City Hall

Reminder of Dublin's Golden Age

Description

The building was designed by Thomas Cooley and, when it was completed in 1779, originally housed the Royal Exchange. It is an elegant reminder of the wealth and opulence of Dublin in the city's 18th-century heyday. Today, City Hall is in the ownership of Dublin Corporation, which has restored the building beautifully. The great central atrium, complete with gold-leafed dome and mosaic floor, is one of the most impressive public spaces around. The history of Dublin is told in a vivid, computer-aided series of exhibitions. The City Hall also now houses the Dublin City Archives. This collection records the activities of the municipal government of Dublin from the 12th century to the present. It contains a significant number of medieval documents such as the White Book and the Chain Book of Dublin. The Archive also includes a series of Assembly Rolls from 1447 to 1741, inscribed on parchment.