The Revenges of Time

The Revenges of Time

25 Jan 1931

Dublin Castle and it’s modern uses.

THE whirligig of time certainly brings revenges. Amongst the latest news is that of the purposes to which Dublin Castle is to be devoted. There are numbers who could have wished that the institution should suffer the fate destined for the “Kilmainham Hotel.” On consideration, however, there are good reasons why, at least, parts of the fabric should be preserved.


Cork Hill’s Citadel

Following the Scandinavian conquest of Dublin, a “Dun” is said to have been erected adjacent to where is now Cork Hill. Later came “the iron lords of Normandy,” and in compliance with the desires of King John, Henry de Loundres (the Londoner), Archbishop of Dublin, and Lord Justice of Ireland, “builded the King’s Castle . . . four square or quadrangular wise.” The object was to serve as “a depository for the King’s; treasure, and also as a convenient place for administering justice to the City, or defending it according to occasion.” This citadel has vanished. So has the fosse, filled with water from the Poddle, that encircled- its sides. Opposite the Municipal Buildings formerly rose the imposing entrance. As well as a drawbridge, there were ‘two gate towers, in which was a portcullis. The western tower remained standing until the 18th century. It was connected by a high curtain wall with what was eventually termed the Cork Tower, convenient to the northern end of the passage called the “Castle Steps,” leading into Little Ship Street tinder the archway that has superseded St. Austin’s Gate.

Similar strong curtain walls were linked to the Birmingham Tower. In the southern defence of the bastille were included two smaller towers, between the Birmingham and the Wardrobe Towers. Near the former was a sallyport towards Ship Street, while an additional sallyport was contiguous to the Store Tower nearby Dame’s Gate. Provided with loopholes for sharpshooters, the fortress in the 16th century, after its restoration by Sir Henry Sidney, must have menaced aggressors.

Within the Castle’s ambit was once a chapel, a mill, and a mint, as at in Trim. Controlled by a Constable, whom it was decreed must be a full born ( Englishman, Parliaments withinits circumvallation frequently legislated against “the mere Irish.”
Amongst other strange performances in the Castle were a form of gladiatorial contests. Thus in 15S3, it is told, “Connor MacCormac O’Connor appealed Teig MacGilpatrick O’Connor before the Lords Justices, Adam Loftus “reformed” Archbishop of Dublin, and Sir Henry Wallop and Council, for killing his men under protection.” Stripped to their shirts, the combatants fought fiercely with sword and target. The appellant having slain his enemy, a,- contemporary chronicler, Hooker, naively remarks, “that the combat was L managed with such valour and resolve- a lion on both sides, that the spectators wished that it had rather fallen on the whole sex (sept) of the O’Connors than I upon these two gentlemen.”

For Faith and Fatherland.

Sad as any associations of Dublin Castle are those of the latter half of the sixteenth century and succeeding years. The City has then been described as being ” little better than a slaughterhouse.” The head of Shane O’Neill ” the proud” and others of his compatriots , grinned scorn from the Castle’s gates. Confessors like Dermot O’ Hurley, Cornelius O’ Devaney. Peter Talbot, Oliver Plunket, were here tortured in dungeons. Red Hugh O’Donnell’s escape was as a light shot through this gloom. “Silken Thomas,” Emmet, and “the men of 98,” were of those who desired to consumate what is now being wrought.

Of the original stronghold, little of account endures. The portcullised tower has been replaced by a ” gateway, surmounted by a stone statue of justice. A short distance beyond is the Bedford Tower. Here were once apartments for the Dean of the Chapel Royal, the Chamberlain and the Aides-de-camp of the Viceroy. Quite recently certain of the rooms were TOMAS.S. CUFFE portioned as winding-up courts of Sinn Fein.

The Lower Castle Yard.

Dean Swift, although innocently enough, was amongst the agents who harmed the Castle. While in occupation of some rooms, he caused a fire through his careless practice of reading in bed. The Lower Yard at one time contained a coveted armoury, 60,000 stand of arms, as well as pikes and other weapons taken from the men of ’98, and those who in later periods battled for freedom. The Wardrobe Tower, which was utilised as a prison for five hundred years, is still notable for its walls that in parts are nineteen feet thick.

The neighbouring Birmingham Tower was likewise, a prison. Destroyed by an explosion of gun-powder, it was rebuilt during the Viceroyalty of the Earl of Wharton. Addison, the celebrated essayist, was his secretary. Priceless documents were removed from the top story of this structure, to be lost through the burning of the Four Courts. The second part of the structure used to serve as a supper room, and the lower portion as a kitchen during the Viceregal seasons.

St. Patrick’s Hall Paintings

Already the contemplated change of St. Patrick’s Hall from a Law Library to its former purposes, has attracted much notice. The noble room with its gallery for musicians was ingeniously decorated by an artist named Waldren. Impanelled in three compartments, the central allegorical picture of the ceiling depicts George the Third supported by Justice and Liberty; a second is an illustration of St. Patrick converting the native Irish; while a third was intended to represent the submission of the petty kings of Ireland to Henry the Second. The last portrayal moved a witty Irish lady to remark upon her visit to the Castle.

“By my word it would have Won a poor religious subject to so with St. Patrick at the other side and nearer the truth to have shown Henry’s own submission to the whips of the monks at Becket’s tomb.

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