Architectural Dublin / Dublin Castle / State Apartments / St Patrick's Hall

Interior Access by Admission

The most imposing room in the Castle is St Patrick's Hall used for important occasions. The Hall has two galleries, one at each end, one for musicians and the other for spectators. The hanging banners are the arms of the members of the Order of St Patrick whose inaugurations were held in the hall. The room is in a gold and white colour scheme with the corinthian columns picked out in gold. With a richly coloured carpet and ceiling, this is a stunningly ornate room.

Its hugely ornate painted ceiling by Vincenzo Valdré. He was of Italian decent and brought to Ireland by his patron, the Viceroy Lord Temple. He was appointed in 1792, the Architect and Inspector of Civil Buildings in Ireland. In the central panel, is depicted George III between Brittania and Hibernia in the central panel, various cherubs, Liberty, and Justice. The other panels depict St Patrick, and Henry II receiving the surrender of the Irish chieftains.

There are many other important rooms, notably the Wedgwood Room, an oval room decorated in Wedgwood Blue with details picked out in white. It was used as a Billiards Room in the 19th century.