Last Updated on 4th January 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
Just like many European cities, Dublin is a great city to explore during the springtime when the days are longer and the temperatures are warmer. Here’s a quick guide to where to find the very best magnolia trees, tulips, hyacinths, and cherry blossom in Dublin!
Best seen in April or May (ie just before peak season, and thus meaning just before when all the crowds arrive) you can’t go wrong to dedicating at least a few days to uncovering the rich history of the Irish capital. If you’re visiting Dublin for the first time, then be sure to check out our best Dublin travel tips and how to spend one day in Dublin.
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Spring bloom locations in Dublin
Trinity College Dublin
Of course, your first must-see item and port of call on any Irish adventure should be that of Trinity College Dublin, home to plenty of regal architecture, and of course, The Book of Kells (ie one of the most famous medieval manuscript in the world).
First founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, the college is modelled on the universities of Oxford and Cambridge and has remained a prestigious seat of learning since it was first opened all those centuries ago. Purchase your Fast-Track Access Book of Kells and Dublin Castle Tour here in advance.
St Patrick’s Cathedral Park
If you’re a fan of hyacinths then you just have to add the park next to St Patrick’s Cathedral to your list for some casual spring spotting. Best visited in mid-April when the flowers perfume the air and the rest of the park is in full flower, you’ll most definitely want to bring your camera along!
Within St Patrick’s Cathedral itself, which was first established in 1191 and is now the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland. Visitors to Dublin should note that you have to pay to visit Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. If you enjoy in depth historical guides, then consider booking this Skip-the-Line Saint Patrick’s Cathedral & City Tour
Around the entrance to Marsh’s Library
The oldest public library in Ireland (and arguably the most beautiful) can be found in the form of Marsh’s Library. Enter the beautiful library interiors and you can expect to find a reading room where Bram Stoker once studied and where James Joyce once read.
Elsewhere in the building, there are two library rooms to explore, and all of this can be visited for a small fee of a few euro. Just outside the wrought iron gateway and a somewhat secret passageway leading to the library, you’ll find a street filled with pink cherry blossoms.
St Stephen’s Green
Once upon a time, St Stephen’s Green was a common area of land used to graze farm animals and the link. However, all that changed in 1663 when the plot was fenced off and the perimeter surrounding the green was sold to contractors for some much-needed housing to be built.
In 1877, the park was finally opened to the public once more under an act of parliament which was highly encouraged by beer brewer and iconic entrepreneur, Sir A. E. Guinness. Today, the Green is the perfect place to hang out on a sunny day when there’s no better time to enjoy a picnic in the park.
Filled with weeping willows, plenty of tulips, the park is best seen in mid-late April when the cherry blossoms are at their peak. After all, this is literally the best place to go in the Irish capital if you’re looking to see cherry blossom in Dublin!
Dublin National Botanic Gardens
Located a few kilometres away from the city centre (but easy to get to via public transport) the Dublin Botanical Gardens are consistently ranked as one of the very best things to do in Dublin, particularly if you’re a plant lover. The gardens are free to visit and wander around.
Founded as early as 1795, the gardens are home to plenty of weird, wonderful, and downright beautiful plant varieties. The gardens are particularly noted for their lovely expansive Victorian greenhouses. In total, the National Botanic Gardens are home to over 15,000 plant species!
Irish National War Memorial Gardens
Varied weather each year (and it does rain an awful lot in Ireland- so make sure to come prepared!) means that there’s no telling quite when the cherry blossoms in Dublin will bloom.
That being said, at some point in April or May, the cherry blossoms will bloom in the Irish National War Memorial Gardens, a tranquil and calm space dedicated to the memory of the 49,400 Irish soldiers who gave their lives in WWI.
Herbert Park
If you’re looking for the ultimate cherry blossom pink viewing experience when it comes to Dublin, then you simply must visit Herbert park, where the highest concentration of the pretty trees in the city can be found. A little way out the city centre, it may not be as popular as Saint Stephen’s Park, but it’s most certainly well worth the extra time on the bus!
Map of the best blooms in Dublin
What to wear for a cherry blossom photo shoot
There is no set style of dress or colour that you should specifically wear when taking your photo under a cherry blossom tree. With this being said, some colours pop more than others. Pastel hues and light clothing is always a great choice, as are floral prints. Flowing designs such as long skirts and dresses can often compliment the flowing of the flowers.
Where to stay to see the spring blossoms in Dublin
Abbey Court Hostel, 29 Bachelors Walk, North City, Dublin, D01 AX90, Ireland
For those looking for a hostel and a very affordable option, Abbey Court Hostel is centrally located and generally well-reviewed. Check prices and availability here.
O’Neills Victorian Pub & Townhouse, 36-37 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 VX62, Ireland
This mid-range priced pub can be found in the very heart of the action, somewhere between the River Liffey and the National Gallery of Ireland. Check prices and availability here.
The Shelbourne Dublin, A Renaissance Hotel, 27 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin, Ireland
Situated in a hotel building dating back to the 19th-century, this five-star accommodation is just a ten-minute walk away from Trinity College Dublin. Check prices and availability here.
Merrion Hotel, Merrion St Upper, Dublin 2, Ireland
This five-star place to stay offers luxury at its very finest. Set within a restored Georgian building, the hotel can be found just over a five-minute walk away from the National Gallery of Ireland. Check prices and availability here.
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