Áras an Uachtaráin
The ‘President’s Residence’ is pronounced ‘aw-rahs on ook-tar-awn’ in Irish, and has a colourful history. The original house was built in 1751 by park ranger and amateur architect Nathaniel Clements, and only began housing the President of Ireland in 1938, a year after the role of President was established.
If the neoclassical design, angled three-point portico, stoic Greek columns and white-washed walls look a little familiar, that may be because the Áras is said to have inspired Irish-born architect James Hoban in his design for the White House in the United States.
The Áras is open to the public every Saturday, and if you’re lucky, you may catch sight of President Michael D Higgins walking his Bernese mountain dogs, Bród (Bro-d) and Síoda (she-a-da).