Palmerston Park, Dublin, Victorian park in Dartry, Ireland

Palmerston Park is a Victorian park in Dartry with distinct areas designed for different activities. The eastern section has a playground while the western part features a pond surrounded by flower beds.

Rathmines Castle was built around 1636 on the site of an earlier tower house north of today's park, near the original rath that gave Rathmines its name. It was badly damaged in the Battle of Rathmines, fought in 1649, and restored by George Radcliffe before Captain William Shore occupied it until his death in 1668. In 1746 Henry Temple, 1st Viscount Palmerston, leased the castle to Sir William Yorke, 1st Baronet. Demolished around 1840, it was replaced by Palmerston Park.

The park's name comes from the Temple family: Henry Temple, 1st Viscount Palmerston, leased Rathmines Castle to Sir William Yorke in 1746, and the path to Milltown appeared on maps as Yorke's Path from then on. The later Palmerston Park replaced the castle grounds around 1840.

The park is easily accessible on foot from the surrounding neighborhood and features wide paths that are straightforward to navigate. Visitors should check opening times as these vary with the seasons, particularly if planning an early morning or evening visit.

The park lies just north of the site of Rathmines Castle, built around 1636 on the spot of an earlier tower house on a hill above the River Dodder. That hilltop position may also be near the original rath that gave Rathmines its name.