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festivals · Saturday 18 July 2026 · 11:00am - 5:00pm 
St Anne's Park Rose Festival 2026
At St Anne's Park · St Anne's Park, Mount Prospect Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin 3
At St Anne's Park · St Anne's Park, Mount Prospect Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin 3
Every July, St Anne’s Park in Clontarf turns its rose garden over to the public for a free weekend festival that has become one of Dublin’s most-loved summer outings. With over 5,000 roses in full bloom across more than 500 varieties, the setting alone makes the trip worthwhile - but the festival layers live music, workshops, food stalls and guided horticultural tours on top of what is already a remarkable garden. It suits anyone who enjoys being outdoors: families with young children, gardening enthusiasts, couples looking for a relaxed afternoon, or anyone who simply wants a free day out that doesn’t feel thin.
The rose garden at the centre of the festival is no municipal afterthought. It was planted in 1974 by Dublin Corporation in partnership with the Clontarf Horticultural Society, opened to the public in 1975, and formally designated as an International Rose Trial garden in 1981 - meaning new rose varieties from around the world are evaluated here each year. Old shrub roses, climbers, ramblers, hybrid teas and floribundas all grow within the walled beds, and mid-July is when the display is at its fullest.
During the festival weekend, expert horticulturists lead guided tours through the garden, explaining varieties, growing conditions and the history of the trial grounds. Alongside these, you’ll find gardening talks and demonstrations, children’s activities, arts and crafts stalls, and live music across both days. The Red Stables building on the edge of the park typically hosts art exhibitions during the festival. Food vendors set up across the grounds - expect hot food, coffee, and the inevitable ice cream queue. The atmosphere is unhurried; bring a blanket if the weather is kind, spread out on the grass near the music stage, and stay as long as you like.
St Anne’s Park sits between Clontarf and Raheny on Dublin’s northside. Dublin Bus routes 130 and 29A serve Clontarf Road, a short walk from the park’s main gates. The DART is a straightforward option - alight at Raheny station and walk about ten minutes to the Mount Prospect Avenue entrance. Cycling is encouraged and there is a designated bike parking area at the festival. If you’re driving, the Mount Prospect Avenue entrance has on-street parking nearby, though it fills early on weekends - aim to arrive before noon to avoid a long walk from side streets.
The seafront promenade at Clontarf is five minutes from the park gates and worth a stroll before or after the festival - the views across Dublin Bay to Howth Head on a clear July day are hard to beat. There is more to see in Clontarf and across Co. Dublin.
Heading to St Anne's Park in Clontarf? Dublin has plenty more to see. Read the Clontarf area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.