Phoenix Park – An unexpected delight! So much to experience!

It’s the largest enclosed park in any capital city in Europe and twice the size of Central Park, NY.  Phoenix Park was started as a deer park, and they still roam the grounds freely. People walk among the deer.  And yes, you truly can get this close but be careful, a fight broke out among the deer when we were there.  With racks of antlers like this, it was crazy that they allow visitors to get this close.  There is no park patrol and lots of visitors. Upwards of 200 fawn are born there each year.  The deer’s lineage can be traced back over 200 years when the walled park was created to keep the deer in (and the locals out).

The Papal Cross in Phoenix Park was erected as a backdrop for the outdoor mass celebrated there by Pope John Paul II on 29 September 1979. The congregation numbered over million, equal to Dublin’s population. The white Latin cross, which dominates its surroundings, is 115 ft high and was built with steel girders. It was installed with some difficulty: after several attempts, the cross was eventually erected just a fortnight before the Pope arrived.  Pope Francis celebrated mass at the spot in August 2018 (only a few weeks before our arrival).

After an up-close visit with the deer, we had and up close tour of the President’s house which is also located in Phoenix Park.  There was minimal security to enter the tour and were surprised to be ushered right into his private office.

President McAleese greets US President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on 23 May 2011.

The presidency is largely a ceremonial office acting as a representative of the Irish state and guardian of the constitution. The President’s official residence, Áras an Uachtaráin (no idea how to pronounce but it means “Residence of the President” in English), is in Phoenix Park. The first president took office in 1938.  So, to date, there have only been nine presidents – wow!

The president holds office for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms. The President is directly elected by the people.  The current President is Michael D. Higgins, who was first elected in 2011. He was re-elected for a second term in 2018.