Aras an Uachtarain
Contact Details
Address: Phoenix Park, Dublin 8.
Telephone No: +353 1 677 0095
Lo Call: 1890 430 430.
Fax No: +353 1 679 7831.
Email: phoenixparkvisitorcentre@opw.ie
Websites: www.president.ie and www.araskids.ie
Opening Hours
Saturdays Only.
Summer: 10.15 - 16:00.
Winter: 10.30 - 15:30.
Closed: 24th - 27th December.
Average Length of Visit: 1 hour.
Admission Fees
Free admission tickets are issued at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre only on the day, on a first-come, first-served basis. Group visits and/or advance bookings are not permitted.
Facilities
Restaurant / Tearooms: Restaurant in the grounds of the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre.
Now the Residence of the President of Ireland, Áras an Uachtaráin, started as a modest brick house for the Phoenix Park Chief Ranger in 1752. It was subsequently acquired as an "occasional residence" for the Lords Lieutenants and gradually evolved to a large mansion. After Ireland gained independence, it was occupied by three Governors General between 1922 and 1937, prior to the first president Dr Douglas Hyde taking up residence there.
19th century architects Francis Johnston, Jacob Owen and Decimus Burton, and more recently, Raymond McGrath, as well as stuccodores Michael Stapleton and Bartholomew Cramillion contributed to its gradual expansion, gardens and interiors.
The exhibition presents the architecture of the house and details on the lives of its illustrious inhabitants, with a special section on the incumbent president, Dr Mary McAleese.
Location: In the Phoenix Park, signposted from the Phoenix Monument 4km from centre of Dublin.
Bus Route(s): Bus No. 37, 38 (from Lr. Abbey Street), 39 (from Middle Abbey Street) to the Ashtown Gate walk approximately 190 metres to the T-junction and turn left, walk for about 10 minutes until you reach the building on your left, the pathway on the right-hand side leads you towards the trees and the back gate of Ashtown Castle. Bus No. 10 (from O'Connell Street) to North Circular Road Gate (30 minute walk from Gate).
Guided Tours:
28 visitors maximum.
Duration: 30 minutes.
10.15 - 16:30 Summer.
10.15 - 15:30 Winter.
Guided Tours Meeting Point:
Phoenix Park Visitor Centre,
Phoenix Park,
Dublin 8.
Tel +353 1 6770095.
Fax +353 1 6726454.
Additional Information: Please note that, as with all Government buildings visiting arrangements are subject to cancellation on short notice. Telephone ahead to avoid disappointment.
