We visited Dublin Zoo in November 2018.
This is one of the most visited places in Dublin (by families).
You would need 3-4 hours to cover the entire zoo.
This zoo is located in Phoenix Park just after People’s Garden and its one of the oldest zoo in the world (opened to the public on 1st September 1831). Its spread across 28 hectares.
Dublin Zoo has not got a designated car park. However, there are lots of places to park around Phoenix Park.
An interesting history:
The zoo is noted for its lion breeding program, and since the 1850’s, more than 700 lions have been bred here. The most famous past resident is probably the MGM trademark lion. Named Slats, he was filmed for the opening sequence that preceded all films from the then newly formed MGM studio, and first appeared on screens in 1924.
You can buy tickets online and save some money.
Ticket price below:
There are other options like ‘Annual Pass’.
The zoo is open almost throughout the year.
The zoo is home to roughly 400 animals from 100 different species, and you can visit all of them across the eight different habitats, which range from an Asian jungle to a family farm, where kids get to meet the inhabitants up close and milk a (model) cow.
Some of the mammal’s that you find are:
Chimpanzee,
Gorilla
Orangutan
When visiting the new Orangutans enclosure in Dublin Zoo be careful when they are crossing above your head.
They’ve been known to pee and poo down on onlookers for the craic.
Elephant ,
Giraffe,
Hippopotamus,
Rhinoceros,
Lemur,
Okapi,
Oryx,
Sea Lion,
Zebra,
Snow Leopard,
Tiger Wolf
Some of the Bird’s that you find are:
Flamingo,
Ostrich,
Pea cock,
Penguin
Family Farm
Located near the entrance/exit, the zoo also has a petting farm, where visitors can interact with farm animals
Cows,
Sheep,
Pigs,
Goats,
Rabbits,
Chickens,
Other animals
There is a Snake park with in Campus.
There is a beautiful lake within the zoo.
Carefully recreated habitats:
Their habitats have been carefully recreated, there is no cage in this Zoo and you can feel the wellbeing of the inhabitants. The Zoo has worked on an expansion project for 20 years including a huge African Plains area, a new sea lion cove habitat, a forest trail for the elephants, a forest for the orangutan and a rainforest for the gorilla.
Play Forest:
Dublin Zoo has got a free and innovative play area for children (mainly kids aged from 3 to 10). Named Play Forest, it is strategically located across the lake from the main entrance, just past the main Asian Forest attractions — or about a 10 minute walk if you weren’t stopping to look at the animals. The play area includes fun wooden climbing structures and a giant slide.
There are restaurants and souvenir shops within the campus.
There are lot of seating arrangements in the campus. It’s really good option to relax yourself after a long walk. If you have taken food from home, you can take advantage of the numerous picnic areas scattered throughout the zoo.
If interested, you can also adopt animals.
https://www.dublinzoo.ie/67/Adopt-an-Animal.aspx
Dublin zoo has live web cams. You can see them (Elephants, penguins) here:
https://www.dublinzoo.ie/17/Webcams.aspx
Tesco Clubcard points can be converted into Dublin Zoo passes.
