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Staunton's on the Green began its life in 1750. It was a terrace
of three separate family homes at 82, 83, and 84 St. Stephen's
Green. Number 84 was once home to Henry Grattan (1746-1820),
who was a member of the Irish House of Commons and a campaigner
for legislative freedom for the Irish Parliament in the late
18th century. He opposed the Act of Union 1800 that merged the
Kingdoms of Ireland and Great Britain. The National University
of Ireland obtained the property and used it as a Dean's Residence
and to house archives. Doors opened to students in 1854 with
John Henry Newman as the founding Rector. The poet and Jesuit
Gerard Manley Hopkins taught here from 1884 until his death
in 1889. It's said he penned some of his famous sonnets while
residing here. Lord Ardilaun, Arthur Guinness, lived next door
in Iveagh House in the late 18th century. He is responsible
for draining the marshland in front of the terrace and created
what became known as a "common," a private garden
for those families living around the Green. High iron fencing
was installed to keep out the riffraff and each house had a
key for one of the gates into the park. Today the park is known
as St. Stephen's Green. It's set on 22-acres and contains an
ornamental lake, broadleaf trees that were originally planted
in Ardilaun's time, planting beds, and many sculptures, including
that of Lord Ardilaun who gifted the park to the people of Ireland
on his death, as well as the Iveagh Gardens, which are at the
back of Staunton's. During the 1916 Uprising, volunteers took
up position around the park, led my the infamous Countess Markiewicz,
who was the first woman elected to the British House of Commons.
The property was acquired in 1992 by the Staunton family who
lovingly and thoughtfully restore the three residences, paying
careful attention to retaining the Georgian architectural beauty.
Bedrooms still retain the original marble fireplaces and plaster
ceilings. The hotel has recently been extended and further restoration
has taken place, to include all en-suite bedrooms. Each room
includes coffee/tea making facilities, phone, TV, trouser press
and hairdryer. Iron and board available on request, as is laundry
service.
Staunton's is ideally located within walking distance from
the National Museum at Kildare Street, National Gallery, National
Library, Museum of Natural History, Grafton Street, St. Stephen's
Street Shopping Centre, LUAS stop and Trinity College. Also
within easy walk of Temple Bar, O'Connell Street and Pearse
Street DART Station. Just off the N11 route south.
A stay in Staunton's is more than just a stay in a city center
hotel. It's experiencing part of Ireland's history.
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