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 The famous Dublin Castle, a major landmark close to Dublin city centre, has undergone an extensive refurbishment that has completely transformed this unique complex of historic buildings – allowing the venue open itself up to the conference and meeting market as a superior choice for prestigious events.
Formerly the fortified seat of British rule, Dublin Castle is now a major Irish governmental complex, as well as an inspiring collection of meetings spaces. Most of the complex dates from the 18th century – though a castle has stood on the site since the days of King John, the first Lord of Ireland.
The castle has hosted the inauguration of Irish presidents since the 1930s, and is constantly used for official state visits, banquets and government policy launches. The castle’s auspicious role in Irish history makes it a unique and inspiring venue for conferences and events as well as a major tourist attraction. During Ireland's presidencies of the European Union, most recently in the first half of 2004, it is the venue of many meetings of the European Council.
 For large-scale events, the focal point of the complex is the Main Conference Hall (left), furnished to accommodate leaders of nations, business and industry with materials designed to create a calm and tranquil atmosphere during long working sessions. The hall, which has 10 fully equipped simultaneous translation booths and is air-conditioned, can hold 120 people in a boardroom layout, 140 in classroom layout, or 330 people in theatre style. Additional facilities include a cloakroom, secretariat room, VIP/speakerss room, storage room and coffee bar.
The Bedford Hall Suite of rooms is situated on the first floor of Castle Hall, and incorporates the 18th-century Bedford Tower. This is a self-contained suite of rooms, specially suited for smaller meetings of up to 80 delegates, with module or workshop operational requirements. Bedford Hall accommodates 40 people in boardroom layout or 80 in theatre style. Dining facilities are available in the Erin Room. There are four adjoining break-out or syndicate rooms and two Georgian rooms: the European Room and the Balcony Room, which overlooks the Upper Castle Yard.
 Further meetings space is available in the Coach House (left), constructed in the mid-1830s to house the Lord Lieutenant's coach and horses. The Coach House’s most striking feature is the mock Gothic stone façade, which faces the refurbished Dubh Linn Gardens, through which guests enter for meetings and events.
The Kane Room and Morrison Room are ideal for cocktail receptions (for up to 200 people), meetings, concerts, dining and product launches. These rooms have a unique architectural flavour and are equipped with inbuilt audio systems.
The Erin Room is situated on the ground floor of the castle’s State Apartments. It has a southern aspect and a terrace overlooking the Dubh Linn Gardens. This wonderful facility is especially suited for dining up to 90 people, or cocktail receptions for up to 160.
 The West Range Suite is a self-contained collection of adjoining rooms, on the first floor of the West Cross Block, in the Great Courtyard. The suite can be made available for a variety of uses including cocktail reception and dining for 40 people, with a private tour of the adjacent State Apartments.
The State Apartments dominate the southern range of the Upper Castle Yard or Great Courtyard. Formerly the private and public rooms of the Viceroys and the Viceregal Court, the State Apartments can be made available for a very limited number of appropriate private functions of up to 202 guests for dining or up to 400 for receptions.
Access to the State Apartments is by means of the doric colonnade and the imperial staircase. St Patrick's Hall is one of the most significant and prestigious public rooms in Ireland. Here the inaugurations of the presidents of Ireland take place, as do other important state functions including banquets for visiting heads of state.
 Dublin Castle’s conference team is dedicated to providing top-class technical facilities, service and support to its clients. The venue offers in-house audio-visual and technical equipment in many rooms, the cost for some being included in the charges. Recent services provided include webcasting, digital voting, simultaneous interpretation, video conferencing, microwave/satellite links, Beta SP camera record, and DIGI Beta camera record.
For more information on the fantastic facilities offered at this prestigious and historical venue – or to check availability on its range of meetings spaces -– please get in touch via the links below.
Contact
Telephone: +353 (0)1 645 8800
Email: info@dublincastle.ie
Website: www.dublincastle.ie
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