The Mansion House was built by developer Joshua Dawson in 1710. He intended it to be his townhouse but Dublin Corporation was looking for an official residence for the Lord Mayor of Dublin and made him an offer for it. On 25th April 1715 Dublin Corporation purchased the House at a cost of £3,500 and agreed to apy a yearly rent to Joshua Dawson of forty shillings and a loaf of double-refined sugar weighing six pounds at Christmas. In return Joshua Dawson agreed to build on an extra room to be used for civic receptions - the Oak Room.
The Mansion House is the oldest Mayoral Residence in Ireland or Britain and it is also the only Mayoral residence in Ireland which is still used for its original purpose. It is the oldest free-standing house in Dublin.
Many famous events have taken place in the Mansion House - most notably the meeting of the first Dáil in the Round Room in 1919 and the cabinet meetings of that Dáil which were held in the Dining Room.
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