Built 1865 for the Dublin International Exhibition of Arts and Manufactures. 1908 converted into a university building. In the 1960s part of the building were converted into a concert hall, the rest was still used by the university. Concert hall opened 9 September 1981. Major rebuilding and refurbishment planned after 2005 when the university relocated from the building. Home to the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra.

The building contains several halls:

• Main Auditorium. 1200 seats. 1991 addition of a concert organ. Used for symphony concerts and opera performances.
• John Field Room. 250 seats. Used for chamber music concerts and recitals. Named in honour of the Irish composer, John Field (1782-1837).
• Kevin Barry Recital Room. 150 seats. Used for chamber music concerts and recitals. Opened 11 April 2016. Named in honour of Kevin Barry (1902-1920), a student and IRA volunteer executed by the British during the Irish War of Independence. The Recital Room occupies the site of parliament sittings of the Dáil Éireann in 1921.
• Carolan Room. 100 seats. Used for talks, lectures and other events. Named in honour of the Irish harper and composer, Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738).

Links: www.nch.ie, Wikipedia