Merrion Square Park

Overview

Merrion Square is the finest surviving Georgian square in Dublin, surrounded by elegant red-brick townhouses and home to a charming public park with a much-loved statue of Oscar Wilde lounging on a boulder.

Highlights

• Oscar Wilde Statue: A colourful reclining figure by Danny Osborne, positioned to gaze across at Wilde's childhood home at No. 1.
• Georgian Doorways: The square's perimeter showcases Dublin's most photographed painted doors with ornate fanlights.
• Weekend Art Market: Local artists display and sell work on the park railings every Sunday.

History

Laid out from the 1760s, the square's residents included Oscar Wilde (No. 1), W.B. Yeats (No. 82), Daniel O'Connell (No. 58), and the Duke of Wellington. The Catholic Church owned the park from 1930 until donating it to the city in 1974.

Visitor Tips

• Visit on a Sunday for the open-air art market along the railings.
• Combine with the nearby National Gallery, which borders the square.
• Duration: 20–30 minutes.