Historical Buildings in and near Sligo

Sligo’s historical buildings represent a variety of architectural styles. From the Gothic tomb sculptures at Sligo Abbey, to the historical buildings of Kevinsford House with its Georgian facade, the historical architecture will astound conservation enthusiasts. The delightful historical building that houses Sligo’s Yeats Society also serve to educate visitors on the celebrated poet’s life and times.

Kevinsfort House

This period house is open to the public. Group tours are welcome by appointment. It is a distinctly Georgian period house built in 1820, showing the unique character of the era. ... more

Stately government buildings, beautiful universities, elegant homes and even centuries-old pubs... Ireland is full of wonderful historical architecture. Every visitor will be captivated by the beautiful buildings of Ireland's cities and towns, which offer a fascinating insight into Ireland's heritage.

Dublin was established as early as 988 AD. It was not until the late 17th century, however, that the city grew from a small, walled town into a large European city. From the early 18th century onwards, the city grew exponentially, and it was in this time period that most of Dublin's historical buildings were constructed.

One of Dublin's most important collection of buildings is situated at Trinity College, the city's university that was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. Trinity College is Ireland's oldest and most eminent university, and its alumni include Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker and Samuel Beckett. The college's buildings date from the 17th to the 20th century and are surrounded by peaceful lawns and cobbled quads. The major attractions of the university are the magnificent Old Library and the precious Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript exquisitely transcribed and illustrated by 9th century Celtic monks.

As the capital of the Republic of Ireland, Dublin boasts a number of impressive buildings designed or used for government purposes, and the city ranks amongst Europe's most beautiful capitals due to its superb historical buildings. The Mansion House was built in 1710 as the stately home of the merchant and property developer Joshua Dawson, and was bought by Dublin city government in 1715 as an official residence for the Lord Mayor. The city's leaders bought the house for ?3,500 and also paid a yearly rent of forty shillings and a loaf of refined sugar in exchange for Dawson adding on another room for civic receptions, the now famous Oak Room. Dublin was in fact the first city in Ireland or Britain to have an official residence for their Lord Mayor, and it is still used for that purpose today. Some crucial political events have taken place in the Mansion House. The Round Room was the meeting place of the first Irish Parliament in 1919, and the first cabinet of the Irish Republic also occasionally met in the large dining room.

The National Parliament of Ireland now meets in Leinster House, a magnificent building facing the city's famous Merrion Square. When it was built in 1745, the south side of the city was unfashionable, but its owner, the Earl of Kildare, predicted that other aristocrats would follow his example and move their residences around Merrion Square too. His prediction was fulfilled, as many upper class Dublin citizens soon started building their sumptuous mansions in the area. Kildare House, as it was then known, was the finest residence in the city at that time. When the Earl was made Duke of Leinster, his Dublin home was renamed Leinster House. The Royal Dublin Society later took over the house, and eventually sold it to the Irish government in 1925 to use as the seat of both houses of Irish Parliament – the Dail and the Senate. A fascinating fact about Leinster House is that it its superb architecture influenced the design of Washington D.C's White House, which was built by an Irish architect.

Northern Ireland's capital, Belfast, has been occupied since the Bronze Age, but remained a small settlement well into the Middle Ages. Belfast only really became a major town in the 17th century, and was settled mainly by Protestant English and Scottish immigrants. It became a commercial and industrial centre in the 18th and 19th centuries, with thriving industries including linen, rope-making, tobacco and shipbuilding.

In 1888 Queen Victoria gave the town of Belfast the status of a City, and the citizens soon afterwards started building the impressive City Hall. A public architectural competition was held, and Alfred Brunwell Thomas was selected to design the civic building. The building was eventually completed in 1906, and was constructed in Classical Renaissance style out of Portland Stone. Tours of the City Hall are available and its beautiful landscaped gardens are open to the public. The interior features the marble Great Dome, stained glass windows, decorative plaster work and a grand staircase.

Another well-known Belfast building is situated opposite the City Hall in Donegall Square: the Linen Hall Library is the cultural centre of Belfast. It was originally built as a Linen Warehouse in the 1860s, and became a library in 1892. The library that occupies the building is much older than that though – it was founded as the Belfast Reading Society in 1788, and is Belfast's oldest library, specialising in books and manuscripts related to all aspects of Irish culture.

One of Belfast's most magnificent buildings is the Grand Opera House, built between 1894-5, by famous theatre architect Frank Matcham. Despite being damaged by bombs twice in the 20th century, the theatre has been carefully restored, and is still a Victorian masterpiece. The interior is especially beautiful, featuring an impressive amphitheatre with a painted ceiling.

Although Belfast is full of impressive historical buildings mainly used for government or cultural purposes, the distinction of the oldest building in the city goes to McHugh's Bar and Restaurant, which dates back to 1711, and is still a working pub today.