The Casino Marino can be quite the misnomer because this site has nothing to do with frivolous betting and risky gambles. The Casino in fact stands for “The Small House”, an extension and jeweled feature of the garden demesne constructed around the now-demolished Marino House. The outpost is a timestamp from the 18th Century and of critical importance in Ireland’s architectural history. The thick pillars of stone frame the layers of white forming the exterior walls of the miniature palace, its four corners guarded by stone lions reflecting an air of restraint in their unmoving eyes. Sir William Chambers, the chief architect of the compound, masterminded each curve and addition.

A guided tour will bring you through each of the 16 rooms arranged within the compact building, embellished with ornamental columns and false ceilings molded into flourishing curls in plaster. Ribbed cupolas and paintings chosen to suit the masterful tastes of the demesne’s late owner, James Caulfield, lend the corridors a refined elegance. Occasionally, these rooms house exhibitions of art and historical collections which embody the passion of Caulfield, temporary installations of memorabilia and collations of worldviews on a common theme. Though it might be the last remaining bastion of a paradise constructed by man, the Casino Marino is not to be understated for the value it still holds in the world of art and architecture.