FEATURES OF CITY HALL
Some later features have been retained in the Rotunda and
C ITY H A L L
can still be enjoyed by visitors to the City Hall today. These
include a series of painted murals, executed between 1914
DUBLIN
and 1919 by James Ward of the Metropolitan School of Art,
DUBLINS CITY HALL which depict scenes from the history of Dublin and are rare
examples of the Arts and Crafts Movement in Ireland. The
The Story of the Capital large clock with Roman numerals was made by Gaskins of
The superb vaults at lower Dublin in 1871, and is a replica of the original in the Royal
ground floor level were Exchange. The marble floor beneath the dome was laid in
also restored as part of the 1898 to a design by City Architect Charles J. McCarthy, with
refurbishment of City a circular mosaic depicting the Dublin City Coat of Arms.
Hall. In revealing this
magnificent architectural
feature, internal walls were
removed, brick arches were
repaired and new lime
plaster was applied. The
vaults now host the multi-
media exhibition, Dublins
City Hall: The Story of the
Capital. This exhibition granite plinth may still be seen.
traces the evolution of OConnell is famous as the Liberator
Irelands capital city, from who won Catholic Emancipation in
before the Anglo-Norman 1829 and he was also Lord Mayor of
invasion of 1170 to the Dublin in 1841. Across the hall is
present day. It is the story of Thomas Drummond, who as under-
city governance renewing itself over the last millennium, secretary for Ireland in the 1830s
absorbing a multitude of outside influences. The story is told initiated reform of the police,
through the display of precious artifacts and medieval introduced railways to Ireland and
manuscripts, supported by computer interactives, archive films, INTERIOR OF THE DOME FROM THE ROTUNDA
CHARLES LUCAS abolished the hated system of tithes,
models and costumes, along with original works of modern art, which had brought misery to the
which have been commissioned especially for the exhibition. The Rotunda also provides an elegant space for sculpture. countrys farmers. A lighthouse at his
The earliest statue, dating from 1772, is of Dr. Charles Lucas, feet commemorates his invention of
City Hall, Cork Hill, a member of the Dublin City Assembly and a champion of a lamp which was a boon to shipping
Dame Street, Dublin 2 municipal liberties. It was the first major commission Edward in fog and mist. The final statue is
T: +353 1 222 2204 Smyth received. His later work includes the famous series of of Thomas Davis, the Irish patriot
F: +353 1 222 2620 river heads on James Gandons Custom House. A statue of who founded the Nation newspaper.
E: cityhall@dublincity.ie the orator and parliamentarian Henry Grattan, by Francis His songs A Nation Once Again and
www.dublincity.ie/cityhall Chantrey, is at the foot of the west staircase. The three The Wests Awake inspired the revival
remaining statues are all by John Hogan. The massive statue of Irish nationalism and are still
of Daniel OConnell, standing 18 feet high, was once THOMAS DAVIS popular today.
intended to stand outside the building, where its original
CITY HALL: RESTORATION
THE EARLY HISTORY OF CITY HALL
ITY HALL is an outstanding In 1998, Dublin City Council (formerly known as Dublin
C example of the Georgian
architecture for which Dublin
is world-renowned. It was built
Corporation) embarked on an ambitious programme of
restoration aimed at returning City Hall to its original
Georgian configuration. This programme was influenced by
between 1769 and 1779 by the Guild three main considerations: its enhancement as a pre-eminent
of Merchants as the Royal Exchange, at building of civic, historic and architectural significance; the
a cost of 58,000 most of which was reflection of its importance as the meeting-place of Dublin
raised by public lotteries. The architect City Council; and the realization of its potential as a major
was Thomas Cooley, winner of a cultural and tourist attraction. The Rotunda has been opened
competition to design the building, with his more illustrious up with the removal of 19 century partitions, allowing
contemporary James Gandon in second place. The Royal visitors to appreciate for the first time since 1852 the
Exchange belonged to the first rank of European architecture proportions of the Cooley original and the wonderful natural
and marked the introduction to Ireland of the neo-classical light which plays around the internal columns. The Portland
style fashionable on the Continent. The circular entrance stone fabric of the building has been carefully cleaned and
STATUE OF DANIEL OCONNELL VIEW OF WEST SIDE AMBULATORY
hall, or Rotunda, with its spacious dome, supported by twelve restored using stone sourced from the same quarry in Dorset
columns, is surrounded by an ambulatory, where the which supplied the original builders of the Royal Exchange.
The changes included partitions around the ambulatory, the
merchants strolled and discussed business. The sheer size and
construction of a new staircase leading from the Rotunda to
CITY HALL TODAY The dome, one of the most striking features of the Rotunda,
sumptuous fittings of the Royal Exchange, with carved was completely refurbished and embellished with gold leaf
City Hall was the hub of Dublins civic administration until
capitals by Simon Vierpyl and plasterwork by the leading the upper floors and the sub-division of the vaults for storage. and the fine stone staircases, both of which were damaged
1995, when Dublin Corporation moved its headquarters to
stuccodore Charles Thorp, reflect the standing and prestige of On 30 September 1852 the Royal Exchange was re-named as a result of subsidence, were reinstated to their original
the newly-completed Civic Offices at Wood Quay. City Hall
Dublin in the 18 century. City Hall, at the first meeting held there of Dublin City cantilevered design. The restored City Hall was re-opened
is still the focal point for the Corporations elected members,
The Act of Union, passed in 1800, had an adverse effect on Council. to the public on 6 September 2000 to widespread acclaim.
Dublin City Council. The Council meets in plenary session
the economy of Dublin and forty years later the Royal Exchange
on the first Monday of every month in the historic Council
lay virtually idle. The building was rescued by Dublin
Corporation, which purchased it in 1851 and converted it for
CITY HALL AND IRISH Chamber, originally the coffee-room of the Royal Exchange.
The Lord Mayor of Dublin presides at meetings of the City
civic administration, introducing much-needed office space. NATIONALISM Council, which the public may attend by prior arrangement,
City Hall played its part in the development of Irish
and the various committees of the City
nationalism. The funerals of leading patriots, Charles Stewart
CHARLES THORP
Council meet almost every day in
Parnell and Jeremiah ODonovan Rossa, were held there and
the Members Room to make
the building was garrisoned by the insurgents during the
decisions affecting all aspects of
Easter Rising of 1916, an event which is commemorated by a
civic administration.
plaque at the front gates. In 1922, City Hall became the
temporary headquarters of the Irish Provisional Government
under its chairman, Michael Collins. The funerals of Collins,
and of his colleague Arthur Griffith, took place from City
Hall in the same year.
