<P> Gothic cathedrals, such as St Patrick's, were also introduced by the Normans . Franciscans were dominant in directing the abbeys by the Late Middle Ages, while elegant tower houses, such as Bunratty Castle, were built by the Gaelic and Norman aristocracy . Many religious buildings were ruined with the Dissolution of the Monasteries . Following the Restoration, palladianism and rococo, particularly country houses, swept through Ireland under the initiative of Edward Lovett Pearce, with the Houses of Parliament being the most significant . </P> <P> With the erection of buildings such as The Custom House, Four Courts, General Post Office and King's Inns, the neoclassical and Georgian styles flourished, especially in Dublin . Georgian townhouses produced streets of singular distinction, particularly in Dublin, Limerick and Cork . Following Catholic Emancipation, cathedrals and churches influenced by the French Gothic Revival emerged, such as St Colman's and St Finbarre's . Ireland has long been associated with thatched roof cottages, though these are nowadays considered quaint . </P> <P> Beginning with the American designed art deco church at Turner's Cross in 1927, Irish architecture followed the international trend towards modern and sleek building styles since the 20th century . Recent developments include the regeneration of Ballymun and an urban extension of Dublin at Adamstown . Since the establishment of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority in 1997, the Dublin Docklands area underwent large - scale redevelopment, which included the construction of the Convention Centre Dublin and Grand Canal Theatre . Completed in 2008, the Elysian tower in Cork is the tallest storeyed building in the Republic of Ireland (the Obel Tower in Belfast, Northern Ireland being the tallest in Ireland), at a height of 71 metres (233 feet), surpassing Cork County Hall . The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland regulates the practice of architecture in the state . </P> <P> Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) is Ireland's public service broadcaster, funded by a television licence fee and advertising . RTÉ operates two national television channels, RTÉ One and RTÉ Two . The other independent national television channels are TV3, 3e, UTV Ireland and TG4, the latter of which is a public service broadcaster for speakers of the Irish language . All these channels are available on Saorview, the national free - to - air digital terrestrial television service . Additional channels included in the service are RTÉ News Now, RTÉjr, and RTÉ One + 1 . Subscription - based television providers operating in Ireland include Virgin Media and Sky . </P>

Is cork in northern ireland or the republic of ireland