Welcome to the National Botanic Gardens
The National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin are currently open for Winter Hours, from 9am to 4.30pm on weekdays and 10am to 4.30pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays.
The Gardens at Kilmacurragh are open 9am to 4.30pm daily.
The National Botanic Gardens of Ireland are an oasis of calm and beauty, and entry is free. A premier scientific institution, the Gardens contain important collections of plant species and cultivars from all over the world. The National Botanic Gardens in Dublin are located in Glasnevin, just three kilometres from Dublin City Centre, and are famous for the exquisitely restored historic glasshouses. The National Botanic Gardens in Wicklow are located in Kilmacurragh, where the milder climate, higher rainfall, and deeper, acidic soils of this historic Wicklow garden, provide a counterpoint to the collections at Glasnevin. The two gardens have been closely associated since 1854. The National Botanic Gardens of Ireland are operated and managed by the Office of Public Works.
Please note that the usual rules apply: no dogs (except guide dogs), no ball games, picnics, sports, bicycles, tricycles, scooters, skateboards, roller skates, micro-scooters, balance bikes and other vehicles (except wheelchairs).
Opening Hours
For Glasnevin »
For Kilmacurragh »
Tours
At Glasnevin »
Visitor Centre Reception
Please use the Visitor Centre phone number or email to enquire about all events, educational, or accessibility queries:
+353 1 804 0319 botanicgardens@opw.ie
What’s On
Upcoming events below and our calendar page.
Our ever-popular Biophilia Tour returns to the Gardens for a few weeks only! Shift some of the winter cobwebs, engage your senses in the Gardens’ beautiful surroundings, and learn about how and why spending time around nature and natural processes can help us stay healthy in our daily lives.
Come and see the technique behind making the traditional Brigid’s cross with step-by-step guidance, using fresh rushes. if we have enough on hand, you may have a chance to make one too!
Free event, no bookings required
Gallery Space, Education & Visitor Centre.
Féile Bhríde at the Gardens in conjunction with Brigit 2023, Dublin City Celebrating Women.
On Wednesday 1st February the National Botanic Gardens will be creating a Brat Bhríde, a land based temporary art installation with primary school students from Glasnevin. Taking inspiration from different forms of Brigit/Brigid/Bríd we will co-create a Brat Bhríde using materials gathered from the land which will spread itself across the arboretum. Visitors will be able to view this temporary installation over the following days of the Brigit 2023 Festival which runs until the new national bank holiday Monday 6th February.
Féile Bhríde at the Gardens in conjunction with Brigit 2023: Dublin City Celebrating Women.
As part of Brigit 2023, we celebrate Irish women through the ages. Bríd the Goddess and Saint Brigid are associated with healing and the divine feminine. Indeed women gathered significant knowledge of plants and their medicinal uses as part of their traditional caregiving role, their empirical findings passed on from generation to generation. When botany emerged as a discipline, Irish women made notable contributions to the field despite disadvantages in education, promotion, and attire. This presentation by Charlotte Salter-Townshend traces a path from the wise women of earlier ages to scientific pioneers such as Ellen Hutchins, Ireland’s first female botanist and Matilda Knowles, the first female Curator of the National Herbarium.
Féile Bríde at the Gardens in conjunction with Brigit 2023: Dublin City Celebrating Women Festival
As part of Brigit 2023, we celebrate Irish women through the ages. Bríd the Goddess and Saint Brigid are associated with healing and the divine feminine. Indeed women gathered significant knowledge of plants and their medicinal uses as part of their traditional caregiving role, their empirical findings passed on from generation to generation. When botany emerged as a discipline, Irish women made notable contributions to the field despite disadvantages in education, promotion, and attire. This presentation by Charlotte Salter-Townshend traces a path from the wise women of earlier ages to scientific pioneers such as Ellen Hutchins, Ireland’s first female botanist and Matilda Knowles, the first female Curator of the National Herbarium.
Féile Bríde at the Gardens in conjunction with Brigit 2023: Dublin City Celebrating Women Festival
Discover the many and varied tales associated with Brigid in Ireland, her links with the ancient Festival of Imbolc, and spot signs of spring emerging in the Gardens. This tour is run in conjunction with Brigit 2023: Dublin City Celebrating Women.
Féile Bhríde at the Gardens in conjunction with Brigit 2023: Dublin City Celebrating Women.
Discover the many and varied tales associated with Brigid in Ireland, her links with the ancient Festival of Imbolc, and spot signs of spring emerging in the Gardens. This tour is run in conjunction with Brigit 2023: Dublin City Celebrating Women.
Féile Bhríde at the Gardens in conjunction with Brigit 2023: Dublin City Celebrating Women.
The Botanic Gardens Blog
Read the latest posts below, and click through to the full Blog for all news articles and updates.
Christmas Flower Arranging
Christmas Flower Arranging: "The Nutcracker" Wednesday 14th December 7.45pm Floral Artist Ali Dietrich tells this seasonal tale through art and craft, inspiring your creativity for the festivities ahead! Wine and mince pie reception 7.00pm. Tickets €20 at Visitor...
Eco Christmas Craft Market
Eco Christmas Craft Market, Glasnevin. Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th December, from 10am to 4pm. Our traditional Christmas Craft Market returns to the Gardens. A pinch of Christmas magic will be cast over the stunning surroundings, with over 70 stalls both indoors...
Science Week 2022 at the National Botanic Gardens
Join us for Science Week at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin from November 13th to 20th! We have a packed schedule of talks, demonstrations, tours, botanical art workshops, and interactive experiments to investigate and celebrate plant science! Our series of...