Skip to main content
Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath / Dublin City Council

Main navigation

  • Residential
  • Business
  • Your Council
Menu
Menu
Advanced Search

Main navigation (mobile)

  • Residential
  • Business
  • Your Council
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Residential
  3. Arts and Events
  4. City Hall
Language switcher
  • English
  • Gaeilge

City Hall 12 Murals

Back to City Hall

The twelve paintings in the Rotunda of Dublin’s City Hall represent scenes from the early history of Dublin, from the Druidical Age to the coronation of Lambert Simnel in 1487 AD.

Share
  • Share via Twitter
  • Share via Facebook
  • Share via WhatsApp

The Murals in City Hall

Although the paintings have always been described as frescoes, they are in fact murals, as they are painted onto dry stone in the panels between the Rotunda’s columns and under the cornice of the cupola.

Each panel measures a little over eight feet by four feet. Historical and legendary scenes occupy eight of these panels and the remaining four contain the heraldic arms of the four provinces of Ireland. The central shield of each coat of arms is supported on either side by fanciful Celtic animals and surrounded by interlaced designs, inspired by the Book of Kells. The murals are striking examples of the arts and crafts movement in Dublin.

James Ward (1851-1942)

James Ward was headmaster of the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art (today the National College of Art and Design) from 1907-1918. He was an important figure in the Irish and British art scene of the late 19th and early 20th century. In 1913, he approached Dublin City Council with an offer to decorate the plain panels under the dome of City Hall – an original feature of the building as designed by Thomas Cooley in 1769.

The Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland advised Dublin City Council to accept Ward’s offer and work began on the murals in 1914. The project was completed by 1919 and to show its appreciation of Ward’s services, Dublin City Council voted him a grant of £350. The murals were restored for Dublin Corporation by Matthew Moss in 1968.

Murals

Legend of naming of Dublin Legend of St.Patrick Blessing the King of Dublin Coat of Arms of Leinster Irishmen oppose the landing of the Viking Fleets, c. 841 A.D Mael Sechnaill II, King of Tara receives the Tribute of Gold Arms of Province of Connaught Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, addressing his army before Legend of Tristram and Iseult Arms of Province of Munster Parley between St Laurence O’Toole and Strongbow outside Lambert Simnel carried through the streets of Dublin 1487 Arms of Province of Ulster
Contact Details

City Hall

Telephone Number
01 222 2204
Email Address
[email protected]
Share
  • Share via Twitter
  • Share via Facebook
  • Share via WhatsApp

In this Section

  • History of City Hall
  • City Hall 12 Murals
Close

Main navigation

  • Residential
  • Business
  • Your Council

Footer menu

  • About Us
    • Careers
    • Who Does What
    • News and Media
    • Policies and Documents
  • Using dublincity.ie
    • Website Accessibility
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Sitemap
  • Statutory Obligations
    • Freedom of Information
    • Data Protection
    • Access to Information on the Environment
    • Protected Disclosures
    • Lobbying
    • Official Languages Act
    • Ethics
    • Public Sector Duty
    • Sell to government
  • Get in Touch / Feedback
    • Contact Us
    • Make a Service Request
    • Make a Payment
    • Make a Complaint
    • Public Consultations

Customer Services Centre

Address

Civic Offices
Wood Quay
Dublin 8
D08 RF3F
Ireland

Telephone Number
01 222 2222
Email Address
[email protected]

Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath / Dublin City Council
Dublin City Council
Visit our other sites

© 2022 Dublin City Council