Free Family Exhibition open to the public from 19th July to 29th August
Interactive experience charts the history of the home of the first Dáil
Newly appointed Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alison Gilliland, took part in one of her first official duties since her selection on Monday 28th June to launch the Round Room 200 exhibition which marks the 200th anniversary of the historic Dublin landmark.
The Round Room was built in 1821 for the visit of King George IV to Dublin. Located within the Mansion House complex on Dawson Street, the residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin, over the past two hundred years, the Round Room has welcomed royalty yet given birth to the Irish Republic, as the venue for the inaugural Dáil Éireann in 1919. Its long and complex narrative mirrors the history of Dublin.
The free exhibition, which is brought to life by The Conference and Events Venue at the Mansion House in partnership with Dublin City Council, will take visitors on an interactive journey that tells the tale of the important role that the Round Room has played in Dublin’s history for the past two centuries from its unusual origins, the key role it played in Irish nationalism to its usage in the modern-day.
In addition to the historical impact of the building, visitors will also learn of a number of entertaining episodes that occurred under the iconic domed roof, such as Papal visits, raucous parties, and how Michael Collins evaded capture by borrowing a janitor’s brush.
The spectacle, which was designed and built in partnership with Dublin-based Interpretive Creative Design firm Nineyards, has also been created with sustainability at its core by limiting disposable materials used throughout the experience.
Alison Gilliland, Lord Mayor of Dublin, said, “I’m delighted that one of my first duties as Lord Mayor is to welcome the public to a historic and free event taking place right on my doorstep here in the Round Room. The city is alive with activity this summer, and we’re very excited to offer people of all ages the opportunity to experience the unique and educational Round Room 200 Exhibition in a safe and interactive environment.”
Speaking at the launch, Padraic O’Kane of The Conference and Events Venue at the Mansion House, said “With the city beginning to open up, we believe that we have created something very special! We’re delighted to be able to host this as a free public event in partnership with Dublin City Council that we’re hoping will attract people back into the heart of Dublin city to experience Round Room 200. We’ve worked tirelessly to create a unique event that’s both fun and educational and provides something for people of all ages. To support the City’s economy recovery, the free exhibition will include evening entry seven days a week until August 29th”
