Dublin's Mansion House is the only mayoral residence in Ireland and is older than any such surviving residence in Great Britain. Originally the town house of merchant and property developer Joshua Dawson, Mansion House was purchased by the Dublin City Assembly in April 1715 and since then has been the home of each lord mayor during their term of office.

This book is the first major work on the Mansion House and includes essays on its history, architecture, and antique furnishings, along with an account of one year in the residence, which gives a vivid picture of how the building is used.