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The doors of the Victorian-style Belgian residence are open (© FPS Foreign affairs).
During Open House Dublin in October 2023, the residence of the Belgian Ambassador threw open its doors. Some 200 curious Irish people learned about the beautiful hidden gem, and at the same time they learned more about Belgium.
Every year, Open Monument Day in Belgium is a day to look forward to. Because then you can fully indulge in the discovery of unknown gems, fancy buildings you normally never get to see. Did you know that something similar exists in Ireland, or at least in the capital city of Dublin? During Open House Dublin, you can explore more than 100 buildings.
Unknown gem
The residence of the Belgian ambassador in Dublin can now undoubtedly be counted among the unknown gems. Unknown because such a residence – the home of the Ambassador and his or her family – is not normally open to the public. It is opened only to visitors invited by the Ambassador for formal and informal meetings, such as a reception or conference.
Definitely a gem too, as the elegant Victorian-style building dates back to 1881. Fun fact: once owned by John Boyd Dunlop and his son, the famous inventor of the rubber tyre that still keeps our bicycles and cars running today.
The building – originally a semi-detached house – is located on the prestigious Ailesbury Road, where the booming middle class in the 19th century commissioned some fine Victorian homes. Very typical are the basement floors, which were built high above ground level. A stately staircase leads to the upper front door. The spacious basement floors not only provided more pleasant living conditions for the house staff, they also made the residence much more impressive.
Also interesting to know: Ailesbury Road, along with its neighbour Shrewsbury Road, is among the most expensive 'blue' streets on the Irish Monopoly game board! Similar to Antwerp's Meir and Brussels' Rue Neuve.

Ambassador Karen Van Vlierberge explains the ins and outs of a residency (© FPS Foreign affairs).
Garden with carriage house
The Belgian government bought one house of the semi in the 1950s, while the other followed in 1967. Both houses – originally built for Scottish inventor Dunlop – were then unified. As a result, the current residence now has a spacious multi-purpose reception room that can be used for dinners and drinks, as well as for conferences. There is also a cosy living room that welcomes guests in a more intimate setting.
Not to mention, the residence also boasts a beautiful garden with a still relatively intact carriage house with stables – unique in Dublin. That garden – a botanical gem with centuries-old trees, fruit trees and ornamental plants – is the place of choice for all kinds of events, such as the traditional reception for the National Holiday or to support our Red Devils.
Belgian chocolate as a souvenir
During Open House Dublin in October 2023, the Belgian residence could be visited by the general public for the third time. It was the only residence that threw open its doors besides that of the US. Some 200 curious people – including local residents – found their way to the beautiful property. There, they were shown around by local Belgian architect Bram D'hoedt and volunteers from the Irish Architecture Foundation.
It was also an ideal opportunity for Belgian Ambassador, Karen Van Vlierberge, to explain the function and use of the residence both as a work environment and as a home. She also reflected upon the unique relationship between Belgium and Ireland. At the end of the tour, visitors received a bag of Belgian chocolates as a souvenir.
Open Monument Day was an excellent opportunity to make Belgium better known to the Irish. The successful initiative is certainly worth emulating, given the many unique properties and architectural gems that Belgium possesses in all five continents.
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