English: In 1790, the Irish Parliament, with the active support of The Speaker of the House, John Foster, granted funds to the Dublin Society (now the Royal Dublin Society), to establish a public botanic garden. In 1795, the Gardens were founded on lands at Glasnevin.

The original purpose of the Gardens was to promote a scientific approach to the study of agriculture. In its early years the Gardens demonstrated plants that were useful for animal and human food and medicine and for dyeing but it also grew plants that promoted an understanding of systematic botany or were simply beautiful or interesting in themselves.
Today, the overall design and contents of the Garden creates an environment that is stimulating, whether you visit for instruction or pleasure.

Within the living collections at the National Botanic Gardens they have over 300 endangered species from around the world, and 6 species already extinct in the wild. These are a vital resource, like a Noah's Ark for the future.