The exhibition of paintings on Merrion Square began in 1984 and has continued to grow ever since. The exhibition has now expanded so much that it now includes three sides on Merrion Square covering over half a kilometre of railings.

Each pitch is indicated by a small number set into the pavement and licences are granted to the artists each year to exhibit. The popularity of Merrion Square has meant that this year 72 new artists have started for the first time.

Merrion Square is Dublin's grandest Georgian square. It is especially known for its Georgian houses with their brightly painted doors and their fanlights, Leinster House, and the National Gallery. In one corner, you can find the sculpture of Oscar Wilde reclining on a rock and on one side of the square is the Rutland Fountain.

Rutland Fountain

No. 1 Merrion Square

Plaques on the walls of the Georgian houses that surround Merrion Square show the famous people who used to live there. No. 1 Oscar Wilde, Nos. 52 and 82 William Butler Yeats, No. 58 Daniel O'Connell, No. 70 Sheridan Le Fanu, No. 84 George William Russell, No. 77 Andrew O'Connor Sculptor, No. 65 Edward Schrödinger, No. 64 John Lighton Synge.

Merrion Square was set out between 1762 and 1764 and three sides of it remain the finest example of Georgian Architecture to be seen in Ireland. The fourth side is occupied by Leinster House and the National Gallery.

Merrion Square was originally kept for the private use of the residents of the surrounding buildings. The Catholic Church purchased it as a possible site for the first catholic cathedral in Dublin. The park was leased in 1974 by the St Laurence O'Toole Diocesan Trust (acting on behalf of the Archdiocese of Dublin) to the Dublin Corporation for public use and was named in honour of Archbishop Dermot Ryan by the City Council. Now you can walk in the park in the sunshine and enjoy the free concerts during summer as well as viewing the art on display on the railings on Sundays.

There are many fine sculptures dotted around the park, each with it's own commemoration of historical events or people.

One of the most loved of all is The 'Jesters Chair' a memorial to Writer, Satirist, Actor and Comic Dermot Morgan. He won a BAFTA for the best comedy performance in 1998 and is best remembered for his role as Father Ted Crilly in the television series Father Ted.

He died on 28th February 1998 of a heart attack just 24 hours after recording the last episode of Father Ted while hosting a party in his home.