Merrion Square is probably most known for its Oscar Wilde statue. His childhood home is just across from the statue. Whenever I'm in Dublin, I like coming to this park not only to visit Oscar but to walk the grounds. The park has been in existence since the late 1700s and is surrounded by Georgian homes. The green space is lovely and spacious and has an area for kids to play as well. It's a nice park for taking a little respite from the stressors of the day. Great for people and dog watching as well. read more

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Merrion Square Park sits at the centre of one of Dublin city's most beautiful Georgian squares. The park has been restored to its historical layout. It also has a playground and sculpture trail. The Merrion Square Park is the most intact Georgian Square located in the heart of the city and it's surrounded by all kinds of artistic and creative institutions like the National Art Gallery of Ireland, the Archaeological and Natural History sections of the Irish Traditional Music Archive, Royal Society of Antiquaries, the Irish Architectural Archive, just to name a few In the middle of the Georgian buildings, Merrion Square Park is located. The park is surrounded on three sides by Georgian redbrick houses. On the fourth side, it's surrounded by government buildings, the Natural History Museum, Leinster House and the National Gallery of Ireland. To me the best place to enter the park is at the northwest corner near #2 where you will come upon, what in my opinion, is one of the greatest examples of a modern sculptural portrait to be found anywhere. Here is Oscar Wilde in all his dandified glory. Fun fact, the Merrion Square Park was originally a private garden for residents of the square. Luckily, now everybody can enjoy a walk through the gorgeous park. read more

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Merion Square is cute little park that historically was a private playground for the well-to-do residents of the neighborhood and surrounded by gorgeous Georgian buildings. Gayle and recently spent some "date" time here during the day. Merion Square has has lots of sculptures (Oscar Wilde being a favorite), green space, and resting spots. It's maybe a bit quieter an more peaceful than the nearby St. Stephen's Green, but that's relative. read more

Merrion Square - Parks Near Me - Dublin, D

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A quite lovely square park that in the middle of the town. In the park, you got quite a few statues, such as George Russell Bust, Bernardo O'Higgins, Oscar Wide, and other sculptures. It's a simple but lovely park that you can sit and enjoys the moments or a picnic in the park. read more

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This is a lovely park that we stumbled upon while trying to get to a museum, and it was definitely a happy accident! The flowers were still beautiful in September and the park is large enough to be quiet and peaceful. There are some beautiful and unusual trees, a lot of birds, and a statue of Oscar Wilde lounging on a rock. We had a nice relaxing stroll here and I'd definitely recommend coming on purpose rather than just by accident. read more

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Such a pretty place, came through via a walking tour. If you're nearby definitely go! read more

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My mother was adamant that we find this place so she could take a picture next to Oscar Wild so off we went, and it turns out it's not that far away from St Stephens Green. Oddly enough I enjoyed Merrion Square even more so than St Stephens. It was quieter with a lot less people around too. The landscaping is immaculate, plus mom got her pic next to Oscar. read more

Merrion Square - Parks Near Me - Dublin, D

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What a great park! Lots of grass, lots of trees, lots of paths to walk. Surrounded by amazing architecture and not too many loud buses. I'd say this one is better than St. Stephen's Green. it's certainly less haunted by current events! Of course, the young Oscar Wilde lived just across at 1 Merrion Square, Yeats and Daniel O'Connell also lived here. And maybe you noted the hump? Yeah, that's the entrance to an air raid shelter! Don't miss the Jester's Chair in memory of Father Ted star Dermot Morgan. read more

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Merrion Square is a gorgeous Georgian-era park, well-manicured and much quieter than its more famous Dublin counterpart, St. Stephen's Green. There's a statue of Oscar Wilde lying in a green smoking jacket with red lapels in one corner of the park and a memorial pyramid with an eternal flame dedicated to the Irish armed forces in another part. Immaculately tended flower beds of marigolds decorate the expansive lawns. Sitting on one of the benches along the many walkways provides a moment of welcome calm, especially if you have imbibed one Guinness too many into your digestive system. Those aspects on their own should really be enough of a lure to come here on your next visit to this unassuming city. But I came for another reason. The doors. Yes, the vibrantly colorful front doors of the Georgian townhouses that surround three sides of the park. As you can see, they are intensely photogenic (see photos). In order to set themselves apart, the former residents painted their front doors whatever color they fancied, added ornate knockers, elegant fanlights above the door, and wrought iron boot scrapers, near the the entrance. Long since converted into office space, the portals retain their original eye-catching glory. Well worth the stroll and snapshots to create your own colorful montage of Dublin's doors. read more

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We went there yesterday and it's a very peaceful place, with many paths and a tranquil atmosphere. It's right across the street from the National Gallery and that neighborhood is lovely. read more

This is a small park that has a solid amount of green space and lots of sculptures. The most famous one being of Oscar Wilde, that alone makes this park 5 stars in my book. But in addition to that there are a bunch of street performers and overall a very fun place to people watch. read more

The absolute best thing about my job is that when the good weather hits I can be in Merrion Square park within 30 seconds. It is a beautifully maintained park, and usually a lot quieter than Stephen's Green. The summer is filled with excellent events from the Soul Picnic to the weekly lunchtime opera. It's a lovely place for a stroll in any season. read more

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I don't know how many times I walked right by this unassuming park before I noticed it. like literally, in something like 9 months, I walked past it at least 5 times a week! then one day I just happened to turn my head to the right at the precise moment to peer into a light flooded portal to wonderland. (i've uploaded the picture i took of it) it was a normal dreary day in Dublin which had just turned sunny so when i looked in through the fence and trees, it was like glowing inside. i was like "what on earth is this place?" and walked in thru the next gate to check it out. i discovered a lovely park filled with trees and plants and flowers and large expanses of grass. it felt like such an oasis and everything was still glistening from the rain. because the weather had been yucky earlier, there was absolutely nobody in there and i felt free to climb around in the underbrush and pretend i was out in the woods. i'm such a plant nerd these days and it was such fun to try & identify the stuff growing in there :) i really like this park and i daydream about having picnics in it... read more

Merrion Square - Parks Near Me - Dublin, D

Merrion Square is one of my favorite spots in Dublin City. I am very lucky to work on the square in an office that overlooks the park. The square itself is made up of beautiful Georgian houses from the 1760's all centered around an 11 acre park. The houses have fantastic coloured doors that are synonymous with Dublin all over the world. There are many stories behind the colours of the door but my favourite one goes like this - George Moore and Oliver St. John Gogarty were neighbours on Ely place and were both fond of the drink. On various occasions they came home drunk and as their houses looked so similar went into the wrong house and ended up in bed with the wrong wife. The ladies of the house were not impressed so agreed one would paint their door green and the other red so there would be no more confusion. This apparently started a trend and soon all of the houses had brightly coloured doors like you can see today. Many of the houses are very preserved and still have the fanlights about the hall door, some with a place for a lantern. On the pavement outside you might notice round metal discs on the pavement - these were where the coal for the house would have been delivered. In #29 (on the corner of Fitzwillam Street) you can visit a house that has been restored as it would have been in 1800. Famous residents of the square include Oscar Wilde, W. B. Yeats and Daniel O'Connell. The park in the centre of the square was owned by the Catholic Church and they had plans to build a cathedral here. They decided instead to build the Pro-Cathedral on Marlborough Street so in 1974 they handed the park over to the city council and it has been a public park ever since. The park was until recent times named "Arch Bishop Ryan Park" as he was responsible for the park being handed over - however as he was implicated in some unsavory events the park was renamed Merrion Square Park. I love this park it has so many really interesting pieces of art not to mention a WWII air raid shelter with several tunnels beneath. My favorite is the jesters chair which is a memorial for Dermot Morgan a.k.a Father Ted. One you might walk by without noticing is the display of Dublin's various lamp posts throughout the years. There are 25 in total and some tell you of their original location like "Grafton Street". There is also a really great sculpture called "Tribute Head" that you will see in my photos - It was put there as a tribute to Nelson Mandela. When Mandela was released from prison, the Tribute Head became the location of a large celebration. The playgorund has recently (late 2015) been refurbed and they did a great job. Te theme is "The Giants Garden" with all sorts of over sized items. There is a food market in the park on a Thursday and monthly there is art displayed around the outside railings. read more

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This may very well be my favorite park in Dublin. Here's why: One fine day I strolled into the park for the first time with a visiting friend. There aren't many 'fine days' in Dublin; so, when you stroll in to the park and find several chairs scattered on the lawn beckoning you to take in the sunshine while it's available, well, need I go on...? It's quiet and there's something for everyone - a place for solitude, a space for children, paths for walking and taking in the greenery, and a vast spread of green green grass for basking and picnicking. There's even a kiosk to purchase hot beverages. If you're able and willing, rent a bike from Dublin Bikes and park it in one of the two stations outside the square (your first half hour of biking is free!) Then stroll in the park and enjoy your afternoon in the sun (when it's shining :) read more

Merrion Square - Merrion Square on a Beautiful Blue Sky Morning! - Parks Near Me - Dublin, D

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Merrion Square, located south of the River Liffey in Dublin's city centre, is the home of wealthy Georgian houses, famous former residents, and Merrion Square Park. Originally, Merrion Square Park in the square was named "Archbishop Ryan Park", after the Catholic archbishop, Dermot Ryan. The park was renamed in 2010 to Merrion Square after Ryan was criticised in the Murphy Report. Only residents with possession of a private key had access to Merrion Park until the 1960's. Today the park is open to the public. Merrion Park has many noteworthy sights including a statue of Oscar Wilde, many sculptures and a collection of old Dublin lamp standards, the public art piece, "Eire" designed by Jerome Connor, and a sculpture of a Jester's Chair in memory of Father Ted star Dermot Morgan. Merrion Square is one of the few lush green squares in Dublin and warrants a visit if you are in the area. read more

Tired of following the herd to Stephen's Green at lunchtime? Five minutes away is this smaller, more secluded, and arguably superior public park. The north-western corner of the park is devoted to one-time Merrion Square resident Oscar Wilde and counts as a bona fide Dublin landmark on the tourist trail, but the rest of the park is mercifully under-exploited; there's ample seating and just the right balance of foliage and open spaces. Plans in the last century to build a cathedral on the site were scrapped in favour of simply giving one of the city's great Georgian spaces back to its citizens. read more

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Merrion Square is yet another patch of green in a city containing many lovely patches of green. Usually things are very peaceful here, despite the constant trickle of tourists that make their way to the corner of the park to check out Oscar Wilde's statue. Personally I think it's rather ugly, and prefer to read the handwritten Wildean quotes on the pillars instead of gawking at his likeness. Merrion Square really comes alive with festivals and events such as the Street Performance World Championships. I'd always wondered what the grassy mounds in the middle of the park were, and now I know - they're 'natural' grandstand seating for audiences. Such a different atmosphere when the place is packed to the brim with revellers, but it doesn't detract from the experience one single bit. Oh no. Quiet or bustling, Merrion Square is a precious patch of earth. read more

Merrion Square - Merrion Square bustling with festival crowds! - Parks Near Me - Dublin, D

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I love this park and feel so lucky to have this in my "backyard" for over two years while living in Dublin. You could pretty much find me here every weekend, without exaggeration. This is my favorite of the city parks and a park where I spent so much time with my son from the time after he just learned to walk and was stumbling through the grassy central part of the park, dodging flower displays, until he was zipping down the pathways on his strider bike. This is such a photogenic park all throughout the year. Whether it be the ever changing flower displays, the statues strewn throughout the park or the beautiful foliage and pathways. In summer the trees are so full, you can barely see outside the park and you feel transported out of the city center. The flower displays are in full form. In fall, you can crunch through the fallen color changing leaves. In winter, the trees start to look sparse, transforming the park to view the Georgian landscapes behind it. In spring, the trees begin to fill out once again, the tulips are on display and the park returns to its beautiful summer form. Don't miss the Oscar Wilde statues, the children's park (recent upgraded in summer 2014), mole hill and weekend artists display along the fences. read more

I live very close to Stephen's Green, so I have inevitably spent a lot of time there, especially with the recent bout of incredible weather. However, my boyfriend recently suggested we check out Merrion Square Park and I am so glad we did! This park is an absolute gem. It's very lush and it's completely surrounded by tall trees so it feels very secluded and, I like to think, a bit magical. The old fashioned street lamps, whimsical bronze chair-sculpture (have a seat, it's comfy and makes a great photo!), colorful flowers, and winding paths really seal the deal. It's small, but the paths that lead here and there to different areas of the park and make it feel larger and explore-able. It's a lot less visible and visited than the Green, and you can often find yourself totally alone, at least for a few minutes. It's a really lovely little park and it's become our new favorite hang out. read more

Merrion Square - Parks Near Me - Dublin, D

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This is my favourite statue in Dublin. Strictly speaking it is part of 'The Oscar Wilde Memorial', but I have separated her from Oscar, (not to steal his thunder, I love Oscar, and think his statue is fabulous), because I think she deserves special mention. There are 2 granite plinths each with separate bronze sculptures, in front of Oscar perched on a rock, (who some know as "the Fag on the Crag"), on one is a naked male torso, which may plausibly represent 'art', and this pregnant young woman, who may equally plausibly represent 'Life'. The whole group is the work of Cork artist Danny Osborne, and was unveiled in 1997, sited in the northwest corner of Merrion Square opposite the house on the corner number one, where Oscar's family lived 1855-76. This pregnant woman kneeling & looking alost mermaid-like, has always struck me as being incredibly beautiful & visually striking, and even for a 2 foot high or so statue, for me she definitely upstages Oscar, what would he say? No doubt a wittier response than even his most familiar quips that are inscribed on each of the two plinths. According to who you believe she may be either a representation of Constance Wilde, Oscar's wife. who he married in 1884, or even his mother Lady Jane Francesca, who was pregnant with a girl Isola when the one-year old Oscar & his family moved into the square. The 28 year old Constance was said to be 6 months pregnant with Oscars 2nd son Vyvyan when Oscar was having his first homosexual affair! Mmm. When I first saw this statue around 1999 she was positioned in such a way as to have her back to Oscar's statue, many speculated that she was casting him a reproachful glance over her right hand shoulder, but she has since moved! I didn't see her for about 3 years until last year when I was even more struck than usual by her, as she had changed position on the plinth, and now has her "bump" positioned toward Oscar, with her head inclined away from him. Whats all this about? I can't find any explanation for this "move". Whether the artist reacted to the speculation that she was looking back distainfully at Oscar, that's another description I heard? But some might say that now she looks away from him in hopeless despair! For me she looks vulnerable, and uncertain, but what pregnant woman wouldn't be if exposed naked on a plinth in central Dublin! As she is a talking point allow me to throw another dubious & interesting explanation in! In Shakespeare's 'The Winters Tale' jealous King Leontes accuses his heavily pregnant wife Hermione of adultery, she is tried but found innocent by the oracle. Leontes refuses to accept the oracle, and later Hermione is reported to have died along with her newborn child. Leontes eventually realizing his poor judgment goes sorrowfully to pay homage to a statue of Hermione kept by Paulina, a lady of her court. With Leontes looking on Paulina "awakens" the statue with music, and Hermione moves & speaks. Well she has moved! I don't really believe that Danny Osborne had Shakespeare in mind, nor that she looks reproachful etc..I just think she is SO beautiful. Actually a mate of mine tells me that he knows her as "Knocked-up Nora" Oh who knows, or cares who she is, or why she has moved, or indeed whether we'll ever find out? It's such a wonderful statue. In the words of Oscar Wilde: "The suspense is terrible. I hope it will last!" read more

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It has a really fun small kids area. Lots of walking trails. The flowers are beautiful and the place is lush. There are grassy areas in the open to enjoy the sun - when it is out. Tip: Sundays they have art vendors around the outside of the square. Worth a walk and enjoy the art! read more

Merrion Square - Parks Near Me - Dublin, D

I love going to Merrion Square, which is laid out in the 1760s and is open public all year round. Many historic and well tended houses are found here. You will find formers residents houses such as as Daniel O'Connell (no. 50); William Butler Yeats (no. 82); George Russell (no. 84); and Oscar Wilde and his parents (no.1). Also in the summer months Artists sell their paintings along a raling outside the park. My best feature is the statue of Oscar Wilde reclining on the rock, look out for it. read more

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This is a beautiful park in a pleasant part of town. The park is safe and patrolled regularly. You may encounter a few lads having cans of cider on the lawn, but they won't cause any trouble. The park security is good at keeping the skangers out; the rough types go over to Mountjoy Park and get drunk there. The park has lovely walkways and beautiful sculpture throughout. Be sure you find the statue of Oscar Wilde. He has been re-created out of several types of coloured marble and he looks positively life-like! Also, the Georgian buildings surrounding Merrion Square have beautiful doorways. Bring your camera. Bus access is easy because many Dublin Bus routes use Merrion Square as their terminus. read more

Merrion Square - only five minutes from Stephen's Green, yet with a completely different atmosphere, being far quieter than its neighbout. Wander through the maze of hedged walkways, grab a piece of grass and settle down with a book, your lunch, bing the kids, look at statues including that of Oscar Wilde, or just relax...if you can get a nice day that is! One of the highlights of this square is the weekend art sale/exhibition...mosey along the outside and take a look at art encompassing everything from sketched caricatures of Bono to watercolour landscapes. Although not exactly a good idea on one of the many many rainy days, if you can catch a few rays, it's a good place to go. It also plays host to festivals such as the Street Performance World Championships, which is always good for a laugh!!! read more

Fantastic Park nestled away in Dublin 2; an oasis right in the city. Great park which is spacious yet not too big; it's a regular for families, groups, cosy couples as well as joggers and those getting up to anything and everything, only yesterday I seen 2 guys set up a tight rope between trees; very cool! This park is also a popular spot for weekend festivals, from food markets, city spectacular events, street performer displays, etc. I only live 5 mins walk from here, by sure this summer I will be making more use of this beauty ;-) read more

Its a maze of smaller greens...always somewhere to hide or enjoy the peace on a sunny lunchtime. Its even nice in the rain with the smell of all the greenery and the changing of the seasons Central, quiet and calming read more

I love it here, it's quiet, it's well-maintained, it's pretty and there are some cool statues/monuments peppered about to stop and have a quick nosey at - Henry Grattan, Michael Collins, Oscar Wilde and a chair/throne monument dedicated to Dermot Morgan to name a few. It's right across from the National Gallery and close to St Stephen's Green, so it's perfect for some sight-seeing. read more

Pretty much as per the other reviews: Merrion Square is the smaller and the quieter of Dublin's two city squares, and is grand for a quiet stroll when you want to clear your head and Stephen's Green is too full. One little anecdote, though: Merrion Square was for years in the possession of the Catholic Church, who had intended to build a cathedral on the site. This was scuppered by squabbles amongst the clergy, and the park remained closed to the public for many years while the arguments continued, until it was gifted to the city about 35 years ago, and then finally opened to the public about 25 years ago, the park being officially known as "Archbishop Ryan Park", as it is to this day. Some planning official in Dublin Corporation (as it was then) must have had a sense of humour, as they erected a statue of the distinguished writer and famously gay Oscar Wilde in the park (Wilde was once a resident of the square itself). A statue of a sodomite in a park named after a bishop?!? His Grace must be spinning in his grave, while "The Fag on the Crag" perches merrily on his rock, blissfully oblivious to all the posthumous trouble he caused. read more

I love walking through this park. Close to the city centre and surrounded by gorgeous Georgian buildings makes this a great place to visit and admire Dublin architecture and enjoy the lush greenery. read more

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I love this place, not just because of the statue of Oscar lounging, gazing at his childhood home or some of my favorite writers probably spent time here, but because of the fact once you step through the gates you feel as if you have been transported from a bustling Dublin street to a place outside the city. While St. Stephen's is bigger and has a swan or two, Merrion Square calls me back time and time again with its perfect blend of wooded areas and wide open grassy spaces. Plus it is never as busy as the Green. so it is perfect for sitting on a bench, curling up with a little lunch, coffee, tea, treat or whatever and a book, especially now the weather is not quite as cold. Oh yes, and the artist market on the weekends is delightful and a wonderful way to spend the morning. read more

Merrion Square is the perfect city park. The list of reasons is endless. First look at the photo evidence, beautiful flowers, vibrant festivals, Oscar Wilde lounging on a rock. Merrion Square is laid out in such a way that although it's a small park you could easily spend half an hour wandering and discovering new corners to explore.There are wide open spaces, hills to tumble down, strikingly beautiful flower beds, one the coolest playgrounds I've ever seen, curious public art and secluded areas to canoodle in. Throughout the year Merrion Square hosts a variety of festivals as well as regular outdoor film screenings by the Happenings and a Thursday food market. And if it starts to rain you can take cover in the Natural History Museum or The Gingerman. read more

When I compare this to its neighbor, Stephen's Green, I have to give it five stars. It is everything that Stephen's Green is not. Not even five minutes walk, and it's a tourist-free neighborhood. Out of my price range, of course, but a beautiful neighborhood. And of course the park reflects the elegance of the houses around it. The park is nice even on a dreary day (an important feature in this fine city) but it is stunning in the sun. And, somehow, less crowded than you might think. Except on festival days, but those have their own appeal: Art sales (often tacky, sometimes worthwhile) on the weekends. Street Performance World Championships whenever they schedule that thing. And I'm sure many more. read more

Always lots going on here - from the comparative hum-drum of the Art sale every weekend on the railings outside to the bonkers world street performance championships (http://www.yelp.ie/biz/street-performance-world-championships-dublin#query:world%20street%20preformance%20championships). It is an utterly pleasant and relaxing place to wander around! read more

Writers are deified in Ireland; Joyce, Beckett, Behan, Synge et all are paid tribute ad nauseum. Their shadows dominate large and distinct chunks of Dublin City, areas that reflect either their craft, life or demise. So, just as Kavanagh sits contemplatively along the canal, Merrion Square houses tributes to wit. Wilde and Morgan are both paid tribute in this, the less serious of Dublins two main greens. Somewhat ironically, Wilde has to make do with lounging on a rock while Fr. Teds monument is, in fact, a chair. It's also home to the Street Performance World Championships for one glorious weekend every year. Some of the most talented performers in the world descend upon the park for free or 'whatever you have to spare' fun. The houses around the square have themselves had a few notable residents, including; W.B. Yeats, Daniel O'Connell and Wilde himself. read more

I love this park! It's a great place to soak up some rays on a sunny day or to escape the hustle and bustle of the city just outside the gates. There's even free "opera in the park" events during the summer. Check it out! My only complaint is that there aren't many benches in some areas of the park. But there is tons of grassy space! read more

Merrion Square Park is another fine example of the many quality public green areas in Dublin City. Its probably is one of the more manicured parks too. The flower bed displays are very impressive; even now they are as I remembered, well structure and bursting with colour. It's also one of the quieter parks in the city. The North side of the park would have the most traffic streaming by, so if you want less noise, stick to the other sides of the park would be my suggestion. When I first moved to Dublin I worked in a building on the South side of the park. Looking back, it was a privilege to have such a nice place to stroll through everyday. Alas not as much anymore, I must make more of an effort. Oh and it was also the place I saw an urban fox for the first time :) read more

Lovely and peaceful place. I lucked out and had great weather while I was there so I spent the afternoon walking around and enjoying the scenery and quiet time. And of course I had to take photos of the Oscar Wilde statue! read more

Merrion Square - Visiting Oscar Wilde while in Dublin! - Parks Near Me - Dublin, D

Merrion Square is one of many public parks in Dublin, its about a 10min walk away from Grafton street. Its one of my favourite parks in Dublin. Its surrounded by lots of tall trees, flower beds and green grass. Merrion Square had lots of residential housesover 50 years ago, but today its mostly offices found there. Many years ago at No.1 Oscar Wilde's parents used to live there. The square also has artists sell their paintings there. Merrion Square is the ideal place to go relax, take a walk around and to enjoy the nature around you. read more

I've always admired parks and gardens since childhood as there was none where I grew up, so I've spent a lot of time visiting various gardens and parks on my travels, and Merrion is one of my favourite ones in Dublin. It's quite near where I live, and in summer there's lots of people and youngsters playing Pokemon Go here as it has a few Poke Stops (~5-6), but it's not as crowded at St. Stephen's Green and has a nice playground area for children. The central area is very well maintained with beautiful flowers and the lawn is cut and ready to be sat on for those lazy summer days! There are also a few benches and plenty of trees for shade. In summer, there's also an Ice-cream truck, something which you don't see too often! The park is open pretty late in summer until around 9 or 9:30 pm with the longer days, but it closes earlier in Winter around 4:30. I also see an art sale just outside the park occasionally. The park is not as big as St. Stephen's, but for beauty and a nice atmosphere, it's a great venture and only around 10-15 mins walk from the city centre. There is also a Dublin Bikes station just outside the park. read more

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