Dublin Castle (Irish: Caisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath) off Dame
Street, Dublin, Republic of Ireland, was until 1922 the seat of
British rule in Ireland, and is now a major Irish government
complex. Most of it dates from the 18th century, though a castle
has stood on the site since the days of King John, the first
Lord of Ireland. The Castle served as the seat of English, then
later British government of Ireland under the Lordship of
Ireland (1171–1541), the Kingdom of Ireland (1541–1800), and the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1800–1922). Upon
establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922, the complex was
ceremonially handed over to the newly formed Provisional
Government led by Michael Collins. Dublin Castle fulfilled a
number of roles through its history. Originally built as a
defensive fortification for the Norman city of Dublin, it later
evolved into a royal residence, resided in by the Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland or Viceroy of Ireland, the representative
of the monarch. The second in command in