Government Buildings
Upper Merrion Street
About
The last great British building in Dublin, this Edwardian edifice began life as the home of the Royal College of Science in 1911, before construction was even complete. Once finished, the Free State Government became the college's neighbor and used the north wing as a place of refuge during the Civil War. The building was then leased to University College Dublin for many years until, in 1989, it was lavishly restored and became the home of the Irish government. The buildings can only be visited on guided tours. The tour includes many offices where you can see portraits of Irish politicians. Prominent amongst them is a portrait of Countess Markievicz - a leading force in the Easter Rising and of course, the first female Cabinet Minister in Ireland.
