Dublin Castle

Located in the heart of historic Dublin, Dublin Castle was built on the orders of King John, the first Lord of Ireland, in 1210 on the site of a former Danish Viking Fortress. Much of the castle has been rebuilt several times over its history with most of the modern day structure built at points during the 18th century. Of the original structure, only the Record Tower still stands today and is now more like a palace than a castle with lavish architecture and opulent rooms. Over the years the castle has been used as a royal residence, court house and prison and the Irish Crown Jewels were kept here until they were stolen in 1907. And it was here that on December 6 1921 the Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed effectively ending 700 years of colonial rule and forming what is now the Republic of Ireland. Nowadays, the castle is used for ceremonial procedures and to entertain visiting heads of state. It remains one of the most lavish places in all of Dublin.