Viceregal throne (Ireland)

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President Robinson, sitting on the former Viceregal throne, signs her Declaration of Office in 1990.

The Viceregal throne is the former throne of the Viceroy of Ireland (the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland). A set of thrones, one for the Viceroy and one for his wife, the Vicereine, were used on state occasions in Dublin Castle. The set were photographed on a dias in St. Patrick's Hall in an image in the Lawrence Collection, now owned by the National Library of Ireland.

In 1938 the throne, minus the crown which used to decorate its top, and with the Irish coat of arms stitched into the fabric on the chair, was used in the inauguration of Douglas Hyde as President of Ireland. The former viceregal throne has been used in all Irish presidential inaugurations on the dias during the ceremony in St. Patrick's Hall in Dublin Castle.

Along with the historic presidential black Rolls-Royce, which is used to transport presidents-elect to all presidential inaugurations since 1952, and the presidential residence, Áras an Uachtaráin; the viceregal throne is one of the three most recognisable symbols of the otherwise low key presidency of Ireland. The Blue Hussars Mounted Escort, a once recognisable symbol of the presidency, was abolished in 1948 and replaced by a motorcycle escort.

Presidents of Ireland Uachtaráin na hÉireann
Douglas Hyde • Seán T. O'Kelly • Éamon de Valera • Erskine H. Childers • Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh • Patrick Hillery • Mary Robinson • Mary McAleese