The Casino de Marino is a 1750 building in Dublin, Ireland. It’s a kind of Italian “house”, designed by Scottish architect William Chambers for James Caulfield, 1st Earl of Charlemont. The latter had literally fallen under the spell of Italian constructions and decided to have one built in his Dublin garden. The building is wildly excessive, designed in pure neo-classical style.
If you’re looking for an example of totally crazy, atypical architecture in Ireland, look no further than the Casino de Marino. It’s the green island’s most famous neo-classical building! Firstly, because it was built by the architect to the British Crown, but also because it’s a skilful blend of simplicity and complexity.
Starting with the sight of its facade! The house is rather small, and its exterior façade suggests the existence of a single room, guarded by a rather austere entrance. But that’s what construction is all about: don’t be fooled by appearances! The house has no fewer than 16 rooms spread over 3 floors! They include :
The interior design is in total disarray! Most rooms feature stucco ceilings, wood floors, mosaics, trompe-l’œil, white marble fireplaces… All in true Italian style!
Exterior windows reflect light, making it impossible for people to see what’s going on inside the house!
Finally, the roof is adorned with funerary urns… A curiosity that adds a certain panache to the construction!
Allow around 45 minutes for a complete tour of the house and its rooms. You’ll learn more about James Caulfield’s life, his love of Iralia, and the history of the house’s construction.
free of charge