Phoenix Park is a city park, one of the largest in Europe. There are extensive lawns and numerous alleys. You can meet a herd of wild fallow deer here, the park is also the seat of the Dublin Zoo. In the park there are, among others the president's residence, known as Áras an Uachtaráin, the obelisk in memory of Arthur Wellesley, and Ashtown Castle. You can also see an ancient tomb on Knockmary Hill, dating from 5500 BC
In 1662, a walled royal hunting park was established here, used to hunt pheasants and wild deer. Originally the park also owned the Kilmainham Priory estate south of the River Liffey, but twenty years later the park was reduced to its present size. It was opened to the people of Dublin by the Earl of Chesterfield in 1745.
The English name of the park comes from the Irish phrase "fionn uisce", meaning "clean water." The Irish Government is lobbying for UNESCO to declare the park a World Heritage Site.
Attractions inside
