This guide is focusing on Off-leash Dog Parks across the four Dublin councils, as to date we have not identified any outside Dublin. If we have anything wrong, out of date, or missing, please do let us know!
Be warned:
While some councils have an off leash policy in the early morning and just before closing, some City, Borough and County Council bye-laws may require that Dogs be kept on a lead at all times in public parks. On the spot fines for non-compliance can range from €100 / €150 upwards with court appearances potentially resulting in much higher penalties.
Dublin has 4 councils - we have set out the Dog Policy for each council, plus specific policies for parks with a designated off-leash area.
South Dublin County Council (SDCC)
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLRCOCO)
Dublin City Council (DCC)
Fingal County Council (Fingalcoco)
Off Leash Parks South Dublin County Council (SDCC)
Corkagh Park Clondalkin
Griffeen Valley Dog Park Lucan
Please note there does not appear to be any reference one way or the other to Dog Parks or Off Leash rules on the Council website.
https://www.sdcc.ie/en/services/environment/animal-welfare/dogs/
Full list of South Dublin County Council Parks
Corkagh Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. Eircode D22 DR60
Set on 300 acres, Corkagh Park in Clondalkin is located near the N7. There is a dedicated off-lead area. The main park entrance is in the Camac Valley Car Park (N7 side of park), follow the path into the park and the dog park is 500 metres on the right hand side.
Corkagh Park opening hours:
November, December & January 10.00am -- 5.00pm
February & March 10.00am - 6.00pm
April & October 10.00am - 7.00pm
May & September 10.00am - 8.00pm
June, July & August 10.00am - 9.00pm
Griffeen Valley Dog Park, Lucan
This park covers 200 acres and it made up a series of public open spaces. The first and oldest section is the popular little town park in the middle of Lucan Village. The 'Dog Run' (see map below) has been open since 2012. A proposal for a separate puppy enclosure was turned down by the council in 2016.
Main Park Opening Hours
November, December & January 10.00am -- 5.00pm
February & March 10.00am -- 6.00pm
April & October 10.00am -- 7.00pm
May & September 10.00am -- 8.00pm
June, July & August 10.00am -- 9.00pm
Location of Griffeen Park Dog Park
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Off Leash Dog Parks Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLRCOCO)
Cabinteely Park Cabinteely
Killiney Hill Park Killiney
Marley Park Rathfarnham
Shanganagh Park Shankill
Full list of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Parks
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Parks Bye Laws
Cabinteely Park, Cabinteely
Situated on the Old Bray Road in Cabinteely Dublin 18, Cabinteely Park has its own dog park. It is within these boundaries that off-lead play is allowed. There's really good security here with two entrances, both with two gates. In the event that your dog manages to escape, the second gate prevents them from escaping further into the main park.
Cabinteely Park spans 45 hectares, and includes a children's playground and Japanese-style Cafe.
Main Park Opening Hours
September 8.00am to 8.00pm
October 8.00am to 7.00pm
November - January 8.00am to 5.00pm
February 8.00am to 6.00pm
March 8.00am to 7.00pm
April 8.00am to 8.00pm
May, June, July, August 8.00am to 10.30pm
Killiney Hill Park
Killiney Hill Park is fully off -leash, while the other three listed have sectioned off dog parks.
This is a real favourite with dog owners as here your dogs can roam free off the leash and there are lots of different paths and walkways from the car park that go in different directions: those on the right take you through a forest to the top of KIlliney hill with a view of the sea and the Dublin mountains. The left-hand side pathways lead through pine trees to the Dalkey quarry where you can view South Dublin.
Main Entrance via Car Park at Burton Road.
Pedestrian Entrances: Ardburgh Road, Killiney Hill Road, Torca Road, Victoria Road/Killiney Hill Junction.
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Marlay Park, Rathfarnham
Marlay Park Dog was the first of its kind in Ireland. It has an off leash area within Marlay Demense which is an enclosed, hedged area where the dogs can be let off leash. No more than two dogs are permitted per person and all dogs must be accompanied by an adult 16 years or older.
Shanganagh Park Shankill Co. Dublin
Another park with a dedicated dog park, this park is a great option for those in the Greystones, Bray or South County Dublin areas.
Dublin City Council (DCC)
Note: Dublin City Council have confirmed to us that St. Anne's Park Clontarf / Raheny is the only Dublin City Council park with a designated off-leash area. See Bye Laws, full list of Dublin City Council parks and links at the end of this article.
"Dogs are allowed off lead up to 11.00am each day & for the last hour before official Park Closing Time. At all other times, dogs must be kept on a leash. There is a dedicated ‘Dog Park’ beside the Model Car track, where dogs may be let off the lead at all other times. Dogs love this park as there's over an acre of woodland, hills and undergrowth for them to explore. There is an enclosed area for all dogs and a separate area for big dogs. The dog park is located in the Raheny side of St. Anne’s and the entrance is just off the All Saints Road."
Off Leash Dog Parks Fingal County Council (Fingalcoco)
Ardgillan Castle Demesne
Malahide Demesne
Millennium Park Blanchardstown
Newbridge Demesne Donabate
Porterstown Dublin 15
Santry Demesne
St. Catherines Park Liffey Valley
Tyrrelstown Park
Ward River Valley Swords
The maps show Off Leash areas in Fingal County Council's 9 Parks (currently being developed and will be signposted locally). See full list of parks and links below.
Fingal County Council Dog Policy:
"Large Parks:
Dogs are only allowed off leash in specially designated and signposted areas.
Local Parks - check the time!
In smaller enclosed parks, dogs are only allowed off-leash up until 11am and for the last hour before the park closes. (some variation to this may apply to protect wildlife or to facilitate events etc. Further information on our website).
Local Green Areas - Under Your Control!
In local green spaces (e..g. in housing areas) dogs may be off leash but must be kept under control at all times."
Fingal County Council - Regional Parks and Open Spaces Bye-Laws 2017 also states:
"Dogs in parks and open spaces shall be kept on a leash, other than in areas designated as off-leash areas, or at times specified by the County Council. Dogs must be kept under effectual control at all times. Dogs (other than guide dogs or assistance dogs) shall not be permitted in public playgrounds. A person shall not cause or allow any Restricted Breed, as defined in the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 (as amended) belonging to him/her, or in his/her charge to enter or remain in the park unless such dog is kept securely muzzled and led on a sufficiently strong leash or chain not exceeding two metres in length by a competent person over 16 years of age."
Dublin City Council (DCC) clickable Parks List
South Central Area:
- Eamonn Ceannt Park, Sundrive Road, D. 12.
- Kylemore Park, Ballyfermot, D.10.
- Liffey Valley Park, Chapelizod / Islandbridge, D.8/10.
- Markievicz Park, Ballyfermot, D.10.
- Oisin Kelly Park, Basin Street, Off James’ Street, D.8.
- St Audeons Park, High Street / Cook Street, D.8.
- St Catherines Park, Thomas Street, D.8.
South East Area:
- Belgrave Square, Rathmines, D.6
- Bushy Park, Terenure, D. 6.
- Cabbage Garden, Kevin Street, D.8
- Dartmouth Square, D.6.
- Dodder Park at Dropping Well, Milltown Road, D.6
- Eaton Square Park, Rathgar, D.6.
- Fitzwilliam Square, D.2
- Harold's Cross Park, D.6.
- Herbert Park, Ballsbridge, D.4.
- Herzog Park, Rathmines, D.8.
- Merrion Square Park, Merrion Square, D. 2.
- Palmerston Park, Rathmines, D.6
- Peace Park, Christchurch Place, D.8
- Pearse Square, D.2.
- Ranelagh Gardens, Ranelagh, D. 6
- Ringsend Park, Off Strand Street, D.4.
- Sandymount Promenade, Strand Road, Sandymount, D.4.
- Sandymount Green, Sandymount, D. 4. .
- St Patricks Park, St. Patricks Street, D.8.
- St Kevins Park, Camden Row, D.8.
Central Area:
- Blessington Street Basin, Blessing Street Basin, D.7.
- Croppies Park, Wolfe Tone Quay, D.8.
- Diamond Park, Gardiner Street, D.1.
- Liberty Park, Foley Street, D.1.
- Mount Bernard Park, Connaught Street, D.7
- Mountjoy Square Park, Mountjoy Square, D.1.
- Ormond Square, Off Ormond Quay, D.1.
- Riverrun Garden, Phibsborough Public Library grounds, D. 7.
North Central Area
- Belcamp Park, Coolock, D.17
- Clontarf Promenade, Clontarf, D.3.
- Darndale Park, Belcamp Lane, Dublin 17
- Edenmore Park, Edenmore, D. 5
- Ellenfield Park, Whitehall, D. 9
- Fairview Park, Fairview, D. 3.
- Father Collins Park, Donaghmede, D.13.
- Maypark (Donnycarney Park), Off Malahide Road, D. 5.
- North Bull Island, North Bull Wall, D.3
- Rockfield Ave, Artane, D.5.
- St Annes Park, Clontarf/Raheny, D. 5.
North West Area
- Albert College Park/Hampstead Park, Glasnevin, D.9.
- Coultry Park, Ballymun, D.11.
- Griffith Park, Glasnevin, Drumcondra, D.9.
- Johnstown Park, Finglas, D. 11.
- Mellowes Park, Finglas, D.11.
- Poppintree Park, Ballymun, D. 11.
- Silloge Park & Golf Course, Balllymun, D.11.
- Tolka Valley Park, Finglas, D.11.
Dublin City Council Control of Dogs Bye Laws
A person in charge of a dog in an area specified in the First Schedule to these
Bye-Laws [ except (a) American Pitbull Terrier, (b) Bull Mastiff ,
(c) Doberman Pinscher, (d) English Bull Terrier, (e) German Shepherd
(Alsatian), (f) Japenese Akita, (g) Japenese Tosa, (h) Rhodesian Ridgeback,
(i) Rottweiler, (J) Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and to every dog of the type
commonly known as a Ban Dog (or Bandog) and to every other strain or cross
of every breed of every type of dog described above] shall keep the dog on a
sufficiently strong chain or leash, not exceeding two metres in length if a fixed
leash, or ten metres if retractable, while in that area, except during the
following times when the dog may be unleashed in such areas (but excluding
the North Bull Island and any other such area for which a Special Amenity
Area Order is made) provided that such dog must still be under the effectual
control of the person-in-charge of the dog in accordance with the Control of Dogs
Acts, 1986 and 1992:
January & December: 8.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m., 4.00 p.m. - 5.00 p.m.
February & November: 8.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m., 4.30 p.m. - 5.30 p.m.
March & October: 8.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m., 5.30 p.m. - 6.30 p.m. (Wintertime), 6.30 p.m. - 7.30 p.m. (Summertime)
April & September: 8.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m., 7.30 p.m. - 8.30 p.m.
May & June: 8.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m.
July & August: 8.30 p.m. - 9.30 p.m
