Herbert Park – Ballsbridge’s green mile

Overview

Herbert Park’s duck pond started out as a fairground ride. It was dug as a “Canadian Waterchute” for the 1907 Dublin International Exhibition, which filled these 32 acres of Ballsbridge for a single summer; the ornate bandstand on the southern side dates from the same fair, and almost everything else was taken down before the park opened to the public in 1907. A full lap of the perimeter runs almost exactly one mile (1.57 km), which is why the same joggers pass the pond at the same point every morning. Herbert Park Road splits the grounds into a larger southern half along the River Dodder and a quieter northern half, with formal gardens, two playgrounds, sports pitches and a Sunday food market between them. Entry is free.

If you’ve only twenty minutes, stay on the southern side: the bandstand, the pond and the cherry-blossom walk all sit within a few hundred metres of each other. The catch is parking – there’s no car park, and the on-street spaces on Herbert Park Road only come free after 2pm on weekdays.

History

The site was originally a marshy tract known as the “Forty Acres”. From the early 13th century it belonged to the Augustinian Priory of All Hallows, later becoming part of the Fitzwilliam Estate. The Herbert family – the Earls of Pembroke – held the ground by the 19th century, and the 14th Earl of Pembroke handed the 32 acres to Pembroke Urban District Council in 1903; the park carries the family name.

In 1907 the Dublin International Exhibition was held here. Its “Canadian Waterchute” needed a purpose-built pond, which survives as the park’s duck pond, and the ornate bandstand on the southern side dates from the same fair. Once the temporary structures came down, the park opened to the public in 1907. Dublin Corporation took over in 1932, and today it is maintained by Dublin City Council.

What to see and do

Bandstand

The Edwardian bandstand is still the focal point of the southern half, its wrought-iron columns and decorative roof a leftover from the 1907 fair. It had a cameo in Phil Lynott’s “Old Town” video, and after a restoration finished in late 2025 it is back in use for occasional concerts and community events.

Duck pond and wildlife

The pond, built for the exhibition, now holds Common and Mirror carp alongside resident ducks, swans and the occasional heron. It was drained for a major clean and re-stocked in 2009, and makes a quiet spot for a few minutes’ birdwatching.

Gardens and cherry blossom

April is the month to come: the cherry trees flower along the walks, and the formal gardens fill with seasonal beds. There is also a marked native tree trail, with a guide you can download from Dublin City Council.

Playgrounds

Two play areas cover different ages – the older, smaller one at the southern end near the pond, and a refurbished northern playground with modern equipment and a rubber-surfaced area for younger children.

Sports

Herbert Park packs in a lot of active space:

• All-weather pitch – for football, rugby and casual games.
• Soccer pitch – the largest field, on the south side.
• Six tennis courts – free, first come first served.
• Bowling green – home to the Herbert Park Bowling Club.
• Boules and croquet courts – for the niche sports.
• Outdoor gym – basic fitness equipment and monkey bars.
• The Hive – a bookable space used for yoga, pilates, dance, drama and meetings.

Sunday food market and dining

Every Sunday from 11am to 4pm the park hosts a food market: artisan breads, cheeses, fresh produce, pickles and hot food from paella to crepes, set up along the gravel paths. Entry is free and it makes a good lunch stop.

During the week, Lolly & Cooks runs a café in the park (daily 9am–6pm), doing pastries, salads and their “Savage Roll”. Just outside, Ballsbridge Terrace has options like Kites (Chinese) and The Lobster Pot (seafood) for a proper post-walk meal.

Practical information

Opening hours

The park opens daily at 10am, with closing times that track the daylight:

Some gates start to close about 30 minutes early to allow time for locking up.

Parking

There is no dedicated car park. On-street parking on Herbert Park Road is free after 2pm on weekdays and free all day at weekends, subject to local signage. Paid options nearby include the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road (135 spaces, €3 per hour) and APCOA at the RDS on Simmonscourt Road (€7 for two hours).

Getting there

• Car – via the R118 or Elgin Road; main entrance on Herbert Park Road, secondary entrance on Herbert Park Lane.
• DART – Lansdowne Road station is a 16-minute walk.
• Dublin Bus – routes 4, 7, 7A, 7E, 27X and S2 stop near the American Embassy and the RDS.
• Bike – bike racks inside the park; the nearest Dublin Bikes docking station is at Wilton Terrace.

Facilities

Accessibility

The park is wheelchair-accessible throughout: paths are level and well maintained, the main entrances have ramps, and the routes suit pushchairs.

Dogs

Dogs are welcome on a lead. There are no off-leash areas, so keep them under control near the pond, the playgrounds and the Sunday market.

Nearby attractions

Herbert Park is a short walk from the Aviva Stadium, the RDS Arena and the Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club. For a longer outing, cycle south along the Dodder towards Sandymount Strand and the Poolbeg lighthouse walk, with wide views over Dublin Bay, or pick up a city-centre bus on Morehampton Road.