The Park is in part of the Marlay demesne which was owned by David La Touche in the 18th century. He renamed it for his wife and extended the house there, which is in the Georgian style. The house passed to Robert Tedcastle and then the Love family in the 20th century, and you can visit it on a guided tour to see the ballroom and unusual oval music room. The walled garden was built in 1794, and it has an orangery (sometimes used for exhibitions) and water fountains. Check out the kitchen garden which has fruit trees, vegetable plots and bothies for playing hide-and-seek. If it’s wet, pop into the Stables Courtyard for the weekly market or to visit the artisans who have studios there. 

If you prefer to walk outside, you can wander around the 210-acre Park and spot remnants of the 18th and 19th century design, like the boundary wall, iron entrance gates and bridges and waterfalls. There’s a lake and little boathouse, as well as a Victorian cottage called Laurelmere which the family used to use for afternoon tea. 

After Philip Love’s death in 1972, the Dublin County Council bought the park and built sports pitches. It runs a weekly Parkrun around the grounds, and the Park is the starting point for the Wicklow Way, a long-distance walking trail into the Wicklow hills. The Longitude music festival has been held here since 2013, with acts such as Kodaline, Sam Smith and Stormzy. Other artists like Bruno Mars, David Guetta and The Stone Roses have also performed at various events and concerts.