Merrion Square Park

When you see the statue of Oscar Wilde lounging on a rock, you've arrived at Merrion Square Park.
It won't take you long to settle back and take in the Georgian architecture that frames the garden while you relax on the grassy surroundings.
One of the most attractive images in the city can be found at the Sunday market, where everything from the century-old lamps to the bright paintings placed on the railings creates the impression that time has stood still.

In Merrions Square park visitors can take a break after experiencing the excitement and have a good time, enjoying the Dublin’s Georgian architecture in central Dublin. Notable features of the park include a collection of old Dublin lamp posts, amazing central floral gardens, many fine sculptures, garden and playground.

History

Merrion Square Park is one of the finest and most intact examples of Georgian urban design in Dublin city. The construction of the Georgian houses at Merrion Square began in 1762 and continued for 30 years.

Merrion Square soon became a fashionable address for the aristocracy and the professional classes. Oscar Wilde, WB Yeats, George Russell and Daniel O'Connell all called the square home at one point.

The park was purchased from the Pembroke Estate by the Roman Catholic Church in 1930 as a site for a cathedral. However, this project never materialised and in 1974 the then Archbishop, Dermot Ryan, transferred the land to Dublin Corporation for use as a public park.