Dublin Castle
Dublin 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)
Links
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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
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