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4 Things we Love about Herbert Park
Herbert Park has been one of our regular weekend spots for a few years now. We reverse our Crepe Wagon into the corner nice and early every Sunday morning so the Crepe plate is hopping from 11am – 4pm. It’s a fantastic weekend location and it provides Dublin south-siders with the chance to sample speciality street foods in a beautiful outdoor setting. We like it because it gives us the chance to make more crepes and churros but there are plenty of things to see and do here.
Shopping in Herbert Park Food Market
There is no shortage of food in Herbert Park. On any given Sunday you could get up to 25 vendors so variety of shopping is fab. Besides us, there is a feast of fresh delights for all you foodies. We love to sample all the different delicacies. Some days we go for a delicious Taco or tasty falafels. Other days we are in the mood for cookies or cupcakes. There is no shortage of coffee to keep us going and fresh juices for the healthy. If it’s cold we like a grilled Cheese Toastie or an empanadilla with floury pastry. If its hot we grab some ice-cream or a fresh fruit. On the way home we grab a few jars of sour kimchi, the odd bottle of olive oil and a few loaves of rye bread for the week.
It is not just food though. There are flowers on sale on year round. You can buy books. There are hand carved chopping boards, cookware and seasonal gifts. Health products and jewellery are popular as are soaps and perfumes.
Things to see in Herbert Park
Herbert Park, like many other Dublin parks, is an oasis in the city. It used to be the Forty Acres, a boggy stretch of land that was flooded by the nearby Dodder river. It was reclaimed over the years and was transformed into an outdoor exhibition centre for the 1907 International Fair that attracted millions of visitors. Only the pond and the bandstand remain from this period but this provides an urbane contrast with the herons, squirrels and ducks at the river.
The seasons have a big impact on the park. The lake can ice over in the Winter. There is an explosion of orange in the Autumn. Perhaps our favourite time in Herbert Park is the Spring, when the flowers appear. The council have planted patches of wildflowers that contrast with the regimental rows of decorative flower such as tulips. You can follow a nature trail through the park to visit one of the few places in the city where native trees are encouraged. This being Dublin you will find street art and a fab multicoloured sculpture called the Bird in the playground area.
Spring is also the time when Herbert Park Cherry trees explode. This creates the Insta pretty Cherry Blossom tunnel that is a match for anything you would witness in Japan.
Activities in Herbert Park
When people are not enjoying the sights in the park they are usually involved in all sorts of healthy activities. There is a mile long running and walking route around the park with callisthenic bars for those who want to really push themselves. There are also outdoor gym points for more extreme workouts. There is a Boules and Croquet court and a Bowling Green for those who like gentler exercises. More traditional sporty types can avail of the all weather pitch, the playing fields and the tennis courts.
In the good weather you will see groups bending themselves into all sorts of shapes on the grass. On Saturdays you can watch the model boat club run rings around each other on the pond with sailing ships and fishing trawlers. Every day of the week you will hear the sound of children playing as they climb and swing on the two playgrounds.
Personally we prefer just sitting on the benches, sipping a coffee and people watching, but that is just us.
Events in Herbert Park
With such a fantastic location you can be sure that Herbert Park will attract plenty of cool events besides the Farmers Market, and it does. Every year the running route acts as the ideal spot for the local charity Goal mile. The bandstand is a natural stage for Dublin musicians to set up and jam away to their heart’s content. You will also find plenty of budding entertainers throughout the greenery. There are bodhrán groups banging, ukelele players strumming and theatre groups performing. Our favourite event is the annual car show with its classic machines on display for all the gearheads.
There you have it. Herbert Park – the hidden gem of South Dublin. Check it out some weekend and come visit us for a crepe or churro while you are at it.