Mansion House, Official residence building in Dublin, Ireland
Mansion House is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin and stands on Dawson Street in the city center. The facade shows seven window bays, columns in the Ionic style, and an ornamented pediment above the main entrance, while a circular extension at the rear provides additional assembly space.
The wealthy developer Joshua Dawson had the building constructed in 1710 as his private house and sold it five years later to the city authorities. Since then it has served continuously as the living quarters and office of the civic leaders, making it the oldest continually used mayoral residence in Ireland.
The serving mayor lives in the upper-floor apartments during the term of office and receives political guests and delegations there. The reception rooms host official ceremonies, state receptions, and city council gatherings where the centuries-old tradition of the office remains visible.
Tours lead through several ground-floor rooms, including the oak-paneled chamber and the drawing room with historical furniture. Guides explain the architecture and function of the spaces, while the private areas on the upper floor remain closed to the public.
Every newly elected mayor designs a personal coat of arms with the Chief Herald of Ireland, which then goes on permanent display in the oak chamber. This collection of heraldic shields now forms a long gallery of civic personalities reaching back to early modern times.
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