Dublin CastleDublin Castle (Irish: Caisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath) in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, is a major fortified complex, and was the seat of British rule in Ireland until 1922. Most of the complex dates from the eighteenth century, though a castle has stood on the site since the days of King John, the first Lord of Ireland, and the Castle served as the seat of English, then later British government of Ireland under the Lordship of Ireland (1171-1541), Kingdom of Ireland (1541-1800) and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1800-1922). 
Dublin Castle fulfilled a number of roles over the centuries. It was first and foremost a royal residence, resided in by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland or Viceroy of Ireland, the representative of the monarch. The Viceregal Apartments (now called the State Apartments) remain one of the most splendid sites in Dublin, and are the location of the inauguration of the President of Ireland. The second in command in the Dublin Castle administration, the Chief Secretary for Ireland, also had his offices there. Over the years, parliament and the law courts met there, before moving to new purpose-built venues. It also served as a military garrison. Throughout the British rule of Ireland, "Castle Catholic" was a pejorative term for Catholics who were seen to be overly friendly with or supportive of the British administration. Famously, the Irish Crown Jewels were stolen from the Castle in 1907. During the Anglo-Irish War the Castle was the nerve centre of the British effort against Irish separatism. On the night of Bloody Sunday in 1920, two Irish Republican Army officers and a friend were killed, "while trying to escape", in the grounds of the Castle. The Castle ceased to be used for government purposes when the Irish Free State came into being in 1922. It served for some years as temporary Courts of Justice (the Four Courts, the home of the Irish courts system had been destroyed in 1922.) Once the courts moved out, Dublin Castle was used for state ceremonial. Éamon de Valera as President of the Executive Council on behalf of King George V received credentials from ambassadors to Ireland there in the 1930s. In 1938 it was used for the inauguration of Douglas Hyde as President of Ireland. Inaugurations of subsequent presidents took place there in 1945, 1952, 1959, 1966, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1983, 1990 and 1997. President Erskine Hamilton Childers' lying-in-state took place there in November 1974, as did that of former President Eamon de Valera, in September, 1975. The castle is a tourist attraction and, following major refurbishment, is also used as a conference centre. During Ireland's presidencies of the European Union, including most recently in the first half of 2004, it has been the venue of many meetings of the European Council. The crypt of the Chapel Royal is now used as an arts centre, and occasional concerts are held in the grounds of the Castle. The complex of buildings is usually open to the public, except during state functions. Among the areas open for viewing are St. Patrick's Hall, a vast ballroom in which state presidential inaugurations take place, the Throne Room, containing a throne from the reign of King William III, and the Viceregal Apartments, which include the rooms once used by the Lords Lieutenant and visiting members of the Royal Family. The last dignitary to stay in the royal bedrooms was Margaret Thatcher, who spent the night there with her husband Dennis during the 1979 European Council meeting. Dublin Castle is currently maintained by the Office of Public Works, and houses, among other things, offices of the Revenue Commissioners, in a twentieth century building at the end of the Castle Yard, some elements of the Office of Public Works itself, in an old stables area, and some functions of the Garda Siochana. The castle complex also hosts the Chester Beatty Library, in a purpose-constructed facility.
"On 6th December 1921, the Anglo Irish Treaty was signed by which twenty-six (of the thirty-two) counties of Ireland became the Irish Free State (now a Republic) - so ending seven and a half centuries of English colonial rule. The rebel military commander Michael Collins, arrived in the Upper Yard (the Great Courtyard) of Dublin Castle on 16th January 1922 and received the handover of the Castle, from the last Lord Lieutenant FitzAlan, on behalf of the new Irish Government. Remarkably, FitzAlan's coat of arms occupies the final available space in the Castle's Chapel Royal. We are fortunate that Dublin Castle survived the subsequent Civil War, the transition to Irish nationhood and fall into disrepair. The site has been occupied over the ages and modified to suit its ever-changing functions. All the historic buildings have been restored and the Castle is now fully integrated into Irish society. It now plays host to European Union Presidencies, Heads of State, and leaders of business, industry and government. It is also a major tourist attraction and citizens of all nations experience the varied facilities and the unique historic layers revealed throughout the complex - from the Medieval Tower to the world treasures of the Chester Beatty Library and from the Viking Defence Bank to the splendid State Apartments. " - Denis McCarthy, Dublin Castle at the Heart of Irish History, Dubin, 2002. Source: Wikipedia (July 2007)
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| "Dublin Castle was founded in 1204 by order of King John who wanted a fortress constructed for the administration of the city. Through to the 15th Century the castle was mainly administrative, concerned with setting up the machinery of government than defence. In 1534, however, the castle was subjected to a siege by Thomas Fitzgerald or Silken Thomas. At the Council of State gathering at St Mary's Abbey, he renounced his allegiance to the King as he was under the impression that his father, the Earl, had been executed in London. This attack from one side only was easily defended. Later Fitzgerald was captured and he was executed with five uncles in London. By the beginning of the 17th Century the castle was fully developed with law courts, meetings of Parliament, the residence of the Viceroy and a council chamber. It was a violent period with many attempts being made to capture the castle. Originally the castle, like the city wall, had a building-free zone outside its perimeter for easier defence, but as the years passed and the city developed, this was filled in leaving the castle more vulnerable. However, the main danger was not from without but within. On the 7th April 1684 a fire broke out in the Viceregal quarters. New designs by the Surveyor General, Sir William Robinson, were constructed by October 1688. Today the castle is used for State functions and is home to the Irish Assay Office." http://www.archeire.com |
