Castle, Dublin

The general post office is situated in O'Connell street and was built in 1818.
This building was important during the history of irish independance.
Padraic Pearse (1879-1916) leader of Irish nationalism,proclaimed Ireland a republic and free from British rule.
The post office with the Padriaic and other volunteers resisted the british in a siege that lasted a week.
Heavy bombardment forced the rebels out and left the building severely ruined.
The building was restored and reopened in 1929 and is the headquarters of An post [ the irish postal service].

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For centuries, this has been the centre of British oppression. Now, it is a remembrance of the past and a governmental building often used for ceremonial purposes. Unfortunately, most parts of the castle are rather new. Some very early structures survived anyway, including a Norman tower from the 13th century. The castle was the official see of the British government until 1922. My only impression from this castle were when I strolled by and saw a local politician giving an interview on St. Patrick’s Day. Another one was when Lorcan (the guy who runs the 1916 walking tour) brought us to the court of the castle and told us something about Ireland’s British past. Guided tours through the buildings are offered, for time reasons I didn’t take one. But from what I heard, they sell out rather quick during the high season. Turn up early, if you want a ticket!
Dublin Castle is a rather underrated tourist attraction. The inner gardens are even more difficult to find and are often used by people for nearby offices to spend their break.

Looking for a huge castle, dungeons, towers, a huge kitchen, and more? Not here. There is only a part of the old castle left and you can see it in a short time if you made the effort to walk in this direction.
If you are in Dublin for only a few days I would suggest to pass this up in favor of other things to do.
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In 1.998 Dublin City Council embarked on an ambitious programme of restoration aimed at returning City Hall to its original Georgian configuration. The Rotunda has been opened up with the removal of 19 th century partitions, allowing visitors to appreciate for the first time since 1852 the proportions of the Cooley original and the wonderful natural light whiche plays around the internal columns. The Portland stone fafric of the building has been carefully cleaned and restored using stone from the same quarry in Dorset. The dome, was completely refusbished and embellished with gold leaf and the fine stone stairscases. The restored City Hall was re-opened to the public on 6 September 2000.

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It was afternoon when I arrived at Dublin Castle, unfortunately too late to get a ticket for the castle tour. A guided tour is the only way you can experience Dublin Castle from inside, but all the remaining tours of the day were fully booked, and I had to settle with a short walk around the upper and lower castle yard.

Most of the present castle dates from the 18th century, but there has been a castle on this spot since the days of King John. The castle complex was originally built as a defensive fortification for the Norman city of Dublin, but during the years it has also been a royal residence, a military garrison, the seat of British rule in Ireland, and Courts of Justice. Then the Irish Free State was established in 1922 the castle was handed over to the Provisional Government, and is today a major Irish government complex. During Ireland's presidencies of the European Union, it has been the venue of many meetings of the European Council.

I had a closer look at the great Record Tower, which was built in early 13th century and is the only surviving tower of the original fortification. I also visited the Chapel Royal (or Church of the Most Holy Trinity) - it was open for visitors without being part of the guided tour. The Chapel is from early 19th century and contains one of the finest Gothic revival interiors in Ireland. It was quite nice with beautiful woodcarvings and a huge stained-glass window above the altar.

Next time I visit Dublin Castle, I will try to catch the guided tour inside the castle – and see the State Apartments and the Undercroft (some remains of the medieval castle)!

Was walking around Dublin Castle when i saw this beautiful day spa located just beside it.
I had a massage - It was the perfect treat after strolling around town!
The salon is French - so was happy to practice my small bit of French ;)
They also do packages and all other sps treatments.

I would definitely recommend it!

This majestic old lady was built between 1208 and 1220 and the complex represents some of the oldest surviving architecture in the city. It use to be the centre of English power in Ireland for over seven centuries until it was taken of by the Irish Free State in 1922. Today it is used as the focal point for government ceremonial functions, including the inauguration of Ireland's presidents. The newest developments for visitors are the Undercroft, and excavates site on the grounds where an early Viking fortress stood, and the treasury, built between 1712 and 1715, believed to be the oldest surviving purpose-built office building in Ireland. It also houses a new visitor centre in its vaulted basement.

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The Dublin Castle is smack dab in the middle of everything and is easily found. I think it had tours inside but I could not for the life of me find how to do that. The castle has a gorgeous garden surrounding it that is worth the trouble all by itself. It is hidden in the back but if it's a pretty day, it is amazing. There is also a very sweet cafe that serves lunch and tea. It was reasonably priced.