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Home , Dublin Castle, History of Dublin, Official residence, President of Ireland

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Pope Francis will be greeted in the Upper Courtyard of Castle by the TD. The will sign the official guest’s book, and then the Taoiseach and will have a short private meeting in the State Drawing Room in the State Apartments. They will then join invited guests in St Patrick’s Hall. Following introductory remarks by the Taoiseach, Pope Francis will give an address. A Short History of Dublin Castle is one of ’s most important historic buildings. Since 1938, it has been the setting for the nation’s foremost ceremonial occasion, the inauguration of the . Dublin Castle is usually the official count centre for major referendums and in recent years has been the place where the public gathers to hear the results.

Dublin Castle was the centre of , serving as everything from a royal and to a prison. On 16 , British rule finally came to an end at Dublin Castle. On that day, at 1.45 pm, control of the Castle was handed to General Michael Collins in the Upper Courtyard as the came into being.

Until 1922, the State Apartments in Dublin Castle were the of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, also known as the viceroy.

Visitors to the State Apartments have an opportunity to follow in many famous footsteps. Benjamin Franklin (1771), Charles Dickens (1864) and Queen (1849, 1853, 1861, 1900); Princess Grace of Monaco (1961), John F. Kennedy (1963) and Charles de Gaulle (1969); and more recently Nelson Mandela (1990), Clinton (1995) and Queen Elizabeth II (2011) are just some of the history- makers who have visited the State Apartments.

The State Drawing Room The State Drawing Room was designed in 1838. In between the bustle of banquets and balls at the Castle, the viceroy and his family used it as their formal sitting room.

On a table are photographs of Lord FitzAlan Howard, the last ever viceroy of Ireland, and General Michael Collins. They commemorate the end of British rule and the handover of the Castle to Collins in 1922.

Among the room’s other highlights is a fine eighteenth-century clock by Manière of Paris and a suite of five Waterford crystal chandeliers. The chandeliers were installed during the of the room in the 1960s. The painting that Pope Francis and the Taoiseach will sit in front of is Elizabeth Leigh, Countess of Southampton by Sir Anthony van Dyck considered one of the great highlights of the Dublin Castle collection.

Saint Patrick’s Hall

The Castle’s historic ballroom, St Patrick’s Hall, is the setting for the inauguration of the President of Ireland. This ceremony takes place beneath the national flag every seven years. During visits to Ireland by international dignitaries and heads of state, the Hall is often the setting for official banquets in their honour.

This Hall takes its name from the Order of St Patrick who first met here in March 1783. The knights used the Hall for banquets and ceremonies until the early twentieth century. Many of their heraldic plaques and family banners remain here today.

St Patrick’s Hall dates largely from the 1740s but was remodelled in 1788. The ceiling panel nearest the tricolour depicts the introduction of Christianity into Ireland by St Patrick, who is thought to have come here in 432 AD. It shows St Patrick holding a cross as he directs the lighting of the paschal fire on the Hill of Slane. The flames indicate that a new faith has been ignited, replacing the pagan customs that are illustrated by a stone circle in the background. The panel at the other end of the Hall marks the beginnings of English rule in Ireland with the surrender of Irish chieftains to the rule of King Henry II, in 1171. The central panel features two prominent female figures representing Britannia, in violet, and Hibernia, in green. Serving as allegorical symbols of the two nations, these two figures are shown coming together around the reigning king from the 1780s, George III, who is seated on the .

Beneath this ceiling, history was made in June 1938 when was sworn in as the first President of Ireland. In 1990, became Ireland’s first woman president when she was inaugurated in the same spot. More recently, history was made yet again when Queen Elizabeth II made a significant speech at the in her honour, in May 2011. The Guests

The guests invited to this event are reflective of a Visit by a . This includes Members of Government, the Council of State, the , Political Parties and groups, MEPs, the Judiciary, the Civil Service, and the Diplomatic Corps from over 50 countries. Also in attendance are representatives from a broad range of faiths across the island of Ireland.

Representatives from in attendance include members of Sinn Fein, Alliance Party, the SDLP and the Unionist Party, along with the Lord Mayor of and school children from Derry. The UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is also in attendance.

In the past, the guest list for a State reception would not have extended far beyond such formal official guests. Today’s event for Pope Francis is different. The audience for this event reflects wider modern Irish society and the particular interests of Pope Francis.

The Government invited families from around Ireland, people with disabilities, the LGBTI+ community, the travelling community, those who are marginalised in society, victims and survivors, and representatives of organisations who advocate and care for them.

Also in attendance is a wide range of frontline workers, such as the and Aid workers as a reminder of Ireland’s proud history of international engagement. About the harpist

At points during the event, a Harpist will play background music from the Battleaxe Landing. Muireann Ní Mhaoildeirg is the harpist. Muireann is 13 years old and is a student in Colaiste Íosagáin, Booterstown. She was a Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann medal winner in 2016 and 2017.

Muireann will perform the following pieces:  “The Tara Suite “  Binsin Luachra  Sí Beag Sí Mór  Eleanor Plunkett  O’ Carolans Concerto  An Bhútais  O’ Carolans Draught  Táimse im chodladh  Selection Jigs and reels

Running order

12.15 Pope Francis arrives at Dublin Castle and is greeted at the entrance by An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, TD.

The Taoiseach’s Aide de Camp, Comdt. Caroline Burke and Ambassador to the Holy See Emma Madigan are also present

Taoiseach escorts Pope Francis to the Drawing Room

Pope presents Taoiseach with Papal medallion

Pope invited to sign Visitors Book

Tête-à-tête: Principals plus 2 interpreters (with Irish, EU & Papal flags behind)

Taoiseach and Pope progress to St Patrick’s Hall, via Battleaxe landing

(Arrival into St. Patrick’s Hall announced by MC in Irish & English)

Harpist plays background music from Battleaxe Landing

Taoiseach and Pope are seated on stage

Taoiseach speaks from the podium (8-10 mins) – introduced by MC in Irish & English

Pope Francis delivers his address from the podium (8-10 mins) in Italian – introduced by MC in Irish & English

MC announces Principals’ departure

13.00 Taoiseach bids farewell at main entrance