Farmleigh

Farmleigh Family Days Out / Historic House Tours / Cultural Events / Farmers Markets / Benjamin Iveagh Librar Last entry into the Estate is at 5pm.

Farmleigh Opening Hours

Farmleigh Estate will open at 10am daily Monday-Sunday. Farmleigh Estate will close at 6pm. For tour information and group bookings please call 01 815 5914 or email [email protected]

An estate of seventy-eight acres situated to the north-west of Dublin’s Phoenix Park, Farmleigh provides accommodation for visiting dignitaries and guests of the nation. Home to the Guin

ness family for generations, Farmleigh remains a unique representation of its heyday, the Edwardian period, and houses important artworks and furnishings, as well as the Benjamin Iveagh collection of rare books, bindings, and manuscripts which is held in the Library. The extensive pleasure grounds feature walled and sunken gardens, and scenic lakeside walks. The Estate also boasts a farm with a herd of Kerry Black cows. Farmleigh is managed by the Office of Public Works. During the season access to Farmleigh House is by guided tour. Tours run from Monday to Sunday between 10.00 and 17.30 with the last entry at 16.30.

02/06/2026

Good morning, Mr Fox 🦊🦊🦊

Who remembers The Bayno? On this International Day of Children we're taking a look at The Iveagh Play Centre, affectiona...
01/06/2026

Who remembers The Bayno? On this International Day of Children we're taking a look at The Iveagh Play Centre, affectionately known as “The Bayno,” The Bayno which holds a special place in the heart of Dublin’s Liberties community was founded by Edward Cecil Guinness through the Iveagh Trust. The centre opened in 1915 as part of a wider effort to improve the lives of children growing up in the overcrowded tenements of inner-city Dublin. It quickly became far more than a play centre; it was a place of warmth, education, creativity, and belonging.

Children flocked to The Bayno for games, music, dancing, and practical classes, but many also remembered it for the simple comfort of “buns and cocoa,” lovingly served after activities. The nickname itself came from the old word “beano,” meaning a celebration or feast, reflecting the joy local children associated with the centre. A famous local rhyme captured its spirit: “Tip-toe to the Bayno, where the kids go, to get their buns and cocoa.”

The Bayno stands as a reminder of the importance of safe spaces where children can learn, play, and feel valued. Generations of Dubliners passed through its doors, forming friendships and memories that lasted a lifetime. Though the original play centre closed in the 1970s, its legacy of community care and opportunity continues to inspire today.

Hats off to Declan, Graham, and all our outdoor workers. During the recent heat wave, they have shown incredible dedicat...
25/05/2026

Hats off to Declan, Graham, and all our outdoor workers. During the recent heat wave, they have shown incredible dedication and resilience. Despite the intense temperatures, they continue to care for every flower bed, lawn, and pathway with remarkable attention and pride. Their early mornings and long hours ensure our outdoor spaces remain vibrant, healthy, and welcoming for everyone to enjoy. From watering delicate plants to maintaining shaded areas, their efforts often go unnoticed, yet they make a lasting difference every day. We are deeply grateful for their commitment, teamwork, and positive spirit during these challenging conditions.


As it's Biodiversity Week, why not take part in our family-friendly Trees Detective Trail! Explore nature, solve leafy c...
21/05/2026

As it's Biodiversity Week, why not take part in our family-friendly Trees Detective Trail! Explore nature, solve leafy clues, and see how many trees you can identify 🌿
Download a copy from the Farmleigh website or call in to the Motorhouse reception for a copy this Saturday and Sunday.

Its Biodiversity Week 2026. Join OPW events across the country to explore nature, protect habitats and celebrate Ireland...
16/05/2026

Its Biodiversity Week 2026. Join OPW events across the country to explore nature, protect habitats and celebrate Ireland’s incredible wildlife. From guided walks to family activities, there’s something for everyone. Get involved, learn something new and help create a greener future for generations to come.

Today, we mark the death of Daniel O'Connell, the “Liberator,” whose peaceful political campaigning transformed nineteen...
15/05/2026

Today, we mark the death of Daniel O'Connell, the “Liberator,” whose peaceful political campaigning transformed nineteenth century Irish life.
Born in Kerry in 1775, O’Connell became the leading advocate for Catholic rights at a time when Catholics faced severe political restrictions throughout Britain and Ireland. Through mass meetings, disciplined organisation, and remarkable oratory, he built a national movement demanding equality under the law.
O’Connell’s greatest achievement came with the passing of the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829, which allowed Catholics to sit in Parliament and hold public office. His influence extended far beyond emancipation, as he later campaigned for the repeal of the Act of Union and spoke strongly against slavery and injustice.
Today, many reminders of O’Connell’s life and work survive in archives and libraries. Benjamin Iveagh Library holds many of his letters, including a remarkable letter to his wife, Mary, informing her of the passing of the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829. These documents offer a direct connection to one of Ireland’s most important political leaders and the enduring legacy of constitutional reform.

The hawthorn, whitethorn or Maybush is perhaps the most protected tree in Ireland due to its association with the fairie...
12/05/2026

The hawthorn, whitethorn or Maybush is perhaps the most protected tree in Ireland due to its association with the fairies. 
Lone hawthorns are believed to be meeting places or gateways to the Otherworld. Folklore warns that cutting down or damaging a "fairy thorn" brings severe misfortune, sickness, or even death.
This belief remains so strong that construction projects, such as the Newmarket-on-Fergus bypass in 1999, have been rerouted to avoid disturbing a single sacred tree.
The hawthorn is the "May Tree," central to the festival of Bealtaine. Sprigs were traditionally used to decorate the "May Bush" outside homes to bring luck and fertility, though bringing the blossoms inside the house was considered a dangerous taboo that invited bad luck or death.
Hawthorns frequently guard holy wells. Pilgrims tie strips of cloth (rags) to their branches as offerings, believing that as the rag rots, their ailment will fade.
In the Ogham alphabet, the letter hUath (H) is assigned to the hawthorn, traditionally translated as "fear". Under ancient Brehon Law, it was classified as a "Commoner of the Wood," protecting it from wanton destruction.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined our talks and tours over the past days. We loved welcoming so many visitors and ...
10/05/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who joined our talks and tours over the past days. We loved welcoming so many visitors and sharing this experience with you.
Thanks for being part of it — until next time!

Well done to our guide John, for his very informative talk on The Houses Of Guinness and Iveagh as part of The Culture D...
08/05/2026

Well done to our guide John, for his very informative talk on The Houses Of Guinness and Iveagh as part of The Culture Date With Dublin 8 festival. Thanks too for all those who attended.

THE CARRIAGES OF THE RT. HON. GARECH DE BRÚNPart of the lifelong legacy of Garech de Brún (Garech Browne), great grandso...
07/05/2026

THE CARRIAGES OF THE RT. HON. GARECH DE BRÚN

Part of the lifelong legacy of Garech de Brún (Garech Browne), great grandson of Edward Cecil Guinness of Farmleigh House, included an eclectic collection of horse drawn carriages. Two of which are displayed in the motor house at Farmleigh
By the time Garech died on March 10th, 2018, he had acquired a collection of 72 carriages, which he bequeathed to the Irish nation.

Address

Castleknock, Phoenix Park
Dublin
15

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+35318155914

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