The garden at Richmond Barracks is a calm green space in the middle of the city.
It is home to a wide variety of plant and flower species, as well as two bee hives.
Since restrictions have eased in 2021, the garden has been full of activity, with new vegetable beds being laid and prepared for the spring months.
Our wonderful Eco-Gardener in Residence, Polly Rowley-Sams, has been working with us to ensure that the garden is a healthy, biodiverse, and restful place to connect with nature.
During the pandemic, we started a series of online gardening courses, from which a group of enthusiastic gardeners was formed. Members of this group regularly tend to the new beds, and there will be eco-gardening courses running on an ongoing basis in the garden. We’re looking forward to installing a rainwater harvesting system, and as proud members of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, will be undertaking more initiatives to ensure biodiversity is central to garden activities.
A pergoda and tent were installed in late 2021, so we can bring more of our painting, dance, writing, and family history classes together outdoors in the new year.
If you’d learn more about activities in the garden or find out you can get involved, contact us on info@richmondbarracks.ie
Since 2020, Eco-Gardener Polly Rowley-Sams has looked after the garden. Her role focuses on developing the biodiversity of the garden, helping people learn about eco-gardening through a year-round programme of workshops and activities, and ongoing support of the community gardeners who have plots in the Richmond Barracks garden.
There are lots of ways to join in and experience the garden at Richmond Barracks. Some of the things we do are:
You can find out what is on in the garden on our What's On page, or come visit anytime we are open to relax and enjoy the green space.
We have Biodiversity Worksheets in our reception area that children can use to explore the garden with puzzles, maps and information about the garden and biodiversity. You can also download a copy here.
The community garden is an area with both raised and low beds where people can try growing their own vegetables and herbs. No experience in gardening is necessary and Polly is on hand to help with advice.
If you would like to find out more about getting involved in community gardening, you can contact us on 01 524 2532 or email Polly at ecogardener@richmondbarracks.ie
The Richmond Barracks garden forms part of an ‘ecological corridor’ that connects the Grand Canal to the South, and the River Liffey and Phoenix Park to the North. This important green space helps insects, birds and mammals move safely through the landscape of the city of Dublin.
Over the years, Polly has focused on developing garden projects and habitats that support wildlife on these journeys. For example, she has added small nature ponds throughout the garden that provide somewhere for them to rest and have a drink. We also have bird boxes and a bat box, and bee hives (see below).
We champion best practice in supporting biodiversity and follow the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and the Dublin City Biodiversity Action Plan. We plant for pollinators, adding in native Irish species and improving garden design, with the protection and creation of habitats consistently at the forefront.
We have a pair of Langstrath beehives with two colonies of native Irish black bees that are looked after by Joan the beekeeper. We do not use pesticides, and we are continually composting and water harvesting.
If you’d like to learn more about activities in the garden or find out how you can get involved, contact us at info@richmondbarracks.ie
You can also sign up to our monthly newsletter where Polly gives seasonal updates about the garden and you can find out about upcoming activities.
Page last updated: 21 October 2026