Luke McLeod | Last Updated 13 March 2024 | 8 Minute Read
The "Lungs of Dublin" are a hidden pocket park in the city centre. It's almost the same size as St. Stephen's Green but is much less known. What's it called? The Iveagh Gardens. They're harder to find due to the fact that many of the cities buildings surround the park, like the National Concert Hall.
Standing between Clonmel Street and Hatch Street, the park has had many forms of existence to 21st century version. It's roots dig back to 1756, in the era of the Lords and Earls. With the park regularly changing hands from the Earl of Milltown to Lord Milltown and then to the Earn of Clonmel. Interestingly, the well known nightclub outside the garden's, "Copper Faced Jacks" takes its name from the 1st Earl of Clonmel. His house was outside the walls on Harcourt street, and as such he constructed a subterranean tunnel to go to the pleasure gardens as he pleased.
The Gardens became public use land at the start of the 19th century, and this was disastrous for them. It fell into disrepair, with sheeps grazing on the overgrown grass and waste piled throughout the area. A notable family of Dublin City purchased the 'Coburg Gardens' in 1862 when the Guinness's founded the exhibition palace which was solely for public enjoyment on the much bigger 17-acre site.
As the years continued to turn, the Guinness family continued to hold historic garden plays and exhibitions in the winter garden until it was sold in in 1882. The change of use of some buildings to colleges and universities, continued until Lord Iveagh gifted the gardens to the Irish State in 1939. Some 180 years after they were first displayed. This came with a catch, they were to remain unbuilt on. To this day, that promise has been kept... with the exception of the famous stage for the outdoor concert series.
Concerts and comedy gigs at the venue are incredibly well run since the first modern shows in 2009. Entrance is through the Clonmel st gate, there is no entrance from Hatch street gate. There is a large row of bars directly opposite the main stage, which generally don't take too long to get a drink at.
Along the sides of the bars, you will find a number of 'Irish Street Food' options for dinner, including burgers, spice bags, dumplings and fries. There are tonnes of places to eat in Dublin, that you may want to try out instead. That being said, as acoustic folk music fills the air of Dublin and you have a pint in hand, a few fries are a great idea.
The 2024 Summer Line Up for the Iveagh Garden concerts is one of the larger runs over recent history. After 9 concerts in 2023, the 2024 schedule is set to see 10 events over 17 days on the massive stage at the park.
In his 66th year in show business Van Morrison is set to open proceedings at the gardens on July 4th. This Thursday night concert sets the stage for a miniture summer festival. The following night, the Sugababes original British girlband come to the city centre. Oscar award winning and 'The Frames' frontman, Glen Hansard will play songs from his new sixth album 'All that was East is West of me now'. American Celtic Rock band the Dropkick Murphys arrive in Dublin on the 7th of July to round off the weekend at the gardens.
As there is a break on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Irish icon Christy Moore kicks off the second weekend of shows with his folk and Irish albums spanning over 55 years on Thursday. On the other side of the spectrum, a newer Irish Band Pillow Queens play on the Saturday 13th. Their new album debuts at this headline show. Soloist Passenger comes to Dublin to finish this weekend of events on Sunday the 14th of July.
On the final weekend of the 2024 Summer Line Up, Damien Dempsey brings his "Church of Damo" sermon back to the Iveagh gardens. Year after year, this concert from one of Ireland's most inspirational musicians tends to be a sell out show. In what is a final show for the run of concerts in the Iveagh Gardens, soul singer Paloma Faith draws the curtains closed on this massive stage with her only Irish date this year.
The Arthaus hotel is close to the Iveagh Gardens! This will take around 9 minutes to walk from your hotel rooms to reach the Clonmel Street Gate of the concert venue. The promoters urge the attendees to get to the concert venue on foot. Luas is also another option from other parts of the city.
This event has no parking, it's very difficult to find on street parking especially at peak times in the summer. Guests of the Arthaus Hotel can park at Q-Park Stephen's Green, and will receive a reduced rate to the public who park here.
Public Transport is strongly advised for everybody who has a ticket to the 2024 outdoor gigs. Pearse train station is located a 22 minute walk away from the venue, and has rail links from across the city and country.
Camden street, which runs parallel with the Harcourt street luas stop offers tonnes of bus options from around the town, and city.
Finally, the Luas runs to Harcourt street which is one stop from the Arthaus Hotel. The Luas is a great option as it winds through the Dublin streets, allowing you to hop off at Dawson street for a bite to eat before walking a couple of minutes to the venue.
Although the main stage is located in the sunken pit of the gardens, there is no issue for those with reduced mobility. The main area is floored with plastic tiles, and there are ramps to get up and down the verges. On the higher ground, there is an accessible viewing platform available to all patrons. Toilet areas include separate accessible facilities.
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Stay at the Arthaus Hotel, a boutique 4 Star hotel located in Dublin city centre near St. Stephen’s Green and Grafton Street. The perfect base to discover Dublin and Ireland. We are just a 9 minute walk from the Iveagh Gardens venue, and two minutes from the biggest shopping district in Dublin.
Getting to the Arthaus is easy, just 35 minutes from Dublin Airport by taxi or 45 minutes on public transport.
If you want to stay in a hotel near Iveagh Gae, you will have to act fast. Rooms at the Arthaus are very sought after, each room unique from the next. There are three room options, Boutique, Superior & Executive. Each room has their own unique work of art, helping you to continue the culture experience from the concert.
Our artwork in the Boutique rooms features works inspired by the Bauhaus teacher Wassily Kandinsky, often hailed as the pioneer of abstract art. In his own words, ‘’Colour is a power which directly influences the soul.
Stay two nights at the Arthaus Hotel and get €20 off per night.
Meet our passionate and seasoned Travel and Culture Editor, Luke McLeod. With an insatiable wanderlust and an unquenchable thirst for cultural exploration, Luke is your trusted guide to unlocking the soul of Ireland.
With years of experience in the realms of travel and culture journalism, Luke has made it their mission to hand-pick the most captivating and authentic experiences that the Emerald Isle has to offer.
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