Merrion Square, Dublin

1 more image

The birthplace of Oscar Wilde still exists and the building looking the very same as back in Wilde's times. It is located in the Merrion square almost on the opposite side of the Oscar Wilde monument. Today it is the place of Irish American University and outside the there's a memorial sign to Wilde's father who was a famous surgeon.

Merrion Square (Irish: Cearnóg Mhuirfean) is a Georgian square on the southside of Dublin city centre. It was laid out after 1762 and was largely complete by the beginning of the 19th century. It is considered one of the city's finest surviving squares. Three sides are lined with Georgian redbrick townhouses; the West side abuts the grounds of Leinster House (seat of the Oireachtas), Government Buildings, the Natural History Museum and the National Gallery. The central railed-off garden is now a public park.

3 more images

This stretch of a park is more like a thick forest.

Inside the north west corner gateway, there is a statue of Oscar Wilde composed of different coloured stone, sitting on a large granite boulder.

It is visible from outside the perimeter railings. Once inside, you will see a funky factfile pillar about 15 feet in front of Oscar.

In 1855, the family moved to 1 Merrion Square, and hence this is a well-appointed tribute to the great Irish playwright, poet and author.

4 more images

I had learned during my 1st 6 days in Ireland that you take advantage of good weather when you have it so after checking into my hotel just north of Merrion Square, I headed into the Archbishop Ryan Park that sits in the middle of the square to have a look around. As I wandered through the park, I found the bust of politician Michael Collins but it's the statue of Oscar Wilde, affectionately known as the "fag on the crag", that is the star here. He reclines on a rock in the northwest corner of the park, just across the street from his childhood home at No. 1 which now houses the American College Dublin. On pillars across from him are a naked male torso and his pregnant wife Constance, the pillars etched with some of his witticisms.

The houses that line the square are fine examples of the Georgian style of architecture and had many famous residents, besides Oscar Wilde, Irish national leader Daniel O'Connell lived at No. 58 and WB Yeats lived at Nos. 52 and 82, you can see blue plaques on the facades that identify their famous previous owners.

4 more images

Merrion Square is one of Dublin's largest and finest Georgian squares. Its plans were laid out by John Ensor near the end of the 18th century, and it is surrounded by some of the city's most important buildings, including the National Gallery, the National Museum and Leinster House, the seat of the Irish Parliament. A number of illustrious citizens have also lived in the beautiful townhouses that surround the square, including W.B. Yeats (No. 82) and Oscar Wilde (No. 1). The square's central park is very nicely designed. A number of statues and monuments are dispersed throughout the park, including that of Oscar Wilde, affectionately known to most Dubliners as "The fag on the crag"(!). There is also a nice collection of old streetlights spread throughout the park.

4 more images

Merrion Square, the best Georgian square in Dublin... sublime architecture and the famous colourful irish doors. Georgian architecture was fairly rigid and unform, so people used colourful doors to differentiate... and artistic door knockers.

In georgian times the rich and famous lived here, and if you take your time and walk around it, you'll see may plaques indicating who lived there. For example: Oscar Wilde lived at No 1, Daniel O'Connell at No 58, Sheridan Le Fanu at No 70 and W. B. Yeats at No 82.

There is also charming park in the middle, with colourful flowers and shrub beds. In the past this park was private: only residents of the square had the keys and could enter it. it is now public, and it's one of the nicest parks in town.

2 more images

Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900) is one of the most famous Irish writers, a play writer, novelist, poet and short story writer. As a child he lived in a house at Merrion Square and just across from that building, in the park, there is a colourful statue of him. He is half sitting /lying on a big granite boulder. Wilde himself is made up of stones in different colours.

Merrion Square with its well kept central park dates back to 1762 and has the National Gallery on its west side, while the other three sides are lined with elegant Georgian buildings. Around this square are the hallmarks of the best Georgian Dublin entrances - elegant doors and peacock fanlights, ornate door knockers and more than a few foot-scrapers where gentlemen removed mud from their shoes before venturing inside.

Merrion residents include Oscar Wilde who can now be found lounging on a rock watching the world go by within Merrion Square park.

1 more image

Go on a sunday, around merrion square you can enjoy the architecture and brouse through the work of some local artists who exhibt thier work on the raillings of Merion park, this is where youll pick up real souvineers!!! There is a georgian house, at Number Twenty Nine, Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2,it is has been restored to its original glory, It is open to the public and it will give you a real idea of what it was like in dublin in georgian times, (well for the rich anyway)circa 1790 - 1820.
There is a walking tour available a guide will take you through the area pointing out places of intrest. I say get a map and keep your eyes open...
take the oppertunity to visit the National art gallery its in this area.

1 more image

Go on a sunday, around merrion square you can enjoy the architecture and brouse through the work of some local artists who exhibt thier work on the raillings of Merion park, this is where you'll pick up real souvineers!!!
There is a georgian house, at Number Twenty Nine, Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2,it is has been restored to its original glory, It is open to the public and it will give you a real idea of what it was like in dublin in georgian times, (well for the rich anyway)circa 1790 - 1820.
There is a walking tour available a guide will take you through the area pointing out places of intrest. I say get a map and keep your eyes open...
take the oppertunity to visit the National art gallery its in this area.

Merrion Square, surrounded by brick houses that are covered in ivy and furnished with amazingly colorful doors, is a nice sanctuary in the heart of Dublin. Grab some sandwich gear and a couple of beers from a local grocer and head down a winding sidewalk in the park to find a comfy bench. This place is beautiful and as green as Ireland gets.