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Conditions of use of the State Apartments, Dublin Castle

for

Receptions and/or Gala Dinners

 

The State Apartments are among the most prestigious State rooms in the country and dominate the south range of the Great Courtyard in Dublin Castle. They were built as the residential and public quarters of the Viceregal Court and today they are presented to the public and visitors, as well as providing the venue for Ireland's Presidencies of the European Union, Presidential inaugurations and prestigious functions and events.

The State Apartments can be made available for a limited number of appropriate evening dinners and receptions, up to a total of 15 per calendar year. In all cases the end customer company name must be disclosed in order to proceed with any booking enquiry.

Room Capacities:

Dining & reception areas will be allocated in accordance with the following capacities:

The Throne Room: Receptions (only): up to 120 persons.

The Portrait Gallery: up to 99 persons for dining and 200 for receptions.

George's Hall: 90 – 188 persons for dinner and 350 for receptions.

St. Patrick’s Hall: 120 - 202 for dinner and 400 for receptions.

The number of guests permitted for any location is governed by fire, health & safety and security regulations. Maximum numbers stipulated at the operations meeting cannot be exceeded under any circumstances.

Signage:

  • No signs may be attached to doors or walls of the State Apartments. For any breach of this rule the hirer will pay all redecoration costs, which will be at the discretion of Dublin Castle management whose decision is final.

Branding:

  • Branding is only permitted outside the ‘glass doors’ in the State Apartments outer foyer.
  • Branding is not allowed within the State Apartments or the Castle Grounds.
  • No Caterer branding is permitted on napkins, menus or staff uniforms.
  • The end client company’s name and logo is allowed on the inside of menu covers.

Staging, tables & chairs:

  • Stage size must be agreed with the Operations Manager or their representative.
  • Final guest and table numbers, and performer numbers on stage must be communicated to and agreed by Castle Management at least three (3) working days in advance of the function.
  • Round tables only may be used for dining, with a maximum of 12 persons at any one table. Any alternative table layout requests must be approved at operation meeting stage.
  • No ‘last minute’ table layout changes will be undertaken or permitted.
  • Dublin Castle chairs may be covered if required, or alternatively, others may be hired in with the approval of Castle Management.

Decoration:

  • Backdrops must be approved in advance.
  • No additional decoration is permitted.
  • No naked flames are permitted.
  • Floral displays are permitted, excluding ‘Lillies’, which are not permitted (as they can cause permanent staining to fabrics).

Technical equipment:

  • Technical and lighting equipment may not be installed without the approval of the Technical Manager or their representative.

Catering:

  • For operational reasons, the Caterer must be chosen only from the Dublin Castle List of Approved Catering Firms.
  • All cooking must be done on site.
  • Cash or 'voucher' bars are strictly prohibited.
  • Dublin Castle will provide blue underclothes. Round, white, linen or cotton tablecloths must be supplied, fitted and ironed by the caterers. No other colour schemes are permitted without the written permission of Castle Management.
  • Appropriate, quality cutlery and crockery must be provided. Under no circumstances will paper, plastic or other materials be permitted.
  • Fridges must be emptied and all kitchen waste, including wine bottles and cooking oil from the deep fat fryers, must be removed from site immediately following the event.

A copy of certificate of disposal of said oil and other waste should be forwarded to the Duty Manager after each event.

Entertainment:

  • Appropriate music and performer dancing only is permitted. Dancing by guests is not allowed.
  • Appropriate musical entertainment may be allowed in the Upper Castle Yard, but only with the advance approval of Castle Management.
  • Guided tours may only be given by the Dublin Castle Guide Service.

Health and safety:

  • The Balconies may not be used for any purposes other than technical or musicians gallery and only then with the expressed authorisation of Castle Management.
  • Conference organisers and guests must adhere to all instructions of the Castle Duty Manager or their representative.

Set ups, sound checks etc:

  • Sound checks, rehearsals and set ups must be agreed with Castle Management in advance. Public tours will continue during these preliminaries and will not be stopped or interrupted under any circumstance.

Finishing times:

  • Bars should close at 11pm and guests must have fully vacated the premises by 11.30pm. A charge of €250 will apply for each hour (or part thereof) after that time.

 

I, Mr./ Ms. __________________________________________of

 

____________________________________________, Event Organiser(s),

 

agree to abide by the conditions of use of the State Apartments as outlined above.

 

Signed on behalf of ________________________________________________(end client)

 

Signed on behalf of Dublin Castle: Mr. / Ms._________________________________

 

Date:     /    /