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Heritage Ireland

Phoenix Park Visitor Centre and Ashtown Castle

A rediscovered medieval gem and its demesne

See all opening times

Phoenix Park Visitor Centre and Ashtown Castle

A rediscovered medieval gem and its demesne

See all opening times

Admission

Free admission

Getting here

Phoenix Park
Dublin 8
D08 Y304

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Phoenix Park Visitor Centre and Ashtown Castle

Ashtown Castle is a tower house that probably dates from the seventeenth century, but may be as early as the fifteenth.

For years it was completely hidden within the walls of a Georgian mansion once occupied by the under-secretary for Ireland. When that house was demolished in the late 1980s, the castle was rediscovered. It has since been fully restored and now welcomes visitors.

Surrounding the castle is Ashtown Demesne, which boasts a plethora of attractions. Chief among them is the walled kitchen garden, which has being beautifully restored to its original Victorian layout. There are also woodland walks, picnic areas and a universal-access playground.

The Phoenix Park Visitor Centre, adjoining the castle, contains an entertaining exhibition on the park’s history from 3500 BC right through to the present day. There is a charming restaurant in the visitor-centre grounds.

Opening Times

Open throughout the year .

Daily 09:30- 18:00

Last admission 17:00

Average Length of Visit: 1 hour.

The Victorian Kitchen Walled Garden, beside the Visitor Centre, is open to the public daily from 10:00 to 16:00

Notice

Please note that the visitor centre may be closed to the public at short notice. We are sorry for any inconvenience that may be caused.

Contact

Phoenix Park
Dublin 8
D08 Y304

01 6770095

Getting Here

4km from centre of Dublin in the Phoenix Park, signposted from the Phoenix Monument.

Open location in Google Maps

Click the relevant icon below to open Maps directions

Facilities

  • Art
  • Audio Description
  • Audio Visual Show
  • AV presentation
  • Baby Changing
  • Bike Trail
  • Bookshop
  • Brochure
  • Café
  • Car park
  • Changing exhibitions
  • Coach parking
  • Exhibition
  • Family Toilet
  • Guided tours
  • Interpretive exhibit
  • Lift
  • Picnic Area
  • Playground
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Wheelchair Accessible Toilet

Restrictions

  • Appropriate footwear
  • Dogs on lead

Resources

Social Guide

Download, print and read our social guide (PDF) about visiting Phoenix Park Visitor Centre – Ashtown Castle. This will help first-time visitors, families and people with developmental and learning disabilities to prepare for a visit to Phoenix Park Visitor Centre – Ashtown Castle.

Download the Social Guide

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