Finished in 1794, 63 Merrion Square served as an elegant and ‘substantial Dwelling House’ for Dublin’s elite for over a century, before its acquisition by the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland in 1917. The building is unique in Dublin, being the only fully intact Georgian town-house in the city, from its coal cellars under the front pavement to the original coach house and stables beyond the garden.

This tour will begin in the entry of Society House, featuring detailed plasterwork by Andrew Callanan styled after the works of eighteenth-century Dublin’s pre-eminent stuccodore, Michael Stapleton, before moving into the Library for an immersive experience with architectural drawings and photographs from the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland’s archival collections.

The remainder of the tour will bring attendees to the first floor reception rooms, with overlooking views of Merrion Square and will discuss different artworks and architectural features of Society House, before finishing in the restored Georgian garden. In addition to the archival collections, the tour will also highlight and demonstrate how personal choices for colours, furnishings and architectural features were essential to the enjoyment and process of finishing a house to ‘taste’ in Georgian Ireland.

Meeting point: Front Entrance of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland

Accessible Toilets
Assistance Dogs welcome

The tour will begin at the entry of 63 Merrion Square South and will encompass the ground floor, first floor and Georgian garden. Access into Society House and its rooms will involve stairs to move between spaces, with all rooms and the garden having ample space for seating if needed.