Dublin Castle was built in the beginning of the 13th century , this castle was for seven hundred years the centre of English control in Ireland. It has been the headquarters of viceroys and Lord Lieutenants , and has often been the venue for State Councils and for Law Courts. It is a must see on your tours of Ireland.
It was besieged during the abortive rebellion of ‘Silken’ Thomas Fitzgerald , son of the Earl of Kildare , in 1534 , and since then several plans were made by Irish revolutionaries to seize it. Such a plan was betrayed to the authorities in 1641 before it could be put into action ; the seizure of the castle was to be the chief stratagem in Robert Emmet’s intended rebellion in 1803 ; and in 1916 a plan to seize it was abandoned , even though – unknown to the rebels – it was poorly defended at the time. Celebrated Irishmen of many generations were imprisoned and executed there , and one of the most dramatic episodes in its history was the escape from captivity of the young Donegal chieftain , Aodh Rua O Donaill , in 1591.
The castle covers a large area , and most of the structures in their present form date from a massive programme of rebuilding in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Upper Castle Yard has two splendid gateways , and originally had several great drum towers , of which five survive wither in full or fragmentary form.
The modern State Apartments are in this part of the castle , and include St. Patrick’s Hall , with elaborate paintings on the ceiling and with banners and armorial data on the walls. This Hall is the venue for major state occasions , and Presidents of Ireland are inaugurated there. An archway leads to the Lower Castle Yard , where the great Record Tower and a fine Gothic chapel are situated.
Contact us now to organise your visit to Dublin Castle on your tours of Ireland.
