Venue
The University of Dublin, Trinity College
Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth. Among many famous students to attend the college were playwrights Oliver Goldsmith and Samuel Beckett. Trinity’s lawns and cobbled quads provide a pleasant haven in the heart of the city. The major attractions are the Old Library and the Book of Kells, housed in the Old Library. For further information visit the Trinity college website: www.tcd.ie
Mansion House
Built in 1710 for Joshua Dawson after whom Dawson Street was named, the Mansion House was bought by Dublin Corporation in 1715 and became the official residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin. The Mansion House was the scene of the first meeting of Dail Éireann convened in 1919 followed by the adoption of the declaration of Irish Independence. It also hosted the signing of the truce that ended Anglo-Irish hostilities in 1921. For further information visit the Mansion House website: www.mansionhouse.ie
Dublin Castle
The Castle was established by King John in 1204 “for the defence of the City and the custody of his treasures.” The complex represents some of the oldest surviving architecture in the city and was the centre of English power in Ireland for over seven centuries until it was taken over by the Irish Free State in 1922. Of interest is the 13th-century record tower, the largest visible fragment of the original Norman castle and the State Apartments, once the residence of English viceroys and now the focal point for government ceremonial functions. As an early Viking fortress visitors can see the Undercroft which features the base of the 13th century gun powder tower and the 10th century Viking defence bank.
Westland Row School
Westland Row CBC is a co-educational school in the heart of Dublin’s south inner city. The founder of the Christian Brothers Community was Edmund Rice who was born in Waterford in 1762. This was a time of political and religious oppression in Ireland when the education of Catholics was illegal. Edmund Rice devoted the latter half of his life to the education and care of the poor. He founded the Christian Brothers Community and established a number of schools throughout Ireland. Westland Row School was established in its current building in 1844. It now has a multicultural student population reflecting the changes in the Irish population over the last 10 years. One of its most famous pupils was Padraig Pearse the leader of the Easter Rising who read the declaration of Irish Independence on Easter Monday morning in 1916 from the steps of the General Post Office in O’Connell Street.
