page_title: Áras an Uachtaráin
section_title: Residence of the president
hierarchical_section_title: Áras an Uachtaráin / Residence of the president
caption_attribution_description: English: The President of Ireland welcomes the American President to her official residence, Áras an Uachtaráin, in Dublin, on 23 May 2011. Left to right on the red carpet: United States Ambassador to Ireland, Dan Rooney; his wife, Patricia Rooney; United States President Barack Obama; Irish President Mary McAleese; her husband Dr. Martin McAleese; and United States First Lady Michelle Obama.
context_page_description: 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, which has ninety-five rooms, was designed by Nathaniel Clements and completed in 1751.
context_section_description: The house was left empty until 1938, when the first president of Ireland, Douglas Hyde, lived there temporarily while plans were made to build a new presidential palace on the grounds. The outbreak of the Second World War saved the building, which had been renamed Áras an Uachtaráin (meaning house or residence of the president in Irish), from demolition, as plans for its demolition and the design of a new residence were put on hold. By 1945 it had become too closely identified with the presidency of Ireland to be demolished, though its poor condition meant that extensive demolition and rebuilding of parts of the building were necessary, notably the kitchens, servants' quarters and chapel. Since then, further restoration work has been carried out from time to time.
  Hyde lived in the residential quarters on the first floor of the main building. Later presidents moved to the new residential wing attached to the main house that had been built on for the visit of King George V in 1911. However, in 1990 Mary Robinson moved back to the older main building. Her successor, Mary McAleese, lived in the 1911 wing.
  Though Áras an Uachtaráin is possibly not as palatial as other European royal and presidential palaces, with only a handful of state rooms (the state drawing room, large and small dining rooms, the President's Office and Library, a large ballroom and a presidential corridor lined with the busts of past presidents (Francini Corridor), and some fine eighteenth and nineteenth century bedrooms above, all in the main building), it is a relatively comfortable state residence.
  All taoisigh as well as government ministers receive their seal of office from the president at Áras an Uachtaráin as do judges, the attorney general, the comptroller and auditor general, and senior commissioned officers of the Defence Forces. It is also the venue for the meetings of the Presidential Commission and the Council of State.
  Áras an Uachtaráin also houses the headquarters of the Garda Mounted Unit.
  The Office of Public Works completely furnishes the private quarters of Áras an Uachtaráin for the presidential family.
caption: President McAleese greets US President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at Áras an Uachtaráin on 23 May 2011.
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