Airfield Estate, located in Dundrum, Dublin 14, is Dublin’s only urban working farm and gardens, spanning 38 acres. Established as a charitable trust by the Overend family in 1974 for educational and recreational purposes, this agritourism site offers a family-friendly experience that celebrates sustainable agriculture, heritage, and nature.
Easily accessible from Dublin city center (20-minute drive via M50 Junction 13 or a 5-minute walk from Balally Luas Green Line stop), the estate is open Tuesday to Sunday and bank holidays from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM (7 days a week in July and August, 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM), with last admission one hour before closing. Admission ranges from free for children under 3 to €15 for adults, with carers admitted free. Pre-booking is recommended but not mandatory, and annual pass holders can enter without booking.
- Working Farm: Visitors can engage with sustainable farming practices, observing animals like Jersey cows, Saanen goats, Oxford Sandy and Black pigs, Jacob sheep, hens, and donkeys. Daily activities include watching cow milking, egg collection, and animal feeding by the farm team (timings vary, check www.airfield.ie). The farm emphasizes regenerative and organic farming, offering hands-on learning about food production. Note that it’s not a petting zoo, so feeding or touching animals is prohibited for safety.
- Gardens: The 6-acre gardens, designed by Head Gardener Colm O’Driscoll and international designers like Arabella Lennox-Boyd, feature a walled garden with vibrant herbaceous borders (blooming April to frost), an organic food garden supplying Overends Kitchen, a Victorian glasshouse with cacti and pelargoniums, and annual meadow gardens (flowering mid-July to frost). Seasonal walking trails through native woodlands showcase century-old redwoods and wildlife, ideal for leisurely strolls or picnics.
- World of Soil Exhibition: A highlight is the interactive World of Soil exhibition, which explores soil formation, its role in agriculture, and its response to climate change through hands-on displays. Included with admission, it’s educational for all ages and underscores Airfield’s mission as a sustainable food hub.
- Heritage The Overend family home, an Anglo-Irish “big house” built circa 1830, offers a self-guided audio tour (available in English) detailing the estate’s history, including the Overend sisters’ charitable work with Saint John Ambulance and Laura Lynn Foundation. The vintage car garage displays Letitia Overend’s 1927 Rolls-Royce and other artifacts, highlighting the family’s legacy in self-sufficiency and rallies.
- Activities and Events: The estate features outdoor play areas with climbing frames, slides, swings, and a zip wire for kids up to 12, plus a Naturescape play area. Family workshops (e.g., Young Gardener and Parent & Child Cooking for ages 8–12) and seasonal events like farmers’ markets (Fridays and Saturdays) offer local produce, from jams to meats. Guided garden tours (in English, book via gardens@airfield.ie) and monthly gardener talks (second Saturday, 10:30 AM) provide deeper insights.
- Dining: Overends Kitchen (seats 120, open 9:30 AM–3:30 PM) serves “field-to-fork” meals using estate produce, with breakfast and lunch options like artisan sandwiches and salads (€10–15). The Stables Café (seats 50, open 9:30 AM–5:00 PM) offers takeout coffee, sandwiches, and baked treats. The Green Barn BBQ operates weekends, and picnic benches are scattered throughout. Visitors note high food prices but praise quality. Card payments only.
- Facilities: The estate is highly accessible, earning the 2017 JCI Dublin’s Friendliest Business for Disability Access award. Features include wheelchair-accessible paths, lifts, toilets, and a sensory-friendly environment. Free visitor maps are available in English, French, Spanish, Italian, and German. The gift shop sells souvenirs, and Howbert & Mays Garden Shop offers plants and bulbs. Wi-Fi is available at dining areas and The Hive Suite. Bicycles can be parked, but wheeled toys and balls are not allowed.
- Visitor Feedback: Airfield holds a TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice award for its well-maintained grounds and family appeal. Visitors praise the gardens’ beauty, educational value, and play areas but note occasional issues like empty animal enclosures or closed playgrounds (check schedules online). A visit typically lasts 3–4 hours, ideal for families, gardeners, and food enthusiasts. Some find admission (€12–15) pricey if animals are less visible, but the estate’s charitable mission and sustainability focus add value.
What’s New:
- Community Garden Expansion: Building on its 2024 launch, Airfield’s community garden continues to grow as a hub for sustainable food production and biodiversity. Supported by partnerships like Toast, it hosts workshops and events to educate visitors on local food systems, aligning with Airfield’s goal to make Dublin a world-leading sustainable food city. Expect new community-focused programmes, such as gardening workshops or youth activism initiatives led by the Youth Board, following their 2024 “Food Systems Through the Eyes of Young People” report.
- Airfield Estate Food Festival (September 2025): This popular event will feature farm-to-fork tastings, chef demos, and local artisan vendors. New elements may include sustainability-focused talks or youth-led activities, building on the estate’s 2024 collaborations with horticulturists and growers. Check www.airfield.ie for confirmed dates and additions.
- Commercial Sustainability Initiatives: With Kate Milligan appointed as commercial director in 2024, Airfield is enhancing its financial sustainability through expanded educational programmes like FarmerTime and new social partnerships. Visitors may see new corporate or school group events, such as “taster” sessions for businesses, or enhanced community garden activities, continuing from 2024’s focus.
- Santa Experience: The 2024 Santa Experience received mixed feedback due to inconsistent quality (e.g., a lackluster Santa and reduced activities). For 2025, Airfield may refine this event with improved theming, better-trained staff, or additional crafts like decorating and hot chocolate offerings, as these were missed in 2024. Updates will be posted on the estate’s website closer to December.
- Airfield’s commitment to sustainability, evidenced by its Reed Bed Filtration system and organic certification, enhances its appeal as an educational hub. Visitors should book tickets online to avoid queues, especially during peak events like Woolapalooza. Public transport (Luas or buses 14, 44, 75) is recommended due to limited parking. For the latest 2025 event details, contact hello@airfield.ie or visit www.airfield.ie.
