Iveagh House
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Iveagh House is now the Department of Foreign Affairs as it was donated to the Irish State by the Guinness family in 1939. Originally two houses, nos 80/81 St Stephen's Green, no 80 was originally designed by Richard Castle in 1736. After both houses were bought by Benjamin Guinness in 1862, he acted as his own architect and produced the current house.
On the facade pediment Guinness placed his parents' arms; on the left the Milesian lion and red hand of the Magennis clan of Co. Down, and on the right the arms of the Lee family, Dublin builders from about 1700.
Finished in Portland Stone, the building has a severe appearance. Of nine bays the central three are broken forward and pedimented. The interior of the building is hugely elaborate and decorative with an incredible staircase and ballroom. Both are lined with alabaster and the staircase has ornate Victorian ironwork as well as marble columns and circular roof lights. It is said that the swirling yellow and brown marble that lines the ballroom suggested the appearance of a settling pint of Guinness.
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