At National Botanic Gardens · Botanic Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Co. Dublin
The National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin is one of Dublin’s great free amenities, a working garden and research institution dating back to 1795, with historic curvilinear glasshouses, a rose garden, an alpine yard and one of the finest tree collections in Ireland. For visitors who want more than a wander, the Gardens run guided tours led by trained volunteer guides who bring the collections to life, pointing out plants of horticultural, historical and scientific interest along the way.
On Sundays, guided tours are completely free and run twice a day, at 12:00pm and 2:30pm, making it one of the best value outings in the city for families, plant lovers or anyone curious about the site’s long history. From Monday to Saturday, tours run at 11:30am and 3:00pm for a charge of €5 per person, still modest for an hour or so with a knowledgeable guide. Tours typically take in a cross-section of the site, from the glasshouses to the outdoor beds, depending on the guide and the season.
Beyond the scheduled guided tours, the Gardens also offer free self-guided audio tours via the Guidigo app, including themed routes covering the Gardens’ history, the river walk and the glasshouses and plant collections, so there’s a way to explore in depth even outside tour times. The site is fully accessible, dog-friendly in designated areas only, and makes for an easy half-day out combined with nearby Glasnevin Cemetery.
The National Botanic Gardens are on Botanic Road in Glasnevin, Dublin 9. Dublin Bus routes 4, 9, 13 and 83 serve the area, and there is a car park on site. The Gardens are a short walk from Glasnevin Cemetery and Glasnevin village.
Heading to National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin? Dublin has plenty more to see. Read the Glasnevin area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.
In town for National Botanic Gardens? These Dublin tours book out in summer.