The vanished manor
There is no grand house to see at Santry Demesne, and that is more or less the point of a visit. A palatial house was built here between 1703 and 1709, on the site of an earlier medieval residence. It declined through the early 20th century, was gutted by fire in 1947, and was finally demolished in 1959. What survives is the outline of it: stone foundations, the original front steps, and the long tree-lined avenue that once led up to the door. Fingal County Council took the estate in charge in June 2003 and opened it as a regional park in 2004.
The park follows the Santry River (Abhainn Sheantraibh) through the wider 72-acre demesne, in a 15-acre linear strip. If you only have twenty minutes, head for the walled garden and the manor footprint, which is where the interest is. The stone steps by the manor foundations are uneven, so watch your footing.
The walled garden and orchard
The old walled garden contains a community garden and an orchard. It is described as a heritage orchard among seasonal beds, and the front section has been talked of as a recreational garden for wider public use. Ask Fingal County Council about access if the garden is the reason for your visit.
The river and the greenway
The Santry River Restoration and Greenway is a separate project. The council describes it as a future continuous traffic-free route, so do not assume a through-route to the coast exists yet. Its stated aim is a route inland from the Dublin Bay Biosphere at St Anne’s Park, alongside flood resilience and river habitat work. Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council and the National Transport Authority are involved. Use the council’s project page for updates before planning a longer walk.
Walking and the playground
The park has walking paths and a children’s playground. It is a local amenity more than a day out, worth an hour if you are nearby rather than a trip across the city. Follow paths within the park. Fingal lists the park as dog friendly, so check the council page for any rules on leads. If the garden is the reason for your visit, ask the council when it is open to visitors before you set out.
Getting there and practical notes
From Dublin city centre, head north and follow signs for the N1 (Old Airport Road); the entrance is beside Morton Stadium, just past Santry Village.
- Opening hours: seasonal. From November through January, Fingal lists opening from 9 am to 5 pm. Closing time changes through the year, so check the Fingal page for other months.
- Admission and parking: free. Free parking is to the right of the main gates.
- Public transport: for current bus routes, search for the park in TFI Live.
- Contact: Fingal County Council, (01) 890 5595.
Nearby
The river corridor leads on towards Raheny and the coast. The greenway, once built, is intended to link with the St Anne’s Park network and North Bull Island. For a bigger day out, Ardgillan Castle further up the coast has parkland walks.