Dublin Castle

Thursday, 3 May 2012

Dublin Castle is located in Dame Street, Dublin, Ireland. During the XIII century a wall was built around Dublin and in the next seven centuries the principal part of the wall, Dublin Castle, was developed and became a symbol of the English domination. Nowadays there aren’t any traces of the original structure except for the Record Tower.

Through the years this castle fulfilled different roles. Originally it was a defensive fortification but later became the royal residence. It also was used as a court.

The Throne Room is a very important room of the Castle. It was built in 1740 and contains a huge throne that was built in 1821. This Throne was built to George IV especially because he weighted 111Kg. Queen Elizabeth II was the first queen to officially visit the Republic of Ireland, it happened in May 2011. She was the first monarch to enter in Dublin Castle and not use the throne.
St Patrick’s Hall is the largest room of the castle and contains one of the most important decorative interiors in Ireland. It is one of the oldest rooms in the castle, dating from the 1740s.  The most significant painted ceiling in Ireland executed by Vincenzo Valdre is painted in the ceiling of this room. It is composed of three panels, the ceiling depicts the coronation of King George III, Saint Patrick introducing Christianity to Ireland, and King Henry II receiving the submission of the Irish Chieftains.

Beside the Castle is located the chapel royal, a gothic revival building designed by Francis Johnston. This church nowadays is not used and it’s only preserved in order to be visited by tourists.

Dublin castle in these days is used for hosting official government visits and it is opened to the public.

  Diana Barros