Palmerston Park

Watch out for the duck pond. In the twilight, careless walkers may mistake its green algae for grass and stroll right in. I got within a few feet before my walking companion pulled me back.
Dangers aside, this is a gorgeous park. Gorgeous and old. You can feel its age. These massive trees didn’t spring up in the last couple of years — I’m sure their roots were already deep when my grandparents were young. There is something very special about strolling around a beautiful old park this like without seeing another soul.
Other parks may be more beautiful, but few are as stately.

Palmerston Park is a treasure of a park that admittedly I lived right next to and didn’t notice it was there until about 7 months in. From the outside it’s deceptviely small looking, but once you get inside you’ll find that it’s quite large and there’s many different sections and areas.
If you ever get a sunny spring day it’s perfect place to sit outside and relax in the sunshine. There’s a footpath that goes around the perimeter of the park. It’s excellent if you’re looking for a change in your walking routine or somewhere safe for the kids to ride their bikes around. I’ve never seen the park crowded which is perfect because you’re always sure to get a spot on the grass, which can’t be said for St. Stephen’s Green.
And also a nerdy history note, Palmerston Park was the headquarters of James Butler, 1^st Duke of Ormonde, during the Battle of Rathmines in 1649. When Butler and his troops were defeated, the route was opened for Cromwell to invade the rest of Ireland … ok so maybe not a selling point for the park, but still something to think about when you’re bikin around.

Unlike its Scottish counterpart, Palmerston Park in Dartry is a secluded, peaceful place in which Dublin’s southsiders are free to wander and relax.
Its semi-​circular shape gives the impression that the park is very small, but take a walk through and you’d be surprised. Colourful garden beds and walking paths weave their way through the park, and you’ll even come across a waterfall and duck pond on one side, and a children’s playground on the other.
I’ve often seen elderly people taking a turn around this park, along with the occasional father and son having a kick around with a football.

This is a great place to take the kids. It’s clean and quiet and is there perfect location for a picnic. There’s a good playground complete with slide, swings and jungle gym and a small pond where hungry ducks await feeding!
Small but charming and only a five minute walk from the Milltown luas stop.

Kleiner, sehr gepflegter Park am südlichen Ende von Rathmines. Wer in der Nähe wohnt, kommt mal eben für ein halbes Stündchen in den Palmerston Park, ob mit oder ohne Kinder.
Durch die Mitte des Parks führt ein Weg — der östliche Teil beherbergt einen Kinderspielplatz sowie eine große Spiel– und Picknickwiese, die v.a. im Sommer von Menschen aller Altersklassen bevölkert wird: Kinder sausen herum, Studenten aus dem angrenzenden Wohnheim sonnen sich, Schüler spielen Fußball, Rugby etc.
Im westlichen Teil kann man eine gepflegte Runde lustwandeln, am kleinen Teich den Enten hallo sagen und die sauber angelegten Blumenbeete bewundern. Parkbänke stehen überall, um ein Buch zu lesen oder das Gesicht gen Sonne zu strecken.
Allabendlich, wenn die Sonne untergeht, kommt der zugegebermaßen etwas schrullige Parkwächter mit seiner Glocke durch den Park gelaufen, um die Anwesenden darauf aufmerksam zu machen, dass er gleich die Gatter schließen wird.
Im Winter 2005 hat’s unglaublicherweise sogar mal geschneit (siehe Foto) — der Palmerston Park sah ungewohnt unwirklich aus!