Clock Tower is an 1850 Guinness-estate bell and clock tower in St Anne’s Park, Clontarf East, Dublin 5, Ireland. Commissioned during Benjamin Lee Guinness’s transformation of the former demesne, this four-storey landmark draws walkers, architecture enthusiasts and photographers for its yellow brickwork, carved-stone detailing and oversized historic bell.
What to Expect at Clock Tower
The tower is an outdoor monument rather than an attraction with a ticket desk or climb. Its form is most striking at close range: pale carved stone frames and decorative elements stand out against the warm yellow-brick walls, while its height makes it visible across this part of St Anne’s Park. The large bell carries the date 1850 and is more than five feet wide, anchoring the structure’s role as a functional estate bell tower as well as an ornamental focal point.
The tower belongs to the landscape created after brewery heir and public figure Benjamin Lee Guinness bought St Anne’s in 1835. It once carried inscriptions naming Guinness and members of his family, linking it directly to the family that shaped much of the estate. There is no interior public access, so plan to appreciate the masonry, bell and proportions from the surrounding paths, then continue through the park’s formal gardens and follies rather than treating it as a standalone indoor visit.
- 1850 bell: Look up at the giant bell, dated 1850 and measuring more than five feet across.
- Yellow-brick structure: The four-storey tower’s brick body gives it a distinctive colour among St Anne’s mature trees and lawns.
- Carved-stone ornament: High-quality stone trim and carvings provide the tower’s strongest architectural detail.
- Guinness estate history: The tower is part of the nineteenth-century estate developed after Benjamin Lee Guinness acquired St Anne’s in 1835.
- Park setting: Pair the monument with the Red Stables, formal rose gardens, woodland paths and other surviving estate features.
Clock Tower at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | St Anne’s Park, Clontarf East, Dublin 5, Ireland |
| Neighborhood / Area | Clontarf and Raheny, on Dublin’s north coast |
| Operating Hours | Outdoor landmark accessible daily, 24 hours |
| Admission / Price Range | Free; no ticket or reservation required |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 15 to 25 minutes for the tower; 1.5 to 2.5 hours with the park |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Dublin Bus stops on Watermill Road and Howth Road; park parking is reached from Mount Prospect Avenue |
| Official Website & Phone | Dublin City Council: St Anne’s Park; 01 222 2222 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Come in early morning for clear photographs before dog walkers and family groups become more numerous, or visit in late afternoon when the brickwork takes on warmer colour. The tower needs no booking and can be seen year-round; spring and summer make it easiest to combine with the rose garden. Use the park entrances around Mount Prospect Avenue, Watermill Road and James Larkin Road, and allow extra time to orient yourself on the estate paths.
Drivers can use the park car park accessed from Mount Prospect Avenue, though spaces are limited at weekends and during events. Much of the approach uses broad, generally level park paths suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, but grass verges, unpaved stretches and wet-weather surfaces can be uneven; the tower itself has no visitor interior or lift. Within a 5-to-15-minute walk are the Red Stables courtyard and arts centre, the formal rose garden, St Anne’s Well and the park’s woodland walks.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Clock Tower open, and what is the best time to visit?
The outdoor tower is accessible daily, 24 hours a day, as part of St Anne’s Park. Visit early in the day for quieter paths and unobstructed exterior photography, especially on weekends.
Is there an admission fee or a need to reserve?
No. Viewing the Clock Tower and walking through St Anne’s Park are free, and there is no timed entry, ticket office or reservation system. The tower is viewed from outside; it is not an open climbing attraction.
How long should I allow for Clock Tower?
Allow 15 to 25 minutes to find the tower, examine its stonework and bell, and take photographs. A fuller visit combining the Red Stables, rose garden and estate paths takes around 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Is Clock Tower suitable for children and wheelchair users?
It is a family-friendly outdoor stop with ample open space around it, though children should be supervised near the historic structure. Main park routes are broadly manageable for wheelchairs and strollers, while the tower has no interior access; accessible facilities are available around the Red Stables area.
When planning your Dublin travel guide or browsing verified attractions in Dublin, pair this stop with standout local spots including World Poverty Stone, National Botanic Gardens, Bushy Park, and St Anne's Park (0.3 km away).
