Royal Hospital Kilmainham

The Royal Hospital Kilmainham, located about two kilometers west of Dublin city center, is one of the city’s most important historical buildings and a symbol of its rich architectural heritage. Built between 1680 and 1684 by order of King Charles II and designed by architect Sir William Robinson, the hospital was intended to house invalid soldiers of the British army, an institution reminiscent of the famous Les Invalides in Paris. The site on which the Royal Hospital Kilmainham stands has a history dating back to the 7th century when it hosted a Christian settlement. In 1174, Richard de Clare, better known as Strongbow, transformed the area into a medieval hospital and monastery for the Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem. This historical foundation gave the area its name, Kilmainham. The building itself is a magnificent example of classical architecture, characterized by four wings enclosing a large courtyard. The north side houses the chapel and dining hall, topped by a clock tower with a spire. The chapel, with its imposing stained glass window, stands out against the main facade of the building, while the wings are structured on two floors with an additional attic floor. Initially, the hospital was designed to accommodate 400 pensioners, but during various historical periods, it housed up to 2,500 people. In 1690, the hospital began caring for army pensioners who had fought in the Battle of the Boyne. Its function as a military hospital continued until 1922, when the building was transferred to the newly formed Irish Free State. After Ireland’s independence, the Royal Hospital Kilmainham was used for various purposes. From 1930 to 1950, it served as the headDistricts of the Garda Síochána, the Irish police. However, the building gradually fell into disuse and required significant restoration work. In the 1980s, the Irish government, under the leadership of Taoiseach Charles Haughey, approved a renovation project that restored the building to its former glory, with an investment of three million Irish pounds. In 1991, the hospital was reopened as the home of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), transforming the area into a vibrant cultural center. The museum houses a vast collection of modern and contemporary art, with exhibitions ranging from Irish to international works, including impressive sculptures displayed in the 48 acres of surrounding formal gardens. These gardens, originally intended for medicinal purposes, were later used as private gardens for the commander of the RHK, adding a touch of beauty and tranquility to the entire complex. Another significant feature of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham is its role as a location for films and television series. The historic structure has been used in productions such as “The Madman and the Professor,” “The Tudors,” and “Penny Dreadful,” adding an additional layer of cultural interest to the site. Every year, the Royal Hospital Kilmainham is the center of Ireland’s national commemorations, where the President of Ireland lays a wreath in memory of all Irish people who have fallen in past wars and in missions with the United Nations. This solemn event underscores the historical and symbolic importance of the site in Ireland’s collective memory.