the name of Irish freedom.
Stephen’s Green
Where: St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
So this isn’t really an alternative, I know but I’m playing on an angle here, bear with me for a moment. Not only is it full of nature, history, tourists, ponds, playgrounds, monuments, walks and all the rest of the goodies you’d expect to find in Dublin’s busiest park, it also seems to be a hot spot for couples. There’s a romantic quality to St Stephen’s Green that I’ve never been able to put my finger on. I’m going somewhere with this! Grab your partner, a crush or simply someone you think looks pleasant to have lunch with and steer them to the green. Test my theory of the park’s romantic powers and let us know how you got on!
Wolf Tone Square
Where: Jervis Street, Dublin 1
Ok, you got me! So, it’s not technically a park, it’s really a public square but it’s south facing meaning you get some sun. It’s close to the Luas so you can zip up and back if you’re not too far away and it’s also steeped in history. Previously a graveyard, you can examine the headstones and read some of the history written on the walls. The Church bar and restaurant beside it is where Arthur Guinness actually got married. There are plenty of vendors selling fruit on the streets too – no need to you find them, they’ll be sure to let you know where they are!
Other notable mentions: Merrion Square, Herbert Park & Fitzwilliam Square. Comment below and let me know which are your favourite parks?
