Residence of the US Ambassador to Ireland

The US Ambassador’s Residence was built in 1776 for Sir John Blaquiere, the Chief Secretary for Ireland. Between 1776 and 1922, 69 Chief Secretaries resided here before Ireland gained its independence. After 1922 the USA was quick to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the new Irish Free State and was offered this building as a residence for its Ambassador. It was appropriately coincidental that this building was built in 1776, the same year that The United States declared its own Independence. This incredible property has many rooms including a ballroom, a library, 62 acres of lawn, orchards, 3 cottages, and a gate lodge. In the 1970s the building was given the name Deerfield by the wife of the then-United States ambassador on account of the number of deer who roam in the open parkland around the mansion. Presidents John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton all stayed here during their Irish visits. It has been periodically suggested that the building should become the residence of the Taoiseach.