A Variety of Decorative Art
Among the highlights of the collection are the three vast canvas paintings on the ceiling of St Patrick’s Hall by the Italian artist Vincenzo Waldré. Together they form the most important painted ceiling to survive in Ireland from the eighteenth century. A series of seven mythological paintings by Gaetano Gandolfi are among the foremost cycles of eighteenth-century Italian paintings on display anywhere in Ireland.
The collection is also notable for its formal and official portraits. It includes a seventeenth-century portrait by the internationally renowned Flemish painter Sir Anthony Van Dyck. It also features portraits of British monarchs and their consorts from King George II to Queen Victoria and a unique series of twenty portraits of Irish Viceroys. Eighteenth-century French furniture and clocks, fine Georgian and Victorian Irish furniture, rococo plasterwork ceilings, neoclassical statuary, Waterford crystal chandeliers and Irish State china are just some of the many other highlights to be enjoyed.
The Prisoner’s Table
‘The Prisoner’s Table’, by an unknown maker, c.1861. Elaborate marquetry table, reputedly made by an inmate of the Dublin Debtors’ Prison as a gift for Queen Victoria. Part of the Dublin Castle Collection since at least 1908. Photo by Mark Reddy Trinity Digital Studios.
Wine Cooler
Wine cooler, by James Hicks, c. 1890. Mahogany wine cooler in the shape of a sarcophagus, featuring the emblems of the Order of St Patrick. An earlier version was made for the Viceregal Lodge, now Áras an Uachtaráin, in about 1812. The earlier version was made by Mack, Williams & Gibton to a design by Francis Johnston. The source of Johnston’s design was a drawing published in Sheraton’s Cabinet Dictionary in 1803. Photo Mark Reddy Digital Studies.
King George III flanked by Britannia and Hibernia
King George III flanked by Britannia and Hibernia, by Vincenzo Waldré, 1788-1802. One of three exceptionally large canvas paintings that decorate the ceiling of St Patrick’s Hall. Commissioned by George Nugent Temple Grenville, 1st Marquess of Buckingham as Viceroy of Ireland. Photo by Mark Reddy Trinity Digital Studios.
John William Ponsonby, 4th Earl of Bessborough
John William Ponsonby, 4th Earl of Bessborough, by Stephen Catterson Smith, c.1846. Portrait of the Earl of Bessborough wearing the star and badge of the Order of St Patrick. One of Dublin Castle’s collection of twenty portraits of Irish Viceroys. Photo by Mark Reddy Trinity Digital Studios.
Mars with his Sacred Animals
Mars with his Sacred Animals, by Gaetano Gandolfi, 1767. One of six mythological scenes representing the power of the gods. Painted in Bologna in 1767, purchased by the Office of Public Works and installed in the Throne Room in 1839. Photo by Mark Reddy Trinity Digital Studios.
Viceregal Throne
Viceregal throne, by an unknown maker, 1864–66. One of two thrones installed in the Viceregal pew of the Chapel Royal during the Viceroyalty of John Wodehouse, 1st Earl of Kimberley. Photo by Davison & Associates.
Henry Boyle, 3rd Earl of Shannon
Henry Boyle, 3rd Earl of Shannon, attributed to William Cuming, c.1810. Portrait of the Earl of Shannon dressed in the robes of the Order of St Patrick. The investiture ceremonies of this chivalric order of knights took place in St Patrick’s Hall at Dublin Castle. Photo by Mark Reddy Trinity Digital Studios.
Crystal chandelier, by Waterford Crystal
Crystal chandelier, by Waterford Crystal, c.1966. One of five cut glass chandeliers installed in the State Drawing Room as part of the restoration of the room from 1964 to 1968. Photo by Mark Reddy Trinity Digital Studios.
Brass chandelier, by Higginbotham, Thomas & Co., 1839
Brass chandelier, by Higginbotham, Thomas & Co., 1839. One of a set of five ornate brass chandeliers commissioned for the Throne Room and featuring rose, thistle and shamrock motifs emblematic of England, Scotland and Ireland. Photo by Mark Reddy Trinity Digital Studios.
Elizabeth Leigh, Countess of Southampton
Elizabeth Leigh, Countess of Southampton, by Sir Anthony van Dyck, c.1640–41. Gifted to the Irish State in 1973 as part of the Granard Bequest. Photo by Harry Reid.
The Throne
The Throne, by an unknown maker, c.1821. Reputedly installed under the canopy of state in the Throne Room for the visit of King George IV in August 1821. Photo by Mark Reddy Trinity Digital Studios.
Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria, by John Partridge, 1842. Portrait of Queen Victoria aged twenty-three. Painted for Dublin Castle. Another version is in the Royal Collection at Frogmore House, Windsor. Photo by Dennis Mortell.
Louis XVI clock depicting Diana, Cupid and Endymion
Louis XVI clock depicting Diana, Cupid and Endymion, by Manière of Paris, c.1778–93. Bronze and ormolu clock, gifted to the Irish state in 1973 as part of the Granard Bequest. Photo by Harry Reid.
Italian Urn with Apollonian Muses
Italian Urn with Apollonian Muses, by an unknown maker, 18th Century. Carrara marble urn formerly at Lyons House, Co. Kildare. Purchased by the Office of Public Works for Dublin Castle in 1962. Photo by Mark Reddy Trinity Digital Studios.