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A Brief History

Built in 1710, The Mansion House has been the official residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin since 1715. Joshua Dawson; after whom Dawson Street is named; built the Mansion House and was the first to develop this area of the city which was once marshlands. On the 25th of April 1715 the Mansion House was purchased for £3,500, an annual rent and a six pound loaf of double refined sugar every Christmas. It was the first purpose bought Lord Mayor’s Residence in the United Kingdom. The room in which Fire Restaurant is now located is formally called the supper room. The present room is the third structure built for such a purpose on this site. The first was built in 1864, the second in 1881 and the last in 1891. The room, built on a budget of £1, 500, was used as the supper room for the Lord Mayor initially, later it was used as a cultural centre but in the 1990s it returned to its original purpose as a supper room and became a commercial restaurant. In 2005, it became Fire @ The Mansion House, whilst the building itself remains in the care of the state, and the Lord Mayor is still in residence in the Mansion House and often comes to dine in ‘The Supper Room’.

Nowadays it is one of the top restaurants in Dublin.

old image of the mansion house

The Mansion House (above) was the centre of political and cultural activities for many years. Each step from colony, to Free State, to Republic was marked by an event at the Mansion House.

In a time when Irish culture was fighting to survive, as urbanisation and modern technology was threatening Irish rural culture the Lord Mayor’s residence held many dancing championships and Feisanna bolstering the traditional community. Craft fairs and art exhibitions were also commonly held by the Mansion House supporting artisans in the young Ireland.

Virtual Tours

Have a look at our Virtual Tour which will bring you on a journey through the layout of Fire Restaurant and give you a feel for our magnificent restaurant.

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