Marlay Park

Overview

Marlay Park stretches over 300 acres of mature woodlands, ornamental gardens, ponds and open grassland just 9 km south of Dublin city centre. The park is a favourite weekend escape for locals and visitors alike, offering everything from gentle lakeside walks to a nine‑hole, par‑three golf course, tennis courts, six soccer pitches, five GAA pitches, a cricket ground, a dog park, two children’s playgrounds and a miniature railway run by the Dublin Society of Model and Experimental Engineers. A bustling craft courtyard, two coffee shops and a Saturday‑Sunday farmers’ market add a lively market‑town feel to the green space. Since 2000 the park has also become one of Ireland’s premier outdoor music venues, capable of holding up to 40,000 concert‑goers.

History

The land that now forms Marlay Park was originally the demesne of Marlay House. In the early 18th century Thomas Taylor bought about 12 ha and built a modest house called The Grange. In 1764 the property was purchased by David La Touche – the first governor of the Bank of Ireland – who renamed the house after his wife, Elizabeth Marlay, and embarked on an extensive Georgian makeover. La Touche added a ballroom with mountain views, a private theatre, an oval music room and laid out the ornamental and kitchen gardens that still frame the house today. Subsequent owners included ship‑owner Robert Tedcastle (who lost a ship named Marlay off Howth in 1902) and market‑gardener Philip Love, a leading tomato producer and race‑horse breeder whose horse Larkspur won the 1962 Epsom Derby. In 1972 Dublin County Council bought the estate for £500,000 and opened it as a regional park on 29 June 1975, an event officiated by Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave. The Georgian mansion, now known as Marlay House, remains a focal point for guided tours, meetings and occasional cultural events.

What to See & Do

Marlay House & Gardens

Marlay House is a fine example of late‑18th‑century Georgian architecture, featuring elaborate plasterwork by Michael Stapleton. Visitors can join free guided tours in summer or arrange a private visit at other times. The walled garden, created around 1794, is split into an ornamental section with herbaceous borders and shrub beds, and a Regency kitchen garden showcasing heirloom fruit trees and vegetables. Daily summer tours run through the garden, and the Head Gardener’s House now houses a year‑round café.

Laurelmore

A thatched‑style cottage‑or‑né built by the La Touche family, Laurelmore was restored in 2015 and now hosts the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland’s offices and gardening courses. Though only occasionally open to the public, its shadow makes a charming picnic spot.

Outdoor Activities

• Walking & Cycling: The 4 km Marlay Park Loop starts at the College Road car park and offers gentle elevation (≈88 m) with river views, woodland scenery and occasional mountain glimpses. The park also marks the official start of the 132 km Wicklow Way, which tunnels under the M50 before heading into the Dublin hills.
• Sports: A nine‑hole par‑three golf course (redesigned in 2010), tennis courts, soccer and GAA pitches, a cricket ground and a BMX track cater to all skill levels.
• Family Fun: Two large playgrounds (the main one built in 2009), a miniature railway operating on Saturday afternoons, and a dedicated off‑leash dog park make the venue especially kid‑friendly.
• Craft Courtyard: The 18th‑century stable yard now houses workshops for weaving, glass cutting, bookbinding, pottery, jewellery and more. The courtyard also hosts a popular Saturday‑Sunday farmers’ market.
• Concerts & Festivals: Marlay Park’s expansive lawns host the annual Longitude Festival each July and have welcomed global acts such as Guns N’ Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Stormzy, Travis Scott and The Weeknd. Concert days may restrict access to some areas, so checking the event schedule in advance is advisable.

Food & Drink

• Boland’s Coffee Shop (9 AM‑4 PM, €1‑10) – a small café at the northern entrance offering scones, pizza and pasta.
• The Wicklow Way Café (9 AM‑4 PM, €10‑20) – situated near the southern car park with views over the golf course.
• Eden House Gastro Bar (10:30 AM‑12:30 AM, €10‑30) – a restored Georgian manor serving inventive dishes such as a Bronze Crown of Turkey.
• The Merry Ploughboy Gastro Pub (12:30 PM‑12:30 AM, €10‑20) – traditional Irish music and classic fish‑and‑chips.
• Bombay Pantry (12 PM‑11 PM, €10‑20) – Indian takeaway perfect for a post‑walk snack.

Practical Information

Getting There by Car

From the M50 take the Ballinteer exit and follow signs for Marlay Park. The main entrance on Grange Road leads to the larger north car park; the College Road entrance serves the southern side and the Wicklow Way Café.

Seasonal Highlights

• Spring – The walled garden bursts with colour; guided tours showcase the herbaceous borders.
• Summer – Farmers’ markets on weekends, free miniature railway rides, and a packed concert calendar.
• Autumn – Woodlands display a rich palette of reds and golds, perfect for the Park Loop.
• Winter – The park remains open (9 AM‑5 PM) and the indoor café offers a warm refuge after a brisk walk.

Marlay Park effortlessly blends natural beauty, historic charm and modern recreation, making it a must‑visit stop on any Dublin itinerary.