6 Off Leash Dog Parks in Dublin

We are all too familiar with what it means to be locked up inside by now. As Spring is approaching and the rainy days are behind us, it's time for us dog owners to start enjoying open spaces and going out for long walks again and our poor pups are all too happy to get out of the house as well!

 

A lot of us aren't 5km from our favorite dog beach, walking paths, and woods, but good news; we have compiled a list of the best off-leash dog park in Dublin where your furry friends can run around in circles like a lunatic!

 

With the huge boom in dog adoptions this year, pet owners should know that it's really important for their new dog to socialize early, even if we aren't allowed to... Zoom means something very different for a little puppy! Dog's are social animals and a great way for the average dog owner to make sure their dog plays nicely is to take them to their first dog park, and other dog-friendly areas, young. Dog parks are friendly places where puppies can be introduced into the neighborhood pack in a safe and constructive way. Even for older dogs that find themselves getting into dog fights often, a quiet, fenced dog park can be a safe space to burn off all that excess energy before some positive leash play to work on their bad habits.

 

Keep reading to find the best dog park near you.

Some local councils have really stepped up the game with their open areas and dog parks. There are some which have a totally fenced-in play area so you can stop and chat without having to worry if your hyper-active dogs have gone off to see the ducks. Some have doggie swimming ponds, park benches, and picnic tables for the Humans, waste stations, and water stations. Some even have small dog areas and big dog areas separated to stop the little terriers from going around causing mischief with the larger dogs!

 

We are working to populate the website with dog parks where you can take your pup to chase a ball, chase a tail, or just sit under a tree (...perhaps when the ground is not quite so soggy). Below is a list of some of the best dog parks in and around Dublin for you to check out and make some new tail-wagging friends along the way.

 

If your local city park doesn't have an off-leash fenced area, be sure to put it to your local council. This summer will see a lot of people staying in the country, and hopefully, we will be able to relax with a little bit more normality in the parks. Dog parks are a great idea and a simple way to mediate between dog paw-rents and the rest of the park users. 

Address: Clontarf East, Dublin

The whole of St Anne's Park is off-leash from opening until 11am and then again for the last hour before closing the park. For the rest of the day, they have a large designated fenced-in area next to the model car track for your pup to run around. The ground has been covered with wood chips to help keep the paws from getting too muddy and there are plenty of shade trees for your dog to run circles around. There is a water station, two waste stations, and park benches for the human park users. The park has a separate small dog run making it a great place to start socializing your young dog!

Address: Shankill, Dublin, D18 HD27

The Shanganagh Dog Park is open 24 hours making a great choice for paw-rents who have long business hours but still want to give their pups a chance to blow off some of that excess energy stored up after a long day on the couch. This grassy park is fenced in so no need to worry about traffic. There are lots of trash cans to keep the park clean, however, there is not a water spigot so bring a bottle if your dog is one for sprinting when off-leash.

Address: Marlay Park House, Grange Rd, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16

Open from 9 am-5 pm, The Marlay Dog Park is double gated for pup security and has separate areas for big dogs and small dogs so your pooch can feel comfortable running around off-leash. There are waste bins but no water fountains and it can get muddy here so don't forget the wellies if it's been raining!

Address: 10-, 24 Johnsbridge Park, Lucan, Co. Dublin

The Griffeen Valley Dog Park is another 24-hour dog park where your pooch can blow of some steam at any time. The fenced off-leash park has a double gate at the entrance to keep your pup safe.

Address: Tallaght, Dublin

Open from 10 am - 8 pm, Tymon Dog Park is another great park with an off-leash area to burn off the extra energy with your dog before making a more leisurely walk around the rest of the enormous Tymon Park, with lakes, fields, and woodlands spanning both sides of the M50. The two entrances to the fenced area are double-gated to catch any naughty pups and there are a couple of park benches for the humans. 

Address: Naas Rd, Newlands Cross, Dublin 22

Corkagh Park is another great park with plenty of room on the outskirts of Dublin with plenty to do for all the family, including a large space fenced in, where your dog can run off-leash and burn off all that extra energy before meandering around the rest of the park at a more leisurely pace. The dog run has double gates, a couple of picnic benches, and a drinking water spigot. The park is open from 10 am - 5 pm in the winter and 10 am - 9 pm in the summer months. 

It's a great idea to familiarise yourself with the dog park rules the first time you visit. To avoid play ending in bite wounds or more serious injuries, custodians of a dog should be aware of basic dog behavior and canine body language before letting their pups play off-leash around strange dogs. Owners of an aggressive dog or a dog who have previously exhibited aggressive behavior or inappropriate behavior should train with positive leash fun in leashed dog areas. Owners of female dogs should pay extra care and avoid the off-leash areas altogether when their pups are in season. 

 

**Please note that Listed Breeds (Control of Dogs Regulations 1998) must be muzzled and leashed at all times: American Pit Bull Terrier, Ban Dog, Bull Mastiff, Doberman Pinscher, English Bull Terrier, German Shepherd (Alsation), Japanese Akita, Japanese Tosa, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Any crossbreed of the above.