Press release
Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran officially reopens Casino at Marino
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister of State for the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Flood Relief, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD, today officially reopened to the public the Casino at Marino in North Dublin. The Casino at Marino, which was closed for two years while it underwent remedial and conservation work, is internationally regarded as one of the finest architectural masterpieces of eighteenth-century Europe. The OPW is now offering free admission and guided tours of the Casino at Marino, which is both a protected structure and a national monument. The Casino (which means small house) was designed in 1759 by William Chambers as a pleasure house for James Caulfield, 1st Earl of Charlemont, whose vision was to recreate in Dublin an Italianate paradise that would represent all that is good in neo-classical architecture. Together, Charlemont and Chambers created a unique and intriguing garden temple from which to take full advantage of the magnificent panorama of Dublin Bay. Visitors to the Casino, will see a lavishly decorated building, a compact exterior cleverly disguising an interior of intimate rooms displaying intricately ornate Georgian motifs, richly patterned marquetry floors and beautifully executed plasterwork.
The Casino first opened to the public in 1984, and due its nature and importance is subject to ongoing conservation and remedial works. In June 2017, the OPW took the decision to close the Casino to undertake electrical works. Initially, it was anticipated that the monument would only be closed temporarily but additional conservation work relating to the stonework of the monument was then undertaken.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Moran said:
"The Casino at Marino is regarded internationally for its exquisite design and the OPW is conscious of the great responsibility it has to protect, preserve and promote the monument so that it can be enjoyed for generations to come. Today we are reopening the Casino to the public, confident the conservation work and craftsmanship will ensure it endures and thrives. Today is an important day here locally as well - while the Casino is feted internationally, it is also of exceptional importance to the local community here in North Dublin, who regard it with exceptional pride. I am delighted to announce that the monument is open to the public once more and the OPW is offering free admission and guided tours to encourage people to visit this true architectural wonder."
The Casino at Marino will host a series of cultural events and activities over the next two months including:
The Casino at Marino is open to the public until 27 November 2019 and from March to October 2020. Admission is free.
For more information go to www.casinomarino.ie.
ENDS
For further information please contact OPW Client Services and Communications at 087 947 5552 or opwcsc@opw.ie
Photography will be available after the event from Lafayette Photography gwen@lafayette.ie or 01 429 5740
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