The Suzhou Garden in St Anne's Park, Dublin, has officially reopened following extensive restoration works undertaken in collaboration with the Suzhou Garden Bureau in China, Dublin City Council has announced. Originally gifted to the city in 2012 by the People's Republic of China, the traditional Chinese garden was initially showcased at the Bloom Festival before being permanently installed in St Anne's Park.

Designed by skilled artisans from Suzhou, a city celebrated for its classical gardens, the Suzhou Garden has become a significant cultural landmark and a symbol of friendship between Ireland and China. The reopening ceremony, held this morning, was attended by H.E. Zhao Xiyuan, the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Ireland, underscoring the ongoing cultural partnership between Dublin and Suzhou.


Speaking at the reopening, Noel McEvoy of Dublin City Council stated, “For the last thirteen years, the Irish Suzhou garden in St. Anne's Park has become a little corner of China. Despite its petite size it has been a tangible expression of Chinese culture expressed in garden design.”

The restoration project involved a unique collaboration between Irish and Chinese craftsmen, facilitating a valuable exchange of knowledge, shared craftsmanship, and mutual cultural understanding. The newly refurbished garden continues to showcase traditional Chinese landscape architecture, reinforcing Dublin's dedication to preserving this important cultural asset.

The reopening of the Suzhou Garden also coincides with the 46th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and China, adding further significance to the event. The garden offers a space of beauty and tranquillity, encouraging visitors to St Anne's Park to experience Chinese culture in a serene environment.

Dublin City Council expressed its gratitude to all individuals from both China and Ireland who contributed to the restoration project and invited the public to visit and appreciate the beauty and serenity of the Suzhou Garden in St. Anne's Park.