If you’re looking for what to do in Dublin and not sure where to start, we know the answer! Don’t bother worrying about what site to start from, Dublin Zoo is an awesome starting point for you and your family. It would prove to be one of the best family things to do while visiting Dublin. Dublin Zoo is Ireland’s most popular family thing to do. The 28 hectare park in the heart of Dublin is home to some 400 animals, where education and conservation combine for an exciting and unforgettable Dublin experience!
As you might have rightly guessed, the Dublin Zoo is a zoo situated in Dublin, Ireland. It spans 69 hectares of land and has a wide variety of animals exhibited. Animals exhibited include lots of endangered species such as the fruit bat and the Golden lion tamarin. The Zoo in Dublin is one or the world’s first and most popular Zoos. Opened in 1831, it welcomes around a million visitors a year. You know the popular and world’s famous MGM Logo Lion, right? But did you know, that Leo was born in Dublin Zoo, Ireland? Leo the Lion is the seventh lion (he is also called Leopold the Lion, Leopold, or just Leo) and by far MGM’s longest-ever used lion. He represented the most MGM films since 1957 and became the best known and favorite MGM lion.
Brief History
First established in the 18th century precisely on 1st September, 1831 by the Royal Zoological Society of Dublin; the zoo started up operations with only 118 animals given by the London Zoo, which included 46 mammals and 72 birds.
The idea to have a zoo in Dublin was brought by medical doctors
Not exactly who you think would be angling for the building of a zoo right? Now, a hospital would have been more believable but the fact remains that doctors were the brain behind the idea of the Dublin Zoo and it was all borne out of selfishness. The doctors who were not affiliated with any of the big medical corporations needed cadavers to better understand the body systems and more often than not were forced to get specimen for their experiments by robbing graves of their dead bodies. Needless to say, it was an unpleasant task and most of them were also in fear of being caught. Animal cadavers were even harder to find. So, they came up with this awesome plan to open a zoo so that they would not only have easy access to the cadavers of the dead animals, they could also have the opportunity to study them up close and personal while they were still alive.
Conservation of animals was one of the goals that were set when opening the zoo. The Dublin Zoo is concerned with the conservation of the endangered species of wildlife. The zoo is a member of the European Endangered Species Programmer, an organization entrusted with the mandate to conserve and keep endangered species alive in Europe. They do this by liaising with several zoos in Europe and the Dublin Zoo is one of them. Some of the endangered species that the Dublin Zoo is responsible for include; The saki, a white faced monkey, The fruit bats, one of the most important animals to the ecosystem of the rain forest, the gold lion tamarins, a monkey with beautiful coloring and one of the rarest animals in the world.
The zoo is divided into 10 different areas and they include:
Each of these areas are populated with different animals.
This particular area of the zoo is reserved for animals who live in the cold regions of the world such as the penguins, Grey wolves and Siberin Tigers.
This part of the Dublin Zoo is stocked with animals that are predominantly found in the African Savanah. Some of these animals include giraffes, hippopotamuses, ostriches, zebras, chimpanzees, wild dogs hornbills and many other animals. There is also an African restaurant located in the African plains to round up the African feel.
Originally opened under the name, World of Cats, the Asian forests houses lions and is designed to look like copies of two naturally occurring forests in India and Indonesia. They contain two species of lions.
The South American House is the habitat of animals that are found in South and central America. It is sponsored by Kelloggs and is home to the gold lion tamarins, the squirrel monkeys, pygmy marmosets, military macaws and other animals.
As you might have guessed, this part of the zoo displays different species of monkeys and apes. The area is mostly made up of islands which are also connected to each other by bridges. There are so many different species of primates that occupy this part of the zoo. Some of them include orangutans, spider monkeys,lemurs,and siamangs.
This is an artificial habitat that houses a family of California sea lions in the Dublin Zoo. Creating the Sea lions cove took a whole lot of money and determination and till today is one of the biggest tasks to be taken by the Dublin Zoo. There are too many other areas and locations in the zoo to name all of them. Just know that each of them contains animals that are particular to the area.
Here is a list of all animals you can see at Dublin Zoo:
1. Mammals
2. Birds
3. Reptiles
4. Amphibians
5. Invertebrates
There are so many things to do in Dublin Zoo. This top Dublin attraction always has a lot to offer to its visitors. From special school programes to kids camps ,workshops and amazing shows. The programs are designed for kids of all ages and adults alike. There are activities for all the family. Check out the times of all events to make the best out of your visit.
Schedule:
March – September: Daily October – February: Weekends
Buy Dublin Zoo tickets online and skip the queues plus save
Individual:
Family:
1. The Lord’s Walk car park is situated beside Dublin Zoo on Chesterfield Avenue. This car park can occupy about 260 cars.
2. The Cricket Grounds car park is situated opposite the Zoo on Chesterfield Avenue. This car park can occupy about 120 cars. Both car parks open daily from 10 am.
Group visits and School tours
Dublin Zoo is the perfect day out idea for groups of all ages and school tours Discounts for group organizers, school parties, tour operators and coach drivers.
(*Valid only for bona fide group organizers & drivers with a qualifying number of visitors. Proof of ID).
(**Available at entrance gate. Proof of ID.)
For more information call (01) 4748932 or email: education@dublinzoo.ie
Guided tours & Educational talks for groups
You can book a group in for a guided ‘walk and talk’ on the following subjects:
For more information and bookings call (01) 4748932 or email: education@dublinzoo.ie
School Tours
To book a school trip with an education session, or to find out more about your school trip options, call (01) 4748932 or email: education@dublinzoo.ie or visit our Education and Programmes section.
Dublin Zoo is not-for-profit organisation, it’s a registered charity . It’s very costly to run this popular Dublin attraction- just the food spend is approximately half a million a year. This is how you can help Dublin Zoo:
It also entitles you the free entrance to Dublin Zoo for the whole year.
If you want to support Dublin Zoo and make a donation, call Emma Kiernan Marketing Manager on (01) 4748900 call +353 (0)1 4748900 for more information.
Do you have your favorite animal? You can adopt him and become an animal adopter.
Are you an animal enthusiast and want to learn more about animals? Then you can join an team of volunteers working together to help Dublin Zoo. There are plenty of ways you can volunteer: learning & discovery centre, guided tours, events, educational resources, kids clubs, teaching assistants, admin area and more.
How to get to Dublin Zoo
Dublin Zoo is located in the Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. It is easy to get there by public transport, by car or bicycle or train. Dublin Zoo from Dublin city centre: Buses: Nos. 25, 26, 46A, 66 / 66A / 66B, 67, 69 LUAS Red Line: Dublin Zoo is a 15 minute walk from the Heuston Station stop. From all over Ireland Dublin Zoo is easily accessible by train and bus services. Check the map below to get the directions for your drive or walk right from your doorstep.
Conclusion
Located in the Phoenix Park, Dublin Zoo, is Ireland’s most famous fun thing to do and is visited about one million visitors each year A visit to the Dublin Zoo should definitely be a must on your itinerary anytime you find yourself in Dublin. It is an absolutely beautiful place with so many animals and natural beauty. You might want to make the trip to the Dublin Zoo something of a family thing to do so that your children would have the experience of their lives seeing so many animals in copies of their natural habitats. It’s an unforgettable experience. While you are there, visit the Play Forest, completely sheltered and guaranteed to have your children climbing, swinging and sliding in any weather.
Dublin Zoo is open 363 days per year with the only two days closed, that are bank holidays in Ireland : Christmas Day and St. Stephen’s Day.
All top Dublin zoo facts you need to know
About Dublin Zoo
Dublin Zoo is a not for profit organization, registered charity number CHY 2964. Since Dublin Zoo first opened its doors in 1830, its 28 hectares has been transformed with the support of the Irish public and now attracts over 1 million visitors a year. All funds received by Dublin Zoo including gate takings, donations and sponsorships are directly invested into the day to day management, running and up keep of Dublin Zoo’s animals, their habitats and conservation projects. Modern Zoos, like Dublin Zoo, adhere to strict codes of practice in animal welfare laid down by European and Global Associations. Animals at Dublin Zoo therefore live enriched lives in natural social groups in order to encourage breeding and raising young.
Dublin Zoo is managed by caring, qualified and accredited zoo professionals who devote their lives to the welfare of animals at Dublin Zoo. Dublin Zoo works in partnership with zoos worldwide to conserve bio-diversity on earth and financially supports a variety of conservation projects supporting gorillas, tigers, giraffes and penguins among others. Dublin Zoo also supports a range of Irish conservation projects.