Dublin Zoo

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!

What’s special about Dublin Zoo

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.

Here are some facts about Dublin Zoo that you need to know

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.

Dublin Zoo is big on conservation

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.

Areas and divisions at Dublin Zoo

The zoo is divided into 10 different areas and they include:

The African plains
Sea lions cove
fringes of the Arctic
Orangutan Forest
Kaziranga forest trail
city farm
house of reptiles
South American House
Asian forest
Robert’s House

Each of these areas are populated with different animals.

Fringes of the Arctic

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.

African plains

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.

The Asian forest

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.

South American House

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.

World of Primates

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.

Sea lions cove

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.

Dublin Zoo animal guide

Here is a list of all animals you can see at Dublin Zoo:

1. Mammals

African painted dog
bongo (eastern)
chimpanzee
elephant (Asian)
Gibbon (siamang)
giraffe
golden lion tamarin
gorilla (western Lowland)
hippopotamus
hog (red river)
lemur (red-ruffed & ring tailed)
lion (Asian)
macaque ( Sulawesi crested)
Mangabey ( Red capped & white crowed)
meercat
monkey (spider)
okapi
orangutan ( Bornean)
Oryx ( scimitar- horned)
panda (red)
rhinoceros (southern white)
sea lion (California)
sloth ( two-toed)
snow leopard
tapir (Brazilian)
tiger (amur)
wolf (grey)
zebra (common)

2. Birds

Flamingo (Chilean)
Hornbill ( Abyssinian & great indian)
ibis (Waldrapp)
lory (yellow-backed)
ostrick
peafowl (Indian)
penguin ( Humboldt’s)

3. Reptiles

Annam leaf turtle
Burmese python
forest dragon
green crested lizard
green tree and royal python
king ratsnake
mangrove monitor
panther chameleon
star tortoise
west African crocodile

4. Amphibians

fire belied toad

5. Invertebrates

stick insect
tarantula (rose)

Events and activities at Dublin Zoo

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

11:15 am Asian lion
11:45 am Orangutan
12:00 am Zoorassic World- Reptiles Past & Present
12:30 pm Elephant
12:45 pm Chimpanzee
2:15 pm Sea Lion
2:30 pm Penguin
2:45 pm Giraffe
3:00 pm Rhinoceros
3.15 pm Gorilla

Dublin Zoo Prices 2019

Buy Dublin Zoo tickets online and skip the queues plus save

Here are Dublin Zoo Daily Tickets

Online Prices

Adult €17.50
Child 3 years and older & under 16 €13.00
Child under 3 Free
Senior Citizen (over 65’s) €13.50
Adult with Special Needs €10.00
Child with Special Needs €6.50
Carer Free
Student (Must show valid student ID card) €13.50

Family Admission

2 Adults + 2 Children €49.00
2 Adults + 3 Children €53.00
2 Adults + 4 Children €57.00

Gate Prices

Adult €18
Child 3 years and older & under 16 €13.20
Child under 3 Free
Senior Citizen (over 65’s) €14
Adult with Special Needs €10.20
Child with Special Needs €6.70
Carer Free
Student (Must show valid student ID card) €14
2 Adults + 2 Children €51.00
2 Adults + 3 Children €55.00
2 Adults + 4 Children €59.00

Dublin Zoo Annual Pass (free admission to Dublin Zoo for 1 year)

Individual €125
Family €185

Annual Pass Covers:

Individual:

Pass holder + 1 Adult or
Pass holder + 2 Children

Family:

Pass holder + 3 Adults or
Pass holder + 2 Adults + 2 Children or
Pass holder + 1 Adult + 4 Children or
Pass holder + 6 Children

Dublin Zoo Price Discounts

Dublin Zoo offers discounts on entry prices for groups of 10 or more.
Visitors with special needs may admit one accompanying carer free of charge when they purchase a special needs adult or child ticket.Please bring relevant ID and a prove, such as an IAA Autism ID card, , or an associated membership card, GP letter or hospital consultant letter which confirms the visitor is unable to visit Dublin Zoo independently without the aid of a carer or mobility aid.

Dublin Zoo Facilities

There is a shop, cafes, Meerkat Restaurant, kiosks, lawns and picnic tables at Dublin Zoo.
Dublin Zoo hasn’t its own car park, but there are car parking spaces around the Phoenix Park. There are also 2 car parks adjacent to Dublin Zoo and are open daily from 10 am:

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.

90% of Dublin Zoo is accessible for disabled. There are 10 manual wheelchairs at the Zoo entrance.
Dublin Zoo has 9 unisex accessible toilet facilities at various locations. Don’t forget to ask Please ask for the code to the accessible toilets upon entering the Zoo.
Assistance dogs at Dublin Zoo. Dogs are not allowed into the main area of Dublin Zoo. But there is a sitting area at a location in the Zoo, which provides temporary accommodation for assistance dogs while their owners visit the Zoo. In comfortable accommodation assistance dog will stay for the whole duration of your visit and will be provided with fresh drinking water.

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.

Free entry for group organizer and coach driver*

(*Valid only for bona fide group organizers & drivers with a qualifying number of visitors. Proof of ID).

Free familiarisation visit for group organiser
€10 meal voucher for coach driver of group to be used in Meerkat restaurant**

(**Available at entrance gate. Proof of ID.)

Fast track entry and restaurant bookings available

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:

The fascinating history of Dublin Zoo since 1831
Conservation and endangered species
The role of the modern zoo
Horticultural highlights

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.

How can you help Dublin Zoo

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:

Membership

It also entitles you the free entrance to Dublin Zoo for the whole year.

Make a donation

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.

Adopt an animal

Do you have your favorite animal? You can adopt him and become an animal adopter.

Volunteer

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.

DublinKids tips for visiting Dublin Zoo

Be aware that last admission is an hour before closing time. Arrive earlier and allow yourself more time. It’s a big area and a lot to be explored.
Kids under 16 h an adult.as to be accompanied by an adult
Bicycles, scooters, roller-skates, roller-blades or skateboards are not allowed
Dublin Zoo has no provision for left luggage.
Dublin Zoo is a great place for a picnic and there are also a few cafes
Don’t forget that Dublin Zoo offers discounts on entry prices for groups of 10 or more.
Check out the animal feeding times and all event times before your visit to plan your day in advance and make sure you don’t miss anything
Order tickets online and save

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 Opening Times

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

Dublin zoo prices, animals,activities,opening times,and all other top facts

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.