Saint Stephen's Green

Saint Stephen's Green is a rectangular urban park covering roughly 22 acres in central Dublin. The space features ponds inhabited by swans, walking paths that crisscross the grounds, distinct garden areas, open meadows, and ornamental fountains, all enclosed by Georgian-era buildings.

The area began as marshland outside Dublin's built-up center but was transformed into a public park by Dublin Corporation in 1663. The sale of surrounding plots to private developers led to the construction of Georgian-style buildings that frame the space today.

The park is dotted with statues honoring Irish independence fighters and national figures whose stories remain part of everyday conversation for locals. These monuments shape how people move through and gather in the space.

The park opens early on weekdays and slightly later on Sundays, closing when daylight fades. Multiple entry gates are positioned around the perimeter, making it easy to access the space from different directions around the city center.

A dedicated garden section features plants labeled in Braille, allowing visitors who are blind or have low vision to explore nature through touch and scent. This thoughtful addition demonstrates how the park serves people with different needs.