It is hard to miss St. Stephen’s Green when in Dublin, Ireland. This enormous park is one of the most visited places in the Irish capital. Spread over almost 22 acres of land, the park is dotted with an extensive plantation of trees of various varieties, vast stretches of lush greens, a children’s play area, and a beautiful water body with swimming ducks, flying pelicans, and pigeons crowding the surrounding fence. Numerous statues and busts of celebrated Irish personalities have been sculpted at intercepting corners in the park in their memory.
St. Stephen’s Green is a beautiful Victorian layout. Some 750 trees and shrubs contribute to its green cover. It is a paradise for botanists and horticulturists, and a quiet escape from the city’s madding crowd. It is interesting to find people idling their leisure hours on the side benches amidst nature, mothers taking their toddlers and infants in strollers for long, refreshing walks down the park, the health freaks indulging in marathon walks, the children giggling away playfully in the play area, and the visitors engaging in curious conversations about the Park’s history that dates back to the mid-1600s.
The landscaped, picture-perfect greenery that you see today was once a marshy area that was used for witch burnings and public execution. It is horrifying to learn about the Park’s sinister past. The Park takes its name after a famous church – St. Stephen’s – that once stood here on this land in the 13th century. Later, the Park was developed and opened to the public in 1880. The upscale Grafton and Dawson Streets in the vicinity made St. Stephen’s Green a popular place. Eventually, in later years, this massive green space had many high-end properties surrounding it. Despite that, it is infinitely calmer and a haven for those seeking peace and tranquility.
The Green is also witness to the great Irish Uprising, also known as the Easter Rebellion as it took place during Easter week in April of 1916. The Irish Citizen Army, under the leadership of Michael Mallin and Constance Markiewicz, attempted to overthrow the British in Dublin. The Army had taken strategic positions at various places in the city, including St. Stephen’s Green. Bullet holes at the northwest entrance of the park bear testimony to this chapter in Irish history.
Highlights You Can’t Miss
The Archway Entrance — The Fusiliers’ Arch is at the Grafton Street corner and commemorates the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who died during the Second Boer War. During the Easter Rising, many bullets got lodged in the walls of the arch at some point during the warfare; the bullet holes can still be seen at the Fusiliers’ Arch.
The Statues — St. Stephen’s Green commemorates the crowning achievement of many of Ireland’s forefathers whose names got inked in history. On the west side of the park, you find the statue of the noted Irish philanthropist and entrepreneur Arthur Edward Guinness who had purchased the park and then donated it to the City so that the park no longer remained a private property but could be accessed and enjoyed by everyone — residents and visitors. The other sculptures include those of James Joyce, the Irish poet, novelist, and critic; Theobald Wolfe Tone, leader of the 1798 rebellion; and a bust of Constance Markiewicz.
The Natural Ecosystem — Spend some blissful hours in the lap of nature here at the Green’s. The park is a pretty picture with all its flora and fauna. You can find a vibrant, colorful display of plants like tulips, petunias, and geraniums. The serene lake amid the park is home to several water fowls like ducks, swans, moorhens, and fish of many varieties. Pigeons and white doves line up on the fence as they intently watch the passersby. Besides, there is a section in the park with aromatic shrubs and herbs with labels in Braille for the blind.
Address, Phone & How to Reach
St. Stephen’s Green park is open to the public every day all year round. From Mondays to Saturdays, it is open from 7:30 am to dusk. On Sundays and bank holidays, it is open from 9:30 am to dusk. Sundown time varies with seasons and months. Admission is free.
It is never too difficult to find your way to St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin. It is a historic place that is close to several more iconic landmarks like the Dublin Castle, the National Gallery of Ireland, Trinity College, and the Little Museum of Dublin (this one overlooks the Park). The address is St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland. For queries or feedback on the Park, you can call +353 1 475 7816 or write to parkmanager@opw.ie.
Nearby bus stations are St. Stephen’s Green East, Stops 842, 843, and 844; Merrion Row Stop, Huguenot Cemetery Stop, St. Stephen’s Green North, and Stephen’s Court. Harcourt is a light rail station that is a 3-minute walk from St. Stephen’s Green East.
