Post on 10-May-2015
Dublin CastleDublin Castle
VikingsVikingsIn 930, the Vikings built In 930, the Vikings built
fortifications on the river fortifications on the river Liffey. The site was called Liffey. The site was called
Dubh Linn in Gaelic Dubh Linn in Gaelic (pronounced Dub Lin), which (pronounced Dub Lin), which
means Black Water. Their means Black Water. Their settlement quickly became the settlement quickly became the main Viking military base and main Viking military base and trading centre of slaves and trading centre of slaves and
silver, in Ireland. The silver, in Ireland. The Scandanavian rulers had Scandanavian rulers had
control of the Irish Sea and control of the Irish Sea and attacked deep into the centre attacked deep into the centre of Ireland, where monasteries, of Ireland, where monasteries, with their precious treasures, with their precious treasures, were easy targets. Eventually were easy targets. Eventually their power was broken when their power was broken when were heavily defeated by an were heavily defeated by an
Irish army under the command Irish army under the command of King Brian Boru, at the of King Brian Boru, at the Battle of Clontarft, 1014.Battle of Clontarft, 1014.
Sculpture of Sculpture of King Brian King Brian
Boru, Boru, Chapel Chapel Royal,Royal, Dublin Dublin CastleCastle
NormansNormansWhen the Normans When the Normans
invaded Dublin in 1169, invaded Dublin in 1169, they picked Dublin Castle they picked Dublin Castle
as their stronghold. as their stronghold. NNeither the Irish nor the either the Irish nor the Vikings could withstand Vikings could withstand the Norman invasion of the Norman invasion of 1169. The Vikings were 1169. The Vikings were
ejected and the Normans ejected and the Normans became the next became the next
occupiers of Dublin. They occupiers of Dublin. They strengthened and strengthened and
expanded the existing expanded the existing town walls.town walls.
The first 'castle' in the proper sense of the word - stone walls and ditches - The first 'castle' in the proper sense of the word - stone walls and ditches - was completed by the English in 1230. The Great Courtyard of today was completed by the English in 1230. The Great Courtyard of today
corresponds closely with these fortifications, with the Record Tower as the corresponds closely with these fortifications, with the Record Tower as the last intact medieval tower of Dublin. last intact medieval tower of Dublin.
The Record Tower is the last intact tower of The Record Tower is the last intact tower of Dublin Castle. Its walls are very thick as it was Dublin Castle. Its walls are very thick as it was often used as a high security prison. However, often used as a high security prison. However, it was not secure enough to contain the Irish it was not secure enough to contain the Irish
Chieftain, Red Hugh O'Donnell, who made two Chieftain, Red Hugh O'Donnell, who made two successful escapes from the tower. The tower successful escapes from the tower. The tower
now houses the Garda (Police) Museum.now houses the Garda (Police) Museum.
Many of the Castle's functions changed over the Many of the Castle's functions changed over the centuries. It was always the centre of the English colonial centuries. It was always the centre of the English colonial administration. Dublin Castle was the dungeon for state administration. Dublin Castle was the dungeon for state prisoners and the seat of Parliament. The Courts of Law prisoners and the seat of Parliament. The Courts of Law also met at Dublin Castle. The Castle housed the the also met at Dublin Castle. The Castle housed the the Royal Treasury and the Royal Mint, army and police Royal Treasury and the Royal Mint, army and police barracks, armaments factories and weapons stores.barracks, armaments factories and weapons stores.
Star Star and and
Badge Badge of the of the Order Order of St. of St.
PatrickPatrick
In 1783, King George III In 1783, King George III established the Order of St. established the Order of St.
Patrick The granting of Patrick The granting of knighthoods was seen as a way knighthoods was seen as a way
of rewarding and ensuring of rewarding and ensuring loyalty.loyalty.
The ceremony of Knighthood The ceremony of Knighthood took place in St. Patrick's hall. took place in St. Patrick's hall. The Irish Crown Jewels was the The Irish Crown Jewels was the
name given to the valuable, name given to the valuable, jewelled objects which the jewelled objects which the monarch wore during the monarch wore during the ceremony. In 1903, it was ceremony. In 1903, it was
decided that the jewels should decided that the jewels should be stored at Dublin Castle be stored at Dublin Castle
where a new strong room had where a new strong room had been installedbeen installed..
The Mystery of the Missing Crown The Mystery of the Missing Crown JewelsJewels
. . The jewels were discovered missing four days before a The jewels were discovered missing four days before a visit by King Edward VII in 1907. The King was furious - visit by King Edward VII in 1907. The King was furious - he had intended to bestow a Knighthood. Instead, the he had intended to bestow a Knighthood. Instead, the ceremony was cancelled. The whereabouts of the Irish ceremony was cancelled. The whereabouts of the Irish
Crown Jewels still remains a mysteryCrown Jewels still remains a mystery..
The Throne Room
State Drawing RoomState Drawing RoomBuilt in the 1830s as the principal reception room of Built in the 1830s as the principal reception room of the Lord Lieutenant and his household, today this the Lord Lieutenant and his household, today this room is reserved in use for the reception of foreign room is reserved in use for the reception of foreign dignitaries. dignitaries.
St Patrick’s HallSt Patrick’s HallThis is the grandest room of the State Apartments, and This is the grandest room of the State Apartments, and
contains one of the most important decorative interiors in contains one of the most important decorative interiors in Ireland. Formerly the ballroom of the Lord Lieutenant's Ireland. Formerly the ballroom of the Lord Lieutenant's administration, today the room is used for presidential administration, today the room is used for presidential
inaugurations.inaugurations.
Easter 1916 Easter 1916 RisingRising
As a symbol of English As a symbol of English reign, Dublin Castle reign, Dublin Castle
was a key target was a key target during the Easter during the Easter
Rising of 1916, which Rising of 1916, which marked the first step marked the first step towards the end of towards the end of
British rule in Ireland. British rule in Ireland. One of the first One of the first
fatalities of the Rising fatalities of the Rising was a policeman was a policeman
named O'Brien, who named O'Brien, who attempted to shut the attempted to shut the Castle's Cork Hill Gate Castle's Cork Hill Gate on an advancing rebel on an advancing rebel
party.party.
Cork Hill Gate
Captain Séan Connolly who fired the Captain Séan Connolly who fired the shot was killed by army snipers shot was killed by army snipers
located on the roof of Bedford Tower located on the roof of Bedford Tower when he attempted to raise the when he attempted to raise the rebel flag on adjacent City Hall.rebel flag on adjacent City Hall.
Bedford Tower
Handing the Castle over to the IrishHanding the Castle over to the IrishFor over seven centuries, Dublin Castle was a symbol of British rule in Ireland. For over seven centuries, Dublin Castle was a symbol of British rule in Ireland. On January 16th 1922, Michael Collins received the handover of the Castle on On January 16th 1922, Michael Collins received the handover of the Castle on
behalf of the new Irish Free State behalf of the new Irish Free State Government.Government.
Lord Lieutenant FitzAlan is reported to have said, "You are seven minutes late Lord Lieutenant FitzAlan is reported to have said, "You are seven minutes late Mr. Collins" to which he received the reply "We've been waiting over seven Mr. Collins" to which he received the reply "We've been waiting over seven
hundred years, you can have the extra seven minutes!". hundred years, you can have the extra seven minutes!".
From the film: Michael Collins
The castle is a tourist attraction and, following major The castle is a tourist attraction and, following major refurbishment, is also used as a conference centre. refurbishment, is also used as a conference centre.
During Ireland's presidencies of the European Union it During Ireland's presidencies of the European Union it has been the venue of many meetings of the European has been the venue of many meetings of the European
Council. Council.
The Crypt of the castle is now used as an arts centre The Crypt of the castle is now used as an arts centre and concerts are held in the grounds of the castle. and concerts are held in the grounds of the castle.
The Chester Beatty Library is also in the castle.The Chester Beatty Library is also in the castle.
Chester Beatty MuseumChester Beatty MuseumSand Sculptures in Dublin Castle grounds