Dublin Zoo | Dublin

Overview

Dublin Zoo sits on the western edge of Phoenix Park, one of Europe’s largest urban parks. The zoo now occupies about 60 acres (≈24 ha) – roughly 28 hectares – of the park and welcomes more than a million visitors each year. It showcases over 400 animals representing more than 100 species, with a strong focus on education, research and global conservation programmes.

The layout is divided into themed habitats that mimic natural environments – from the sweeping African Savanna to the mist‑shrouded Himalayan Hills. Recent additions include the Nocturnal House (2023) and the historic Rainforest House, which reopened in April 2026 after a major refurbishment.

Belfast Zoo , Co. Antrim - Giraffe enjoying the visitors Courtesy of Tourism Northern Ireland

History

Founded as the Zoological Gardens Dublin, the zoo opened on 1 September 1831 after the Royal Zoological Society of Dublin was established on 10 May 1830. The original collection – 46 mammals and 72 birds – came from London Zoo and the Royal Menagerie of the Tower of London. Early on the zoo reduced the Sunday entrance fee to one penny, making it accessible to working‑class families.

The zoo’s conception can be traced back to the Rotunda Hospital, where a group of physicians proposed a public zoological garden in 1830 as a source of both education and, at the time, a supply of animal specimens for medical study. Over the centuries the zoo has evolved from a Victorian menagerie into a modern conservation‑focused institution.

Key milestones:

1844 – First giraffe arrived.
1919 – First lion cub born.
1876 – Reptile House opened.
1916 – Zoo survived the Easter Rising despite meat shortages.
1997 – Expansion of 13 hectares funded by a government grant.
2001‑2023 – Series of habitat projects (African Plains, Kaziranga Forest Trail, Gorilla Rainforest, etc.).
2023 – Nocturnal House opened.
2025 – Hippo Imani underwent Ireland’s first successful cataract surgery (December 2025).
2026 – Historic Rainforest House (1860s) reopened; Animal Welfare Master Plan launched ahead of the bicentennial in 2031.

What to See & Do

African Savanna – 13‑hectare grassland with giraffes, Grant’s zebras, ostriches, scimitar‑horned oryx and a southern white rhino.
Kaziranga Forest Trail – Home to eleven Asian elephants, waterfalls, mud baths and a breeding pair of blackbuck.
Gorilla Rainforest – Dense vegetation and private retreats for a troop of western‑lowland gorillas.
Orangutan Forest – Five‑times larger than the former home, featuring eleven towering trees and an 80 m × 20 m island for the orangutans.
Sea Lion Cove – Salt‑water habitat with daily underwater performances (summer weekdays 2:15 pm, winter weekends).
Himalayan Hills – Snow leopards and red pandas set against a Nepal‑style village backdrop.
Family Farm – Ireland’s smallest working farm where visitors can meet a beef cow, lambs, Tamworth pigs, pygmy goats, geese and a dairy cow that is milked daily. A playground and a farmhouse school offer hands‑on learning for children.
Nakuru Safari Train – A miniature train that circles the African Savanna, providing a fun way to view the large mammals.
World of Cats, Fringes of the Arctic, Zoorassic World, South American House, World of Primates and many more themed areas.

Events & Seasonal Highlights

Wild Lights (Nov‑Jan) – Over 30,000 LED lanterns create a winter wonderland; evening tickets sold separately.
Zoo Nights (summer evenings) – Extended hours, live music and night‑time talks.
Conservation Days, Family Fun Days, and World Animal Day promotions.

Practical Information

Opening hours – Open 363 days a year; closed on Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day. Seasonal hours are listed in the front‑matter.

Admission – Prices vary by age and purchase method; online tickets are €4‑€5 cheaper than gate prices. Family tickets and annual passes are available. A free entry for children under 3 and carers accompanying visitors with additional needs.

Getting there

Public transport – Dublin Bus route 99 runs seven days a week from Parkgate Street to the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre (9:00 am‑6:30 pm). Other routes (11, 11B, 38, 38a, 39, 70, 80, C5, C6) stop near the park’s perimeter. The nearest train/Luas stop is Heuston Station, about a 20‑minute walk through the park.
Car – No dedicated zoo car park; nearby options include Lord’s Walk (≈260 spaces, disabled bays) and the Cricket Grounds (≈120 spaces), both a two‑minute walk from the entrance. On‑street parking on North Road is first‑come‑first‑served.
Cycling – Wide, flat park paths are cycle‑friendly; bike racks are provided at the main entrance.

Food & Drink – Meerkat Restaurant, Nakuru Café and seasonal food stalls.

Facilities – Wheelchair hire, disabled parking, level‑access indoor exhibits, audio guides, large‑print signage, and ISL‑interpreted videos for selected talks.

Booking – Advance online tickets are recommended, especially during school holidays or special events. Group rates (10 + people) and education‑group pricing are available via the Discovery & Learning team.

Conservation & Education

Dublin Zoo is a member of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) and manages studbooks for the golden‑lion‑tamarin and Moluccan cockatoo. The National Centre for Species Survival (2023) underpins its global biodiversity work, including Asian elephant water‑hole enrichment, western‑lowland gorilla breeding and scimitar‑horned oryx re‑introduction pilots.

The zoo participates in more than 30 international conservation projects, ranging from anti‑poaching initiatives in Africa to habitat restoration in Southeast Asia. It also cares for over 2,000 plant species that create the naturalistic habitats visitors enjoy.

Live‑webcams let visitors watch elephants, penguins, sea lions and the African Savanna from anywhere in the world.

Nearby Attractions

A visit to Dublin Zoo can be combined with other Phoenix Park highlights such as the Visitor Centre and the Papyrus & Papyrus Museum. For a short drive north, consider the coastal estate of Ardgillan Castle with its gardens and beach, or explore the city centre’s historic sites.