Steward's Lodge

Last updated

Steward's Lodge
Steward's Lodge W1 2011-03.jpg
View into Steward's Lodge grounds
Dublin map.png
Red pog.svg
Location within Dublin
General information
Location Phoenix Park, Dublin, Ireland
Coordinates 53°21′58″N6°21′29″W / 53.36619°N 6.35802°W / 53.36619; -6.35802
Current tenants Taoiseach
Renovated2006
Renovation cost€600,000
Owner Government of Ireland
Technical details
Floor count2

The Steward's Lodge is a house which was originally part of the Farmleigh estate, alongside the Phoenix Park in Dublin. It is sometimes used as a residence by the Taoiseach of Ireland.

Contents

History

Origins

The Steward's Lodge was originally built in the grounds of Farmleigh house – an 18th-century estate which was formerly owned by members of the Guinness family. [1] Originally accessible within the grounds of the estate, the lodge was subsequently separated from Farmleigh during refurbishment works. [1]

Taoiseach's residence

There is no official residence of the Taoiseach, with each Taoiseach residing in either their own homes, or in an apartment in Dublin. In the 1970s, plans were made to turn the former Apostolic Nunciature (formerly the Under Secretary's Lodge) in the Phoenix Park into an official residence. However, the plans fell through and the Georgian building was subsequently demolished. [2]

In 2006, it was announced by the Office of Public Works that the Steward's Lodge had been renovated, at a cost of nearly €600,000. [3] It was speculated that the house would become the official private residence of the Taoiseach after the 2007 general election, and any official engagements would be carried out in the nearby Farmleigh or Government Buildings. [4]

There was political sensitivity at government level about the project, with some concerned that it could be depicted as a lavish "perk" for the Taoiseach. In 2005, a spokeswoman for Bertie Ahern stated he had no interest in using it, and he remained resident in his private home in Drumcondra in Dublin. [4] In 2008, it was reported that Brian Cowen might use it as his official residence. [1] Media reports suggest that Garda concerns for the Taoiseach's security precluded him from continuing to reside in his own Dublin home in the city centre. [1] Cowen did not formally reside in the Steward's Lodge, preferring to return to his family home in County Offaly, but he did use it "from time to time". [5] [6] In 2011, it was reported that the then Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, would make use of the residence, however he used it very rarely. [7] [8] Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar resided in his private apartment in Castleknock, [9] but used the Lodge for occasional parties at his own expense. [8] During the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland it was used as a residence by Varadkar due to its teleconferencing facilities. [10]

In July 2024, it was reported that government security advisors were insisting that the Taoiseach and his family move into Steward's Lodge for their security, following a number of anti-immigration disturbances and an increase in the number of attacks on politicians internationally. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taoiseach</span> Head of government of Ireland

The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The office is appointed by the President of Ireland upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann and the office-holder must retain the support of a majority in the Dáil to remain in office.

<i>Áras an Uachtaráin</i> Official residence of the President of Ireland

Áras an Uachtaráin, formerly the Viceregal Lodge, is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of Ireland. It is located off Chesterfield Avenue in the Phoenix Park in Dublin. The building design was credited to amateur architect Nathaniel Clements but more likely guided by professionals and completed around 1751 to 1757.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phoenix Park</span> Park in Dublin, Ireland

The Phoenix Park is a large urban park in Dublin, Ireland, lying 2–4 kilometres (1.2–2.5 mi) west of the city centre, north of the River Liffey. Its 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) perimeter wall encloses 707 hectares of recreational space. It includes large areas of grassland and tree-lined avenues, and since the 17th century has been home to a herd of wild fallow deer. The Irish Government is lobbying UNESCO to have the park designated as a World Heritage Site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Cowen</span> 12th Taoiseach from 2008 to 2011

Brian Bernard Cowen is an Irish former politician who served as Taoiseach and Leader of Fianna Fáil from 2008 to 2011. Cowen served as a TD for the constituency of Laois–Offaly from 1984 to 2011 and served in a number of ministerial roles between 1992 and 2011, including as Minister for Finance from 2004 to 2008 and Tánaiste from 2007 to 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Micheál Martin</span> Irish politician (born 1960)

Micheál Martin is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who is serving as Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Defence since December 2022. He served as Taoiseach from 2020 to 2022 and has been Leader of Fianna Fáil since January 2011. He has been a TD for Cork South-Central since 1989. He served as Leader of the Opposition from 2011 to 2020 and held various Cabinet offices under Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farmleigh</span> State guest house and estate in Dublin, Ireland

Farmleigh is the official Irish state guest house. It was formerly one of the Dublin residences of the Guinness family. It is situated on an elevated position above the River Liffey to the northwest of the Phoenix Park, in Castleknock. The estate of 78 acres (32 ha) consists of extensive private gardens with stands of mature cypress, pine and oak trees, a boating pond, walled garden, sunken garden, out offices and a herd of rare native Kerry cattle. It was purchased by the Government of Ireland from Edward Guinness, 4th Earl of Iveagh in 1999 for €29.2 million. A state body—the Office of Public Works (OPW)—spent in the region of €23 million restoring the house, gardens and curvilinear glasshouses, bringing the total cost to the state to €52.2 million. Farmleigh was opened to the public in July 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deerfield Residence</span> Residence of United States Ambassador to Ireland

The Deerfield Residence is the official residence of the United States Ambassador to Ireland in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.

The 30th Dáil was elected at the 2007 general election on 24 May 2007 and met on 14 June 2007. The members of Dáil Éireann, the house of representatives of the Oireachtas (legislature) of Ireland, are known as TDs. It sat with the 23rd Seanad as the two Houses of the Oireachtas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leo Varadkar</span> 14th Taoiseach (2017–2020; 2022–2024)

Leo Eric Varadkar is an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Taoiseach from 2017 to 2020 and from 2022 to 2024, as Tánaiste from 2020 to 2022, and as leader of Fine Gael from 2017 to 2024. A TD for the Dublin West constituency since 2007, he has held a range of other ministerial positions in the Irish government. His political stances have been described as centre-right economically; he has advocated free markets, lower taxes, and welfare reform. On social issues, he supported successful constitutional referendums to legalise same-sex marriage and to liberalise Ireland's abortion laws.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darragh O'Brien</span> Irish politician (born 1974)

Darragh O'Brien is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who has served as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage since June 2020. He has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin Fingal constituency since the 2016 general election, and previously from 2007 to 2011 for the Dublin North constituency. He previously served as a Senator for the Labour Panel from 2011 to 2016.

Fine Gael is a political party in Ireland, formed in 1933 as a merger of Cumann na nGaedheal, the National Centre Party, and the Blueshirts.

Events from the year 2008 in Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ireland–South Africa relations</span> Bilateral relations

There is a historical and current bilateral relationship between Ireland and South Africa. Both countries have established embassies in the territory of the other, in Dublin and Pretoria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Global Irish Economic Forum</span> Biennial conference held in Dublin, Ireland

The Global Irish Economic Forum is a biennial conference held in Dublin, Ireland. Inspired by the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, international figures from the worlds of business and culture attend the event. The first Forum was held at Farmleigh in Dublin's Phoenix Park from 18 to 20 September 2009, and was given widespread coverage by RTÉ. The second forum was held at Dublin Castle in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leader of Fianna Fáil</span>

The Leader of Fianna Fáil is the most senior politician within the Fianna Fáil political party in Ireland. Since 26 January 2011, the office has been held by Micheál Martin, following the resignation of Taoiseach Brian Cowen as leader of the party.

Events during the year 2018 in Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visit by Pope Francis to Ireland</span> 2018 Papal Visit

Pope Francis visited Ireland on 25 and 26 August 2018, as part of the World Meeting of Families 2018. It was the first visit by a reigning pontiff to the country since 1979.

Events during the year 2020 in Ireland. As in most of the world, the COVID-19 pandemic dominated events in Ireland during this year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics in the Republic of Ireland</span> Consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics in the Republic of Ireland

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted and affected the political system of the Republic of Ireland, causing suspensions of legislative activities and isolation of multiple politicians due to fears of spreading the virus. Several politicians have tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irish government response to the COVID-19 pandemic</span>

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland, the Irish government introduced various public health and economic measures to mitigate its impact.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Quinlan, Ronald (18 May 2008). "Opulent Phoenix Park lodge is set to become 'Fortress Cowen'". Irish Independent . Archived from the original on 21 May 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  2. "State Papers – Day One: Áras for Taoiseach project abandoned". Irish Examiner . 30 December 2010. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2010.
  3. "Farmleigh lodge slept in for 7 nights since €600k revamp". Irish Examiner . 31 December 2008. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  4. 1 2 Reid, Liam (28 December 2005). "Farmleigh lodge planned as residence for future taoisigh". The Irish Times . Archived from the original on 8 October 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  5. O'Regan, Michael (29 January 2009). "Cowen questioned on use of Farmleigh". The Irish Times . Archived from the original on 18 November 2010. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  6. O'Brien, Jason (25 July 2009). "Cowen stays at Farmleigh more often". Irish Independent . Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  7. Hamilton, Samuel (27 February 2011). "Farmleigh gets ready to welcome the Kennys". Irish Sunday Mirror . Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2017 via The Free Library.
  8. 1 2 "Steward's Lodge - A home fit for a Taoiseach". RTÉ News. 5 December 2019. Archived from the original on 12 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  9. Ryan, Philip (23 February 2019). "Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's home targeted by protesters for second week in a row". Irish Independent . Archived from the original on 3 August 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  10. "Varadkar complied with Covid guidelines in Phoenix Park, says spokesperson". RTÉ News. 25 May 2020. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020. According to the statement, the Taoiseach has been staying in Steward's Lodge during the last few weeks as it has secure office and video conferencing facilities, which allows him to work from home
  11. "Will the Taoiseach move house for the security of his family?". Newstalk. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.