Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle, and the site on which it stands, has been a fortified, military structure since medieval times because of the its strategic location, high ground and vantage point.

In the 930's (that's right, not 1930's) it was the site of a Danish Viking fortress and formed part of the town defences. The Vikings made raids into the Irish countryside pillaging monasteries for precious ornaments, gold and silver. The Vikings were eventually defeated by the Irish army under the command of King Brian Boru in the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.

Then along came the Normans. They invaded Ireland in 1169, and built the castle in the typical Normal courtyard design with tall defensive walls and a tower on each corner. The Record Tower, still visible today, is the sole remaining tower from this medieval castle dating back to 1228. It was used as a high-security prison and held Irish hostages and priests in Tudor times.

During the many centuries of English occupation, Dublin Castle was the seat of English colonial rule in Ireland. It was the official residence of the Lord Lieutenant or Viceroy, the official royal representative. It served as a dungeon for state prisoners, the seat of parliament, the law courts, a safe place for the royal treasury and the Royal Mint. The army and police barracks, armament factories and weapons stores were all located within its precincts.

Following a major fire in 1684, much of the Castle was destroyed. Storing armaments and gun powder on site didn't help! King James directed that the old walls be taken down and stately accommodate built. Much of the present day Dublin Castle dates from the early 18th century rebuild and renovations.  During this era, Dublin grew in size to become the second largest city in the British Empire. The city expanded beyond its walls as more space was required.

The Act of Union in 1800 saw the dissolution of the parliament in Ireland, with legislative powers transferred to London. This marked the start of a period of decline in Dublin's importance. Many rich and powerful people relocated out of Dublin taking their wealth with them, leaving much unemployment and poverty behind them. Beautiful buildings throughout the city and its Georgian squares fell into a state of dilapidation and decay.

After Viceroy Wellesley moved to the new Viceregal Lodge in the Phoenix Park (now the offical residence of the Irish President) in the 1820's, Dublin Castle was mainly used by government departments, the army and the police.

During the Easter Rising of 1916 the rebels attacked and captured the Guard House. As Captain Seán Connolly raised the green flag on nearby City Hall he was shot dead by a British army sniper on the roof of Bedford Tower. James Connolly, one of the two principal rebel leaders was also crippled in the fighting. After the general surrender, he was brought to the State Apartments and held there (in a room later named after him), court martialed and and taken to Kilmainhan Gaol where he was executed by firing squad, tied to a chair because of his leg injury.

The shooting of the 1916 rebels increased the anti-British feeling in Ireland and fueled a desire for freedom from colonial rule. A guerrilla war, the Irish War of Independence, began in 1919 and lasted until 1921. Following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty which saw 26 of Ireland's 32 counties become the Irish Free State, the official hand-over of Dublin Castle from the last Lord Lieutenant Fitzalan to the rebel military commander Michael Collins took place in the Upper Yard (the Great Courtyard) on 6th December 1921. Fitzalan was reported to have said to Collins "You are seven minutes late Mr Collins", to which Collins retorted "We've been waiting over 700 years, you can have the extra seven minutes!"

Today it is used for hosting official State visits, State banquets, meetings of business leaders and governments. It is also a major tourist attraction with its highly ornate rooms and corridors are well worth a visit.

There is a guided tour (duration approximately 1 hour) of the State Apartments, Medieval Undercroft and Chapel Royal.

It is also possible to undertake a self-guided tour, which is cheaper, but does not cover all areas shown by the guided tour.

For details of opening hours and tour prices click the "More info" link.

You should also stop by the Chester Beatty Library (only a couple of minutes walking distance from the Castle) when you are in the area.