Dublin Castle and Executive Government

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The Castle**

This edifice, which was built by Henry de Loundres, Archbishop of Dublin, in 1220, was first used as a vice-regal residence in 1560, by order of Queen Elizabeth. The principal entrance is from Cork-hill, into the upper castle yard. This court, which contains the apartments of the Lord Lieutenant and suite, is in the form of a quadrangle, 280 feet by 130. The principal entrance, the eastern gate, is ornamented by a statue of Justice; and a corresponding gate, on the same side of the court, is surmounted by a statue of Fortitude, both the, workmanship of Van Nost: the interval between the real and artificial gate, is occupied by a building of two stories, exhibiting ionic columns, on rusticated arches, supporting a pediment, and from this rises a circular tower of the Corinthian order, terminating in a cupola, ball, and vane, from which the flag is hoisted on state days. This building supplies accommodation for the Master of the Ceremonies, and the Aides-de-Camp to his Excellency; and the part towards the street is used as a guard-room. The colonnade on the opposite side of the quadrangle is the principal entrance to the Royal apartments; at the extremity of this colonnade is a handsome flight of steps leading to the Yeomen’s Hall, and thence to the Presence Chamber, where stands the throne erected for George IV., covered with crimson velvet, and richly ornamented with gilt carved-work. From the ceiling of this apartment hangs a magnificent glass lustre, the gift of the Duke of Rutland, which was purchased at the celebrated glass manufactory in Waterford.

The next object of attraction is St. Patrick’s Hall, where balls and assemblies are held on St. Patrick’s and other nights; this, which is a truly princely apartment, 38 feet high, 82 long and 41 broad, was laid out in its present superb style at the institution of the Order of St. Patrick, 1783. There are three excellent paintings, inlaid in the ceiling, the centre is of a circular form, the others oblong; one of the latter represents St. Patrick converting the Druids; in the corresponding piece, Henry II., receiving submission from the petty Kings of Ireland, 1172, appears seated under a rich canopy; and in the central painting, which is an allegorical representation of the flourishing state of the country, George III. appears supported by Justice and Liberty: these subjects were designed and executed by Waldré, an artist, of considerable abilities. At one end of the Hall is a gallery for the musicians and household; and at the other, one for the public.

At the rear of the Vice-regal apartments is the Castle-garden, a handsome plat of ground, laid out with gravel walks, and planted with ever-greens: the front towards the garden, is a neat structure of the Ionic Order, but the effect of it is lost to passengers, from the carriage-way passing so immediately under it; it may, however, be seen to advantage from ihe garden.

The lower Castle-yard is an extensive space of very irregular form; in it are the old Treasury, Chapel, Ordnance-office and stores, riding-house, stables, and residences of inferior officers.-The Treasury, which is no longer required, is a long brick building, with a terrace in front, accessible by a double flight of steps. **

The Chapel** - now the most remarkable object about the Castle, is a modern building in the most beautiful order of pointed architecture, the design of Francis Johnston, Esq. who has so considerably beautified Dublin by the exertion of his talents for the last 20 years. The old Chapel was taken down in the administration of the Duke of Bedford, in 1807, and the present erected on its site, is 73 feet in length, and 35 broad. Divine service was performed here, for the first time, on Christmas-day, 1814; and the total expense of the building of the Chapel is calculated at 42,000l. It consists of a choir, without either nave or transept, finished in the most florid style of pointed architecture. Each side is supported by seven buttresses, terminating in pinnacles, which spring from grotesque heads in each buttress, ornamented at the angles, with rich foliage, and terminate in a gothic finial. These pinnacles are connected by a monastic battlement, finished with a moulding. There are six pointed windows in each side, surmounted by labels, which spring from two heads. In the centre of the east end is a pointed doorway, surmounted by a rectangular label, supported at one end by a head of St. Patrick, and at the other by that of Brian Boromhe, an Irish King.

Over the door-way is the eastern window, surmounted by a label which springs from the heads of Hope and Charity, and terminating at its summit by a demi-figure of Faith holding a chalice. The gavel terminates in an antique cross, the arms of which are enclosed in a circle. At each angle of the east end are square towers, rising to the height of the roof, in which are enclosed the stairs to the gallery. The principal entrance is on the north side of the west end, near the Record or Wardrobe Tower: over this door-way is a bust of St. Peter, holding a key; and over a window immediately above the door is a bust of Dean Swift; and, above, a head of the Virgin Mary (These heads are carved in greystones raised from a quarry at* *Tullamore in the King’s county, 46 miles from Dublin); this entrance conducts into a small anti-hall of the most exquisite workmanship, and. from thence into the body of the Chapel; before you is the eastern window, ornamented with stained glass, the gift of Lord Whitworth, when Lord Lieutenant: it represents Christ in the presence of Pilate. The lower divisions are occupied by the four Evangelists; beside the window, in stucco, are statues of Faith, Hope, and Charity, with busts of the four Evangelists, executed by Edward Smyth. The ceiling is composed of groined arches springing from heads of modelled stucco, above the capitals of six beautiful clustered pillars which support the roof; and is highly ornamented.

The pannels of the gallery are of carved oak: on the front of the organ loft are carved the Royal Arms, and in the pannels on either side, those of the Duke of Bedford, who laid the foundation stone of the Chapel, and of the Duke of Richmond, in whose administration it was completed; from thence, along the front of the gallery, are the arms of those noblemen who have been Viceroys, with the dates of their governments.

The pannels of the pulpit are ornamented with the arms of different Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland; among them are also those of Dean Kirwan, and the four great supporters of the Church of England, Henry VIII., Edward VI., Elizabeth, and William III. - the carving was executed by Stewart of Dublin.

At the western extremity of the Chapel stands the Record Tower, the oldest building in the Castle, lately repaired and improved, during the building of the Chapel: - this tower is connected by a curtain wall, part of the original town wall of Dublin, to Birmingham tower in the same yard, which is now converted into a supper-room and other apartments, for the use of his Excellency’s household. The other buildings attached to the Castle are of too unarchitectural a character to be minutely described. **

Executive Government.**

The Executive Government of Ireland, is committed to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, who is assisted and advised by a Privy Council and the Chief Secretary. The Privy Council consists of the Chancellor and high Law Officers, with some of the Archbishops and Bishops; and the Council Chamber is in the upper Castleyard, over the arch-way, by which the connection is kept up between the upper and lower yards. In the absence of the Lord Lieutenant, the Privy Council is summoned, and the government entrusted to three Lords Justices they are usually the Primate, the Lord Chancellor, and the Commander of the Forces.

The Lord Lieutenant holds a Court at the castle; where Levees are sometimes held; and his Excellency’s State and Household is, in every respect, becoming a representative of Majesty. He is allowed a company of battle-axe men, under the command of a captain, who has the rank of colonel; and two subalterns, who have the rank of captains. The battle-axe-guards do duty in the public apartments of the Court. Besides this guard, the Lord Lieutenant has a body-guard, consisting of a subaltern’s guard of horse, with a captain of infantry, two subalterns, and 60 men. This guard of honour is lodged in the Castle, and relieved every day by a detachment from the Royal Barracks. The form of relieving guard at the Castle, has always had attractions for the citizens of Dublin, who attend in great numbers every day, to witness this very interesting spectacle.

In addition to the military establishment of the Irish Court, there are various officers of the household, analogous to those of Carlton Palace: the principal are a *Private Secretary, Stewart, a a Comptroller, Chamberlain, Gentleman Usher, Assistant Gentleman Usher, Master of the Horse, and Gentlemen of the Chamber; *there are besides *four Pages, eight Aides-de-Catnp, *and twenty-four Chaplains.

Previous to the removal of the Parliament from Ireland, the Irish Court was crowded by nobility, but they have long since withdrawn their persons and properties to our more favoured neighbour, Great Britain; and, consequently, there are not many titles to be met at levee, if we exclude the dignitaries of the Church and high Law Officers, who are obliged to reside in Ireland. But, even in this altered and neglected condition, the Irish Court is of great benefit to the poor manufacturers of Dublin. The Medical Establishment of his Excellency’s household, consists of the two state* *physicians, one surgeon, and an apothecary.

The Chief Secretary has apartments in the upper Castle-yard, and holds a levee every Thursday; besides the apartments in the upper Castle-yard, there is also a magnificent residence in the Phoenix Park, appropriated to his use.

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