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Marlay Park’s Heritage: A Self-Guided Tour of Dublin’s Playground

5.03 reviews

  • 1.3–1.8 hours
  • Free cancellation up to 24h before
  • Guided in English
  • Instant confirmation

Highlights

Dublin’s beautiful Marlay Park is more than just a beloved green space. It’s where history, nature, and art meet. On this walking tour, you’ll discover the fascinating evolution of this aristocratic estate – from medieval farmland to public park – which spans over 500 years of Irish history. The tour begins at the Wicklow Way starting point, where you’ll hear some of the fascinating stories hidden within this 120-hectare urban oasis at the Dublin Mountains’ foothills. You’ll walk the historic grounds once owned by Barnaby Fitzpatrick, hearing the intriguing tale of how he went from Irish king to English baron in the 1500s when this land was first confiscated from Cistercian monks. You’ll wander through ancient woodlands and past curious art installations, and see beautifully restored walled gardens. Here, you’ll meet the colourful residents of the aviary, including peacocks that wander freely throughout the gardens, before ending the tour at the impressive Georgian Marlay House.

Inclusions

What's included

  • Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • App for Android and iOS
  • Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
  • Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

What's not

  • Smartphone and headphones
  • Personal expenses for attractions not included during the tour

Itinerary

  1. You’ll explore Marlay Park, a sprawling public park known for its woodland trails, craft courtyard, and weekend farmers’ market. Please note that any costs related to visiting the area are not covered in this tour.

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  2. You’ll pass through the Marlay Craft Courtyard, home to a variety of artisan workshops and studios housed in restored 18th-century stables. Please note that any costs related to visiting the area are not covered in this tour.

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  3. You’ll pass by Marlay House, a stately Georgian mansion dating back to the 18th century, nestled within the park’s historic grounds. Please note that entry to the house is not included in this tour.

    Passes by

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

5.0

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Ratings come from 3 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

Meeting point
This tour starts at Marlay Park, Grange Road Car Park. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
Pickup
Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
Ticket type
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operated by
VoiceMap Audio Tours
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

How it compares in Dublin

  • Its from-price is 98% below the median of the 1275 experiences we list in Dublin.
  • It is shorter than most of them.
  • By number of reviews it ranks 495 of 1275.
  • The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Dublin

Dublin is Ireland's friendly, literary capital on the River Liffey, a city of Georgian squares, historic pubs, live music and a gift for storytelling.

Trinity College holds the illuminated Book of Kells and the soaring Long Room library, while Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral and St Patrick's Cathedral trace the city's medieval and colonial past. Georgian squares such as Merrion Square, with their brightly painted doors, and the green expanse of St Stephen's Green provide elegant calm.

Top-ranked sights in Dublin: Dublin Castle, Temple Bar, Trinity College Dublin.

See all 1275 experiences in Dublin

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