Entrance Hall

The Entrance Hall

The Entrance Hall dates back to 1751 when Nathaniel Clements rebuilt the Park Ranger’s house, and its magnificent coffered barrel-vaulted ceiling dates from this time. The ceiling coffers contain plaster busts, trophies and other objects associated with the house, including a bust of Charles II, the monarch who developed the Phoenix Park.

The mahogany wine cooler, designed by Francis Johnston in 1810, was made by the 19th century Dublin cabinet-makers, Mack, Williams and Gibton. The busts on either side of the door into the State Drawing Room are of the 19th century political leader Daniel O’Connell and the poet James Clarence Mangan; they are part of a collection assembled by President Douglas Hyde. The paintings and sculptures here are chosen to represent the vibrant energies of contemporary Ireland, and are by men and women from all the four provinces of Ireland: abstract compositions by Jacinta Feeney, Tony O’Malley and Felim Egan and bronze sculptures by Melanie Le Brocquy and John Behan.

The hall also contains a visitors’ book which has been signed by all the notable visitors to the Áras.