Step inside The Banking Hall at The College Green Hotel this Culture Night and discover a remarkable piece of Dublin’s architectural and cultural history.

Originally established in 1813 by the Royal Irish Institution to promote the arts in Ireland through exhibitions of Old Master works, the building was demolished in 1863 and rebuilt in 1866 as the headquarters of the Provincial Bank. Designed by architect William G. Murray, the impressive three-storey, seven-bay building features a grand pediment and imposing columns, reflecting the ambition and elegance of Victorian Dublin. For more than a century, the building served as a working bank. In 1966, it became a branch of the newly formed Allied Irish Bank.

Despite its changing role, the Banking Hall retained many of its original architectural features, including encaustic tiled floors, high ceilings, ornate plasterwork and magnificent marble columns. A major restoration project, beginning in 1999, returned the Banking Hall to much of its former grandeur. Original hand-carved details, decorative plasterwork and encaustic tiles were carefully restored, while the historic bank logo remains visible. One of the most striking features visitors can experience today is the series of four replica crystal chandeliers, each made from more than 8,000 pieces of Waterford Crystal and suspended from the spectacular 15-metre-high ceilings. The restored stained-glass roof adds another layer of colour and character to this extraordinary historic space.