Feeding the Deer in Dublin’s Phoenix Park

Happy Friday, we made it, we made it! I’m back in NYC after a quick trip to Seatte but as promised, for the second time this week, I want to share more about my Ireland vacation last month! When planning my trip to Dublin I asked friends who had studied abroad or lived in the city for a list of the top things to do, see, and eat and then cross referenced with Trip Advisor’s top Things to Do section.  As Phoenix Park Dublin was in the Top 10 things and on a few lists I made sure to pay it a visit and I had absolutely no idea quite how vast it was. 

Located on the north side of the River Liffey in West Dublin it seems to stretch for days and I was not surprised to learn that Phoenix Park is the largest walled park in Europe. I planned my visit to start at the top of the park, at the visitor’s center, and then walked flown through the park visiting the American Ambassador’s House, the Papal Cross, the meadows, the soccer field, the obelisk called Wellington Monument and then out through the South Gates.  While all were quite pretty my favorite part was the abundance of wild deer who are so friendly you can walk up to them with a carrot or an apple and they will eat out of the palm of you hand. 

My epic walk through the park afforded me my highest walking day and the most steps I have taken with this iPhone – nearly 30,000 steps.  And while Phoenix Park Dublin may be a bit out of the way I highly recommend a visit if you have a few hours – just make sure to pick up some fruit and veggies to feed the deer before you get to the park! 

Have you ever been to Phoenix Park Dublin?