Photos of City Hall

Dublin City Hall (Irish: Hallana Cathrach, Baile & Aacute; tha Cliath), originally "Royal Exchange", is a historic building in Dublin, Ireland, built from 1769 to 1779, designed by architect Thomas Cooley. Dublin City Hall is located at the end of Parliament Street on the south side of the city, adjacent to Dublin Castle, the center of the British government in Ireland before 1922. Parliament Street was built in 1753 as a continuation of Capel Street (Capel Street) on the north bank of the River Liffey, across the newly widened Essex Bridge, so the Exchange is a long street opposite. The Royal Exchange, with its sheer size and intricate fittings, reflects Dublin's stature and prestige in the 18th century. The neoclassical building includes a central entrance hall with a massive dome supported by 12 columns around which merchants could wander and discuss business. The function of the building was to provide a meeting place for Dublin merchants where goods and bills could be bought and sold. It was also close to what was then the Customs House, where the Clarence Hotel is today, making it convenient for overseas merchants. The cost of the building was provided by the Irish Parliament, which is reflected in the acronym "SPQH", which means "Senate and People of Ireland". The city hall was originally located in medieval Tholsel on Thomas Street a quarter mile west, and before that, at "Thingmount", now Suffolk Street. In the 18th century the meeting was held on South William Street. In 1815, the metal railing of the exchange fell due to the crowd, killing nine people and injuring many others. Therefore the crowd in this building is limited in number. In the 1850s, Dublin City Council purchased the Royal Exchange, converting it for municipal use. On September 30, 1852, the Royal Exchange was renamed City Hall, and the first meeting of the Dublin City Council was held there. A series of frescoes were added later, representing various regions of Ireland.