Stormont Castle
| Stormont Castle | |
| County Down | |
|---|---|
 Stormont Castle, County Down | |
| Location | |
| Location: | 54°36’7"N, 5°49’49"W |
| Village: | Stormont |
| History | |
| Country house | |
| Information | |
Stormont Castle is a mansion on the Stormont Estate in County Down, east of Belfast. The castle is used as the main meeting place of the Northern Ireland Executive.
The house was never a castle as such: the original building was reworked in the nineteenth century in the Scottish baronial style with features such as bartizans used for decorative purposes.
Between 1921 and 1972, Stormont Castle served as the official residence of the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. However, a number of prime ministers chose to live at Stormont House, the official residence of the Speaker of the House of Commons of Northern Ireland, which was empty as speakers had chosen to live in their own homes. It also served as the location of the Cabinet Room of the Government of Northern Ireland from 1921 to 1972.
Before devolution, Stormont Castle it served as the Belfast headquarters of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Office Ministers and supporting officials. During the Troubles, it was also used by officers of MI5.[1]
Outside links
References
- ↑ "UK | Northern Ireland | 'No need' for new MI5 base in NI". BBC News. 2006-10-23. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6078578.stm. Retrieved 2013-06-13.