Explore Dublin’s Green Spaces – St Stephen’s Green & Iveagh Gardens

One of my favourite surprises in Dublin was how much green space there is right in the middle of the city. Between busy streets and historic buildings, you’ll find peaceful gardens and parks where locals relax and visitors can slow down for a while. Two of the loveliest are St Stephen’s Green and the lesser-known Iveagh Gardens.

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St Stephen’s Green

We walked through St Stephen’s Green more than once, usually on our way somewhere else but each time it was lovely to see.

A peaceful pond in St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin, surrounded by leafy trees. A seagull perches on a low-hanging branch above the still water, with a path and iron railing visible to the left.

It’s a large, beautifully maintained park with ponds, bridges, statues and plenty of places to sit.

There were people everywhere – friends chatting, others reading on the grass, families feeding ducks – and it gave us a little glimpse of everyday Dublin life.

Peaceful scene in St Stephen’s Green with a willow tree draping over a reflective pond, surrounded by lush greenery and a curved footpath where people are sitting and relaxing.

The statues and memorials were particularly interesting for us and each one told a part of Ireland’s story. Scattered around are monuments to writers, leaders and events from Irish history.

You’ll see W. B. Yeats and James Joyce, celebrated for shaping Irish literature, and Theobald Wolfe Tone, leader of the 1798 rebellion.

  • Bronze bust of James Joyce on a tall stone pedestal in St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin. The pedestal is engraved with his name, lifespan (1882–1941), and the quote: “Crossing Stephen’s, that is my green...” surrounded by leafy trees and grass.
  • Statue of poet James Clarence Mangan set in a flowerbed, surrounded by green trees and plants. The bust sits atop a stone pedestal with a sculpted relief of a woman beneath the name “J. MANGAN.”
  • Bust of Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore mounted on a tall stone plinth in a quiet, tree-lined area of St. Stephen’s Green. The plinth is inscribed with his name and dates: 1861–1941, set on a circular cobblestone base.

There’s also the moving Famine Memorial, a group of bronze figures that quietly remembers one of the country’s darkest times.

Modern bronze sculpture of thin, abstract human figures and a dog, part of the Famine Memorial in Dublin. The emaciated forms are positioned against a backdrop of tall stone slabs, evoking the suffering of the Great Irish Famine.

Near the centre stands the Fusiliers’ Arch, built in 1907 to commemorate soldiers from the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who fought in the Boer War. It serves as one of the park’s main entrances and is sometimes called Dublin’s own miniature Arc de Triomphe.

We didn’t stop for long, but walked through it, watched the ducks and took in the statues before heading back out to the bustle of the streets.

Illustrated map of St Stephen’s Green in Dublin, showing its landscaped layout with key features like lakes, fountains, sculptures, and tree-lined walking paths, bordered by surrounding streets.

Iveagh Gardens

Within walking distance is the smaller Iveagh Gardens, a hidden corner of tranquillity. It’s located behind Iveagh House, once owned by the Guinness family – as was the park – and featured in the recent Netflix series The House of Guinness.

A waterfall cascades over a stone ledge in St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin, framed by manicured greenery and trees. A gravel clearing and a low fence surround the feature, creating a quiet spot within the city park.

They were originally designed in the 1860s as part of the Dublin International Exhibition of 1865, showcasing culture, industry and horticulture. Many of the garden’s current features, including the sunken lawns and ornamental fountains, date back to that time.

Later, the land was gifted to the city by the Guinness family so that the gardens could remain open for the public to enjoy. The exhibition centre is no longer there.

  • Natural woodland area within Iveagh Gardens featuring a gnarled, hollow tree at a fork in a dirt path, surrounded by dense green foliage and undergrowth.
  • A wide grassy lawn in St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin, with a central fountain surrounded by benches and trees. The early evening sky is visible through the overhanging tree branches in the foreground.

The gardens have a rockery and waterfall, ponds and hidden woodland paths, a sunken garden, a mini-maze and a few statues, some broken, some not.

  • A headless classical-style statue stands beside a quiet gravel path surrounded by dense greenery in Iveagh Gardens, lending a mysterious and aged charm to the scene.
  • This is a statue of Irish tenor John McCormack, located in Dublin’s Iveagh Gardens. He’s shown mid-performance, holding sheet music, surrounded by pinecones—and apparently a fan left a bottle too!

It’s a fun park to take children to explore without being too big and makes for a good break between sight-seeing.

When we visited there was hardly anyone there at all. If you’re looking for a quiet, hidden spot to slow down, this is one of Dublin’s best-kept secrets. Entrance is free but it closes before evening. See times here.

llustrated map and welcome sign for Iveagh Gardens, showing key attractions like the waterfall, maze, and fountains, with visitor information in both Irish and English.

Another lovely park in Dublin is Merrion Square Park, a little smaller than St Stephen’s Green but bigger than Iveagh Gardens. It has similar features to St Stephen’s Green and a statue of Oscar Wilde. It is within walking distance of the National Gallery of Ireland.

Conclusion on St Stephen’s Green and Iveagh Gardens

Whether you’re wandering through St Stephen’s Green watching the ducks or discovering the hidden waterfall in Iveagh Gardens, these parks show a calmer, softer side of Dublin.

They’re free, easy to reach on foot and a lovely way to take a breather during a busy day of sightseeing.

You can read more about our day trips here:

👛 Money-saving tip: Go City Dublin Pass 🚌 🎟️
If you’re planning a few paid attractions in a day, take a look at the Go City Dublin Pass (1–5 days). Includes attractions like Dublinia, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, Guinness Storehouse, Jameson, Christ Church Cathedral and a hop-on hop-off bus.
➡️ Get your Go City Dublin Pass here 🚌 🎟️

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