Residence of the President of Ireland, Áras an Uachtaráin is generally only open on Saturdays, but the good news is thats its free and its a bus ride from Dublin City Center. The building itself started as a modest brick house for the Phoenix Park Chief Ranger in 1752, but it was then used for the Lords Lieutenants when they needed a little break from the madness of Emperialism. After Ireland finally gained independence, it was occupied by three Governors General between 1922 and 1937, prior to the first president Dr Douglas Hyde taking up residence there. 19th century architects Francis Johnston, Jacob Owen and Decimus Burton, and more recently, Raymond McGrath, as well as stuccodores Michael Stapleton and Bartholomew Cramillion contributed to its gradual expansion, gardens and interiors. The exhibition presents the architecture of the house and details on the lives of its illustrious inhabitants, with a special section on the incumbent president, Dr Mary McAleese.
DIRECTIONS TO PRESIDENT OF IRELAND’S HOUSE - ARAS AN UACHTARAIN
Telephone No: +353 1 670 9155.
Lo Call: 1890 430 430.
Fax No: +353 1 679 7831.
Email: phoenixparkvisitorcentre@opw.ie
Websites: www.president.ie and www.araskids.ie
Location: In the Phoenix Park, signposted from the Phoenix Monument 4km from centre of Dublin.
Bus Route(s): Bus No. 37, 38 (from Lr. Abbey Street), 39 (from Middle Abbey Street) to the Ashtown Gate walk approximately 190 metres to the T-junction and turn left, walk for about 10 minutes until you reach the building on your left, the pathway on the right-hand side leads you towards the trees and the back gate of Ashtown Castle. Bus No. 10 (from O’Connell Street) to North Circular Road Gate (30 minute walk from Gate).
Possibly Related Posts:
- Dublin Castle - Information and Parking
- Information on Arbour Hill Military Prison - Dublin
- Coast to Coast Walking Ireland - Galway to Dublin
- Trips to The Aran Islands - Directions and Ferries
- Connemmara National Park - Rural Ireland