Phoenix Park Visitor Centre & Ashtown Castle

Admission is free to a lively and entertaining self guiding exhibition on the history and the wildlife of the Phoenix Park which is on display in the Visitor Centre. Here the visitor can enjoy a historical interpretation of the park from 3500 B.C. to the present day and can also view a 20 minute audio-visual presentation on the Phoenix Park through the ages or on the history of Áras an Uachtaráin. A lift and stairs access the first floor of the Visitor Centre where there are further exhibits and a nature section. There is also an Exhibition Room for visiting art exhibitions where exhibitions in various media and art and craft demonstrations take place regularly.

Adjoining the Visitor Centre is the fully restored Ashtown Castle, a medieval tower house that probably dates from the 17th century.

There is also a restaurant, Phoenix Café, in the grounds of the Visitor Centre and a courtyard for eating al fresco.

Every Sunday morning free children's workshops on nature awareness, history and heritage and arts and crafts take place, suitable for ages 5+, between 10.30am - 12.30pm. Materials are provided and adult supervision is required.

Free admission tickets are issued at the Visitor Centre to visit Áras an Uachtaráin on Saturdays only.

Group and/or advance booking is not possible.

Closed 24th/25th/26th December.

Guided Tours: 10.15am to 4pm Summer & 10.30am to 3.30pm Winter.

For confirmation please phone the Visitor Centre + 353 1 677 0095.

Talks/Walks and other events are arranged at the Visitor Centre throughout the year.

General Visitor Information:

Address: Phoenix Park, Dublin 8

Telephone No: +353 1 677 0095

Fax No: +353 1 672 6454

E-mail: phoenixparkvisitorcentre@opw.ie

Location

4km from centre of Dublin in the Phoenix Park, signposted from the Phoenix Monument.

Bus Routes

Bus 37, 38, 39 and 70 from Hawkins Street to the Halfway House Roundabout on Navan Road. Enter the park by the Ashtown Gate, walk approximately 190 metres to the T-junction and turn left, walk for about 10 mins until you reach the building on your left, the pathway on the right-hand side leads you towards the trees and the back gate of Ashtown Castle.

No. 10 from O´Connell Street to NCR Gate (30 min walk from Gate).

Train

Dublin Connolly to Ashtown station.

Opening Arrangements:

March - October / Open 7 days a week 10.00am - 6.00pm.

Last Admission 5.15 pm.

November - February / Open 7 days a week 9.30am - 5.30pm.

Last Admission 4.45pm.

Average Length of Visit: 1 hour.

Admission Charges: Free.

Books and publications available at the Visitor Centre

The Phoenix Park - An illustrated History of the Phoenix Park, Landscape and Management to 1880
The Phoenix Park Murders
The Phoenix Park - A History and Guide Book
Wild Plants of the Phoenix Park
Áras an Uachtaráin - A History of the President's House
Phoenix Park Prints