Overview
The Wicklow Way, the long-distance trail to Clonegal in Co Carlow, starts here, which is reason enough for many walkers to know Marlay Park. But you don’t have to walk to Wicklow to use it. This is a former Georgian demesne in Rathfarnham, 9 km south of the city centre at the foot of the Dublin Mountains, with woodland, ponds fed by the Little Dargle River, a walled garden, a craft courtyard and enough playing pitches to keep half of south Dublin busy on a Saturday.
If you have an hour, do the walled garden and the craft courtyard together – they sit beside Marlay House and cover the most interesting ground in the least walking. If you have a dog or kids, the open lawns and two playgrounds are the draw. Entry is free. Use the signed car parks and follow the current gate notices.
History and Marlay House
The estate began in the early 18th century when Thomas Taylor built a house called The Grange. In 1764 David La Touche, first governor of the Bank of Ireland, bought the property and renamed it after his wife, Elizabeth Marlay, daughter of the Bishop of Waterford. The Georgian house that stands today was built around 1794; inside are a ballroom, an unusual oval music room and fine decorative plasterwork by the Dublin stuccodore Michael Stapleton.
The estate passed through several owners – among them the racehorse breeder Philip Love, whose colt Larkspur won the 1962 Epsom Derby – before Dublin County Council bought the land in 1972 and opened it as a public park on 29 June 1975. The former stables became the craft courtyard. Check the council’s Marlay Park page for current house access and any tours.
Gardens and the craft courtyard
The restored walled garden beside the house dates to about 1794 and is split into ornamental and kitchen sections with herbaceous borders, an orangery and a water fountain. Check the council page for current garden access and any guided tours.
The 18th-century stable yard next door is the craft courtyard; check the council page for which studios are open. The council lists a farmers’ market on Saturdays and Sundays – good for bread, cheese and seasonal produce, and a reliable wet-weather backup if the trails are too muddy.
Walking, cycling and the Wicklow Way
The paths suit every level. The Marlay Park Loop is an easy circuit on gentle ground, with glimpses of the Dublin Mountains; it’s a popular weekend run. From Marlay House, the Wicklow Way heads out through the park, tunnels under the M50 and climbs into the hills – you can walk the first stretch as a taster and turn back at the motorway. For a shorter visit, stick to the woodland paths and return through the lawns by the house.
There are also a putting green, a BMX track, orienteering and a miniature railway in summer. Check the council page for current times and whether they are running.
Sports and family facilities
The park has playing pitches and two playgrounds. Check the council page for current sports facilities, dog areas and the summer miniature railway.
Concerts and events
The southern lawns are an outdoor concert venue, home to summer shows. One honest warning: on concert days the park is a different place. Entrances, accessible access, parking and travel arrangements are set separately for each event, so check the organiser’s information for your specific event before you travel, and allow extra time to get out afterwards. Walk, cycle or use public transport if you can.
Food and refreshments
The council lists toilets and a café in the park. Opening times change, so check before relying on them.
Practical Information
- Opening hours: The council lists a 9am opening with seasonal closing times, from a 5pm close between November and January to 10pm in May to August (see the seasonal bands above). Follow current gate notices.
- Admission: Free to the grounds, trails and playgrounds.
- Parking: Use the signed car parks and check gate times. Concert parking is arranged separately by the organiser.
- Public transport: Check current Dublin Bus and Luas options on the council page or journey planner before you travel; for concerts, check the organiser’s travel arrangements.
- Accessibility: Check individual routes and current accessible parking arrangements with the council or event organiser. Some historic garden sections have steps.
- Contact: DLR County Council 01 205 4700, [email protected].
Arrive early on a weekend for the farmers’ market, walk the loop for the mountain views, and if you’re tempted by the start of the Wicklow Way, you can follow it as far as the M50 and still be back for lunch.