Ireland...famous for castles built by kings who often never visited them! BUT Dublin Castle is a forgotten gem of Victorian interiors...I had no idea, and the guide books sure don't mention it! If you've been watching the coverage of Queen Elizabeth II's visit to the Emerald Isle this week, you've probably seen a few shots of her inside with the Irish President and you'll see even more next week when US President Barack Obama arrives for a state visit. The castle is a working castle, government officials, police, etc have offices inside, and of course visiting dignitaries hold conferences there so guided tours aren't always available, but more often than now they're held on the hour from 10am-4pm during the week, and admission is a steal at just 3 Euros for students and 5 for adults!
Don't be put off by the fact that the castle, on approach, appears to be located in a parking lot...the INTERIOR is what's impressive here! The castle has been present on this site since at least 1170 when the Anglo-Normans first captured Dublin, but archaeologists are unsure of it's origins. Queen Victoria herself only visited the castle four times during her reign.
Above: Entrance, below Courtyard guardians surrounded by 2 FREE art museums and featuring a Celtic labryinth.
Above: Each Irish president creates their own seal before leaving office, and all are displayed at the top of stair case in the central foyer. Below: gorgeous PINK interior!
Below: the King's quarters.
Below: the ladies waiting room. The chandeliers are all Waterford crystal and the carpet was made in Dunneghal, Ireland. The design of most of the rooms is in a French style, incorporating lots of light and mirrors (trés Versailles, oui?!)
Below: Intricate crown moulding in the throne room.
Below: Queen Victoria's throne. It was originally created for her father King George V, the legs were shortened after her coronation and the footstool added so she could climb into it! The throne room is decorated in Italian style.
Below: St Patrick's Hall, where state dinners and press conferences are held...the carpet rolls up to reveal a wooden ballroom dance floor...party time anyone?
Italian artists were brought in to paint the ceilings...definitely worth looking up in here! Panels depict Henry II arriving in Ireland, and a romanticised scene of Hibernia, the name given to Ireland by the Romans. Hibernia meant "uninhabited land", and while Rome likely planned to occupy Ireland at some point, there is very little evidence for Roman activity in Ireland unlike in England and Wales.
More regal remnants around Dublin include the original buildings of Trinity College, one of Ireland's oldest and most prestigious universities, originally founded by Queen Elizabeth I to be a (controversially) protestant centre for learning. The Book of Kells are housed inside the library...I highly recommend the tour.
Keep your eyes peeled and you may see a few remnants of Victoria's reign, such as this post box outside the Collins Barracks Museum (admission is free here as well!)
