The Royal Hospital Kilmainham is a 17th century building modelled on Les Invalides in Paris. It was erected between 1680 and 1684 by charter of King Charles II as a home for old, sick and disabled soldiers.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) had the building restored completely between 1980 and 1984. So magnificent was the restoration that it received a Europa Nostra Award in 1986. Europa Nostra is the International Federation of Associations for the Protection of Europe's Cultural and Natural Heritage.