Showcasing outstanding architecture for everyone to experience, Dublin’s citizens are invited to explore their city during Ireland’s largest architecture festival this month.
Open House Dublin (OHD) takes place throughout the weekend of October 13th – 15th when buildings of architectural merit as well as buildings not usually accessible to the public will open their doors. Organised by the Irish Architecture Foundation, all architectural tours are provided by expert guides, with free admission.
A scan through this year’s programme reveals that politicos of all hues are especially well-catered for, with tours of Leinster House, the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Iveagh House, the Mansion House and more.
There’s plenty to fascinate anybody interested in taking a peak inside the myriad Dublin buildings that house the corridors of power. Grab your anoraks as we take a look around the places where politics plays out at this year’s Open House Dublin.
Originally designed by Richard Castle for James Fitzgerald, 20th Earl of Kildare and Duke of Leinster, Leinster House has been the seat of the Oireachtas, the Parliament of Ireland since the 3rd Dáil met there in September 1922. Wanna walk these corridors and visit both the Dáil and Seanad Chambers?
Leinster House is open both Saturday, 14 October, from 11:00am – 5:00pm and Sunday, 15 October, from 12:00 – 5:00pm.
Image courtesy of the Department of the Taoiseach, Government Buildings
What have the British ever done for us? Well, as it turns out, the last significant building project undertaken by the British administration in Ireland was the Department of the Taoiseach. Designed by the famous London-based architect Sir Aston Webb, the project began in 1904 and was completed just in time to be occupied by the new Irish Free State Government in 1922.
Those of you wondering what the current Taoiseach has on his desk this year can find out by visiting on Saturday, 14th October between 11:00 – 17:00.
Would you believe that the Mansion House has been the official residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin for the past 302 years? The building served as a venue for a number of notable events in the history of Dublin and the journey toward Irish Independence.
Important civic events such as the conferring of the Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin have all taken place there, with the vast array of visiting dignitaries including Queen Victoria over a century ago and Nelson Mandela in 1990. Tours will include a visit to the historic Oak Room, the Dining Room and other public rooms. Admission is on a first come first served basis, just turn up and keep an eye out for Open House Dublin volunteers.
Now home to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Iveagh House was first designed in 1736 by Richard Cassels and remodeled in the 19th Century, when a Portland Stone facade was added.
Behind this Stephen’s Green facade is a large house dating from three distinct periods with a highly decorated sumptuous interior. And they really do mean sumptuous. Get a load of that carpet!!!
Again, admission is on a first-come basis: Just turn up and look out for Open House Dublin volunteers. It’s worth noting though, that as Iveagh House is a working Government office there may be some restrictions on the day in relation to access and photography.
Designed as part of an architectural competition in 1935, the building was the first Department headquarters built by the new State and for decades this was the only bespoke Government headquarters in the State.
The building is an example of classical Art Deco with base reliefs and carvings by Gabriel Hayes, who was also responsible for the carving of the Three Graces on the College of Catering, Cathal Brugha Street as well as the decimal 1/2p, 1p and 2p coins.
Today the building houses two Government Departments – the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
Open House Dublin (OHD) invites Dublin’s citizens to explore their city as when buildings not usually accessible to the public and buildings of architectural merit open their doors over the weekend of October 13th – 15th
All architectural tours are provided by expert guides, with free admission. For full details check out openhousedublin.com The weekend is organised by Irish Architecture Foundation.
