Interior of North Block.
The Vestibule.
The vestibule or entrance hall between the chapel and the great hall is octagonal in plan, the stone floor between the north and south doors being at ground level. The entrances to the chapel and the hall in the east and west walls respectively are approached by a flight of ten stone steps that fill the whole space between the canted sides. An entablature of the Doric order surrounds the octagon at a considerable height, supported by pilasters at the angles, each having two vertical faces parallel with the walls. Between the triglyphs of the frieze are carvings representing military emblems alternating with I.R. surmounted by a crown and surrounded by foliage. The ceiling is an eight-sided dome with its centre open to the cupola above, and its curved angles are marked by bands formed of a series of recessed panels in the form of ribs. The vestibule is lighted by a large south window over the doorway in addition to the upper lantern. The oak doors to the chapel and hall are of two leaves, each of five panels, fielded and moulded. The doorways have wide moulded architraves and a plain pedimental doorhead carried on carved consoles. In the canted sides of the octagon are smaller doors of two panels set within a square plastered framework, and leading to stairs or cupboards in the angles. The walls are hung with flags (described on pp. 32–33), and over the hall door is a fine achievement of the royal (Stuart) arms, brought from the sister hospital of Kilmainham. A slight iron handrail leads up to the steps to the doors, and on either side are modern busts on pedestals of oak. Over the smaller doorways are fixed four iron cressets.
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