Ideal opportunity to explore the heritage of five of Dublin’s finest squares

Free guided tours of private houses and public urban spaces on Saturday, June 20th

Dublin Garden Squares Day, organised by the Dublin Civic Trust this Saturday, June 20th is a fantastic opportunity to explore the natural and built heritage of five of Dublin's finest squares.

It’s a chance to cycle or walk between Parnell Square, Mountjoy Square, Merrion Square, Fitzwilliam Square and St Stephen’s Green to join free guided tours of private houses and public urban spaces.

A sample of what's on offer includes a walk in St Stephen's Green led by the head gardener (starting from the Fusiliers' Arch at the top of Grafton St at 10.30am); a tour of No 9 St Stephen's Green to see the grand staircase and spectacular stuccowork by Filippo Lafranchini (noon, and early arrival advised); an amble through the Iveagh Gardens, a Victorian winter garden designed in 1865 (from Clonmel Place at 1pm); a historic tour of Parnell Square (from the gates of the Garden of Remembrance at 11am); a tour of the Baroque chapel in the Rotunda Hospital (meet at the Ambassador Theatre, 2.30pm); an architectural walking tour of Mountjoy Square (starting from No 54 Mountjoy Square West, 10am); a wander through the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 63 Merrion Square (open from 10am-1pm).

It’s also possible to take an architectural walking tour of Dublin’s last remaining private garden square tour (Pembroke St side of Fitzwilliam Square, noon) dublincivictrust.ie 01-4756911