The peaceful and scenic walkways, peals of laughter and glee, the idyllic gurgle of water features: these were not always the defining features of St Stephen’s Green. The open squares laid bare to the city from all corners once ran red with blood and vengeance, serving as a public execution grounds rife with chaos and barbaric violence. Today, the only remnant of the site’s troubled past is its location and continued accessibility at the heart of Dublin.

The domed crowns of trimmed trees block all view of the square grounds from above, evenly spaced across the perimeter of what might be Europe’s largest city square. Taking a stroll under the watchful gaze of the brown coated sentinels, enjoy the cover provided by the blooming greenery away from the loud honking, screaming, grating mess of the urban cityscape. The dainty tulips and dancing petals of a dozen gorgeous shades change their palettes with the seasons, handpicked and planted by the conscientious gardeners who tend to the park grounds. Steel rails gird a lookout set atop the Pulham rock work within the square, an ideal spot to simply watch the drifting waterfowl carefully preening themselves.

At the garden for the visually impaired, heavily scented herbs and shrubs exude clarifying tones which tickle your nose while signs in Braille guide the garden’s special visitors through. A waterfall shaped by human hands and shelters with eaves bearing clear hints of Victorian era architecture all add to the magic of the square grounds. A gem inlaid into the pumping urbanized veins of Dublin’s landscape, St Stephen’s Green is a rare alcove of tranquility for the people to escape to.