Beneath Dublin Castle’s skyline stands The Clock Tower Building. It is more than just a timekeeper. This tower has witnessed centuries of Dublin’s evolution.
The Clock Tower Building was erected around 1820. It may have been designed by Francis Johnston. Its original purpose was to house the Ordnance Office of the Royal Engineers. They stored munitions here for the regiments within Dublin Castle. The building’s structure is a U-shape made of grey limestone and brick. Accents of Wicklow granite add to its character.
Facing the State Apartments, the entrance showcases a Portland stone doorcase. Doric columns support an entablature. A cornice of Wicklow granite and a white painted clock tower complete the facade. The Clock Tower’s copper ogee dome gleams.
In 1995, the building was restored and extended. It became the new home for the Chester Beatty Library of Oriental Art. During this restoration, the original weather vane was to be reinstated. But the usual cockerel was missing. Sculptor Rachel Joynt created a replacement peacock. This exotic motif aligns with the library’s Oriental Art collection.
Inside, architect Angela Rolfe designed a concourse within the inner courtyard. Joynt was commissioned again to create a mosaic pool. It features a giant peacock’s feather of glass and Venetian enamels. This mosaic pool is 633x133cm. It is set into the slate floor of the museum concourse.
The State Stables, now the Coach House Gallery, is located on the south side of Dublin Castle Garden. It is the only surviving example of the once extensive stables within Dublin Castle. In the early 19th century architects Francis Johnston and William Murray proposed a screen wall. It was intended to conceal houses on Stephen’s Street.
Later, architect Jacob Owen designed a new stable block. It was concealed behind a Gothic facade. However, the building failed to conceal the houses. A row of trees might have been a better solution.
Today, The Clock Tower Building houses the Chester Beatty Library. But its history goes far beyond art. It once held munitions. It has seen restoration and reinvention. The Clock Tower stands as a testament to Dublin’s past. Its clock continues to tick. It marks the passage of time in this historic city. The Clock Tower Building has many stories to tell.