Dublin Castle

Attached south-facing single-storey screen wall, built c. 1850, with central Tudor-arch vehicular archway and having two-storey pavilions to ends. Possibly incorporates portions of original medieval Castle curtain wall. Pavilion roofs concealed behind parapets. Painted smooth-rendered walling to west pavilion and first floor of east pavilion, and coursed ashlar limestone walling to ground floor of east pavilion, latter with stringcourse to first floor, stepped limestone quoins to first floor, and limestone cornice. Rubble limestone screen wall on ashlar limestone plinth, with painted smooth render band over string moulding, ashlar limestone copings, triple-slit window opening to ground floor of west pavilion, surmounted by roundels and group of three pointed-arch windows. Square-headed doorway to ground floor of west side of west pavilion, with recent timber door. East pavilion has two round-headed openings to ground floor, infilled to accommodate ten-over-ten pane timber sliding sash window with fanlight, and other having recent double-leaf timber door with similar fanlight. Vehicular entrance of ashlar limestone with plinths, moulded stringcourse over arch, crenellated parapet, and double-leaf timber battened gate with strap hinges. Granite pavement alongside screen wall and curving inwards to gateway.

This screen wall continues the sense of fortification along the south side of Dublin Castle. It mimics or incorporates part of the medieval curtain Castle wall. The central gateway and end pavilions make a strongly symmetrical ensemble that adds visual and historical interest to the complex. The contrast of rubble and ashlar, and of plain and well-worked detailing, is striking.