National Botanic Gardens - Plan Your Visit

Dublin's Botanic Gardens

The National Botanic Gardens has been a favourite location for Dubliners to while away the hours on a sunny summer’s afternoon or to take their Sunday stroll for many generations. The gardens are located 3km to the north west of the city centre and are spread out over 20 hectares of grounds. They date back to the end of the 18th century and many of the greenhouses survive from that period and are considered to be of architectural significance; including the Palm House (built in 1896), the Aquatic House, the Cactus House and the Fern House.

The gardens display a number of different plant habitats including a rose garden, bog garden, arboretum, a rockery and a herbaceous border. The gardens also serve as an important centre for horticultural research in Ireland. There is also a vegetable garden. Also based on the grounds of the Botanic Gardens is the National Herbarium which houses over 20,000 plant products.

There is now also a direct gateway link between the Botanic Gardens and neighbouring Glasnevin Cemetery, so you can visit both on the one trip.

 

Guided Tours are available for individuals as well as groups and schools.

 

 

Tearooms

The Botanic Gardens are free to enter and there is a very nice café called The Garden Tearooms, which provides lovely views of the Gardens to enjoy with your cup of tea. The Tearooms provides teas and coffees, cakes and buns as well as sandwiches and hot lunches. There is plenty room for kids,a kids menu is available, and it is wheelchair accessible.

There is a Visitor Centre located beside the tearooms which regularly holds exhibitions on all subjects to do with botany and horticulture. You can also view a short film presentation about the Botanic Gardens which is available to view at any time (subject to availability) and is available in English, Irish, French, German, Spanish and Italian.

Information leaflets are available in French German as well as in English.

 

Reviews for Botanic Gardens

This place serves as a centre for horticultural research and training, including the breeding of many prized orchids. Entrance is free and it’s really really nice when you go in the right season and you can see the flowers. I did go off season as well and it’s very good. I’ve been there a couple of times and now just writing about it makes me want to go again!

I've never seen such a gorgeous garden in my whole life. So big that you could just stay there for hours and never get tired of everything you see. You will find a great variety of plants, flowers, trees. The colors are just amazing, the trees so tall and beautiful, and even the squirrels let you taken them pictures (if you give them food haha). Totally worth it, and if you have time, please go to the glasnevin cemetery that is just beside de garden.

Super day out with family. Our tour guide Pauline was very informative, answered many questions my daughters asked and had shown us all the gems of the botanic gardens in a short time. I recommend booking the tour in advance.

 

Opening Hours

The Botanic Gardens are open 7 days a week, 364 days a year and are only closed on Christmas Day. From March they start their Summer Opening Hours which is from 10am-5pm and their Winter opening hours are 9am-4.30pm weekdays and 10am-4.30pm on weekends and public holidays. For more information please see the attractions website.

 

Getting to the Botanic Gardens

Bus

Dublin Bus has many routes passing by the museum. Check dublinbus.ie for details.

Routes that pass directly by the Botanic Gardens include;

No.4 (Harristown – Ballymun – Botanic Avenue – Phibsboro Shopping Centre – O’Connell St – Pembroke Road – Blackrock – Stradbrook)
No.9 (Limekiln Avenue – South Circular Road – O’Connell St – Botanic Road – Beneavin Road – Charlestown)
No.83 (Kimmage {Sundrive road, Rathmines} – Harristown {Ballygall Road East})
No.155 (IKEA (Ballymun) – Ballymun Rd. – Botanic Ave. – Phibsboro – O’Connell St. – Donnybrook – Cabinteely – Bray Rail Station)

Cycling

Cycling is a great way to get to the National Botanic Gardens. You can park your bike at the bicycle stand beside the entrance.