Halloween at Abbey Grounds Park
Something spooky is coming to Abbey Grounds Park this Halloween. Full details will be announced soon – keep an eye on What’s On.
Coming Soon
A place to connect
with nature, heritage
and community
Abbey Grounds Park is a new place to explore, play and discover in the heart of Wicklow Town.
For Nature
Explore green spaces, walking paths and the natural beauty of Abbey Grounds Park.
For the Arts
A place for creativity, culture, performances and shared experiences.
For Community
A welcoming space to meet, gather, play and spend time together.
For Heritage
Discover the story of the Abbey and centuries of history at the heart of Wicklow Town.
Explore Abbey Grounds Park
Abbey Grounds Park has been transformed into a welcoming public space in the heart of Wicklow Town – a place for nature, heritage, creativity and community to come together.
From the historic Abbey and landscaped green spaces to the maze, amphitheatre and Rise Café, the park offers somewhere to explore, play, meet, relax and discover.
Designed to be welcoming (free entry) and accessible, Abbey Grounds Park brings new life to an important part of Wicklow’s heritage while creating a place for the community and visitors to enjoy today and for generations to come.
01.
01.
The Abbey
Discover the historic Abbey ruins and centuries of Wicklow's heritage.
02.
02.
The Maze
Explore, play and find your way through the park's maze.
03.
03.
The Amphitheatre
An outdoor setting for performances, events and community gatherings.
04.
04.
Rise Café
Relax and enjoy great coffee and food in the heart of the park.
05.
05.
The Park
Walk, relax and enjoy the park's landscaped green spaces.
06.
06.
Community Space
A welcoming place to meet, gather and enjoy time together.
07.
07.
Relax in Nature
Slow down, take a walk and enjoy the natural surroundings.
08.
08.
Family Friendly
A place for families to explore, play and make memories together.
Hold an Event
at Abbey Grounds Park
From community gatherings and workshops to cultural
events and performances, Abbey Grounds Park offers a
unique setting in the heart of Wicklow Town.
What’s On
Discover what’s happening at Abbey Grounds Park, from seasonal celebrations and family activities to community events, live performances and more.
Christmas at Abbey Grounds Park
Something festive is coming to Abbey Grounds Park this Christmas. Full details will be announced soon – keep an eye on What’s On.
Coming Soon
Rise Café
More than a café, Rise is a place to relax, connect and enjoy great coffee and food in the beautiful surroundings of Abbey Grounds Park.
Operated by Wicklow Social Enterprise, every euro of profit is reinvested in supporting the local community.
The Abbey
At the heart of Abbey Grounds Park stand the remains of Wicklow’s historic Franciscan Abbey – a place that connects today’s park with centuries of local history.
The Abbey Grounds have long been part of the story of Wicklow Town. Archaeological work carried out during the redevelopment has helped reveal more about the people who lived, worshipped and were laid to rest here, adding new chapters to our understanding of this remarkable site.
Today, the preserved ruins form a striking centrepiece within the park connecting Wicklow’s past with a new public space created for generations to come.
Discover the Story
13th Century Franciscan Friary
Built around 1265
Medieval burials discovered here
Latest News
Stories, updates and inspiration from Abbey Grounds Park from our heritage and community to events and everything happening across the park.
The Story of Abbey Grounds Park
A historic place in the heart of Wicklow Town has been reimagined as a welcoming new space for nature, heritage, culture and community.
A New Chapter for Wicklow’s Historic Abbey
Standing at the heart of Abbey Grounds Park, the ruins of Wicklow's historic Franciscan friary provide a remarkable connection to centuries of local history.
Taste of Wicklow at Abbey Grounds Park
Food, music, entertainment and community came together as Taste of Wicklow returned to the newly redeveloped Abbey Grounds in July 2026.
Join Our Community
Be the first to hear about upcoming events, park news, community activities and everything happening at Abbey Grounds Park.
Get in Touch
Have a question about Abbey Grounds Park, planning your visit or holding an event? We'd be delighted to hear from you.
- General enquiries hello@abbeygroundspark.ie
- Event enquiries events@abbeygroundspark.ie
Frequently Asked Questions
Abbey Grounds Park is a welcoming community destination in the heart of Wicklow Town and home to the historic Abbey Grounds. For generations, these grounds have been part of the town’s story. Today, they are a welcoming place where people can meet, relax, connect and spend time together, while discovering the rich history of this special place.
Abbey Grounds Park is owned by Wicklow County Council and operated by Wicklow Social Enterprise, a partnership between Wicklow Town Community Development and Tiglin.
Wicklow County Council acquired the Abbey Grounds from St. Patrick’s Church with the vision of creating a new community amenity. Building on the early vision and commitment of Wicklow Town Team, the park has been redeveloped with support from Fáilte Ireland under the Destination Town Capital Programme.
Visitors can enjoy landscaped green spaces, walking paths, seating areas and Rise Café. As the final phase of works is completed, even more areas of the park will open for everyone to enjoy.
Abbey Grounds Park and Rise Café are open daily from 8am to 6pm.
Yes. Abbey Grounds Park has been designed as an inclusive community space with accessible pathways and facilities to help everyone enjoy their visit.
Yes. Parking is available nearby for visitors to Abbey Grounds Park:
- Abbey Street (AIB) Car Park
- Church Street Car Park
- St. Patrick’s Hill Car Park
- The Murrough Car Park
Yes. Dogs are welcome at Abbey Grounds Park but must be kept on a lead at all times. Owners are kindly asked to clean up after their dogs to help keep the park enjoyable for everyone.
Yes. At the heart of Abbey Grounds Park is Rise Café, a social enterprise café operated by Wicklow Social Enterprise. Every euro of profit is reinvested back into supporting the local community. Rise Café is open daily from 8am to 6pm.
If you’re interested in holding a community event or activity at Abbey Grounds Park, please email events@abbeygroundspark.ie and a member of the team will be happy to discuss your enquiry.
Abbey Grounds Park is currently opening in phases. Visitors can already enjoy the grounds and Rise Café, with additional areas expected to open as the final phase of works is completed.
If you have any questions about Abbey Grounds Park or Rise Café, please email hello@abbeygroundspark.ie and a member of the team will be happy to help.
