St. Patrick's Park, Dublin

Adjacent to Saint Patrick's Cathedral, this park is steeped in history, believed to be the very spot where Saint Patrick himself baptized the first Irish Christians, using water from the River Poddle, which now flows underground. Established in 1897 by Lord Iveagh, the park's layout was designed by Arthur Dudgeon in 1901, and it was officially opened to the public in 1904. Lord Iveagh, then the richest man in Ireland, oversaw the park's upkeep for several years until Dublin Corporation assumed full responsibility in the 1920s.

Offering ample space for relaxation and picnics, the park features winding pathways, colorful flower beds, majestic trees, and inviting benches, providing a picturesque backdrop to the adjacent cathedral and serving as a serene retreat. In 1988, several enhancements were made, including the addition of the whimsical Literary Parade on the east side, honoring luminaries such as Swift, Mangan, Wilde, Shaw, Yeats, Synge, O'Casey, Joyce, Behan, Beckett, Clarke, and Dillon, alongside the striking Liberty Bell Sculpture.