The Mansion House was built in 1710 by the merchant and property developer Joshua Dawson, for whom Dawson Street is named. Dublin Corporation purchased the house in 1715 for assignment as the official residence of the Lord Mayor. It retains this purpose to this day. Also onsite is the Restaurant ‘FIRE’ and a Conference and Events Centre.

The Mansion House’s most famous features include the “Round Room”, where the First Dail assembled on 21 January 1919 to proclaim the Irish Declaration of Independence. On 21 January 1969 a special fiftieth anniversary joint session of Dail Eireann and Seanad Eireann assembled here and was addressed by the then President of Ireland, Eamon de Valera. Also notable is the large dining room, where the cabinet of the Irish Republic met on occasion under President Eamon de Valera.