The Chapel Royal — Attraction in Dublin

The Chapel Royal in Dublin Castle was the official Church of Ireland chapel of the Household of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1814 until the creation of the Irish Free State in December 1922, which terminated the office of Lord Lieutenant and ended British rule in most of Ireland (Northern Ireland remained within the United Kingdom). In 1943, the chapel was reconsecrated as a Catholic place of worship, being rededicated as the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, but has not been used for worship since 1983.

This was the third chapel in the castle, and the second on this spot, since medieval times. Before the completion of the Chapel Royal, the Lords Lieutenant their entourage and hangers-on sometimes attended St. Werburgh's Church at the rear of the Castle to the west. The enormous pulpit that used to dominate the Chapel Royal has now been removed to St. Werburgh's.

Behind one of the galleries is a passage that leads to the bedrooms in the State Apartments. This was used by the Lord Lieutenant and his entourage when they were staying at the Castle. His pew (or throne) was in the centre of the right-hand gallery. Directly facing him was the place for the bishop. Lord Whitworth's arms appear directly at the Lord Lieutenant's position, a most prominent spot.

The organ case was constructed in 1857 to house a new organ by William Telford of Dublin, which replaced an earlier instrument by William Gray of London installed in 1815. A new organ was built by the firm Gray and Davison in 1900 into the same case. Although the case was restored in 2008, the organ is no longer playable as the pipework and mechanisms have been removed.

As each Lord Lieutenant left office, their coat of arms was carved on the gallery, and then, when space ran out, placed in a window of the chapel. It was noted by Irish nationalists that the last window available was taken up by the man who proved to be the last Lord Lieutenant, The 1st Viscount FitzAlan of Derwent (himself...

A very beautiful chapel of gothic architectural style. It has very ornate master crafted joinery to pews & panelling to mezzanine aisles above. All pilasters and ornate capitals are made from timber which is unusual. Beautiful gothic vaulted ceilings throughout & stained glass window to the alter. The white and black floor is spectacular! Nice Offaly limestone clad exterior with sculptured grotesque heads of famous people from our steeped lrish history located around its perimeter. The external stone buttresses with ornate pinnacles & castellated parapet stonework is unique. This small gothic church is a head turner for its master craftmanship! It is a replacement Church of lreland chapel built on the site of an original church. Its opening ceremony was held Christmas day 1814. King Henry lV attended a cermony here in 1822. Since it was built, it serviced the Anglican British Lords in Dublin. In 1921 it was to become serviced by a Catholic viceroy as a token by the British due to unrest by lrish citizens when a year later the free state was formed. Later in 1943 it became a Catholic Chapel for the lrish defence forces. It houses small concerts throughout the year, so it can be closed at times. In 1983 the church was closed for some restoration managed by the Architectural Department in the OPW. It is a...

If you go to Dublin Castle, do not skip the Chapel Royal -- it's a spectacular Gothic revival church designed by Francis Johnston (General Post Office) and opened in 1814. While on the small size, the sheer opulence of the architecture is stunning and has lovely elements such as upper level galleries and stained glass windows which are ornamented with coats of arms representing many of Ireland’s Viceroys. As an American, I found the carving of "Cornwallis" particularly interesting as he was the British general who surrendered at Yorktown during the War of American Independence. His portrait is also hanging in Dublin Castle. The exterior features over 90 carved heads, including Brian Boru, St. Patrick, and...