Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Former military hospital and retirement home in Kilmainham, Ireland
The Royal Hospital Kilmainham is a former military hospital in Dublin featuring stone arcades, a historic clock tower, and balconies surrounding a cobblestone courtyard. The structure wraps around a large central space, with different wings connecting through this open plaza.
William Robinson designed and built this military facility between 1679 and 1687 as a retirement home for soldiers. The building served this purpose for centuries before being transformed into a space for contemporary art.
The building now houses the Irish Museum of Modern Art, displaying contemporary works and rotating exhibitions. Visitors walk through rooms filled with modern installations and artworks that reflect current artistic directions.
Access is available through multiple entrances around the complex, with the central courtyard serving as a natural landmark for orientation. The Meadows area outside the main building is good for walking and resting when weather permits.
The Richmond Tower, designed by Francis Johnston, was moved from its original location near the River Liffey to make room for railway development. This relocation shows how the site adapted to Dublin's changing needs over time.
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