Ratra House (Irish: Teach Ráth an tSratha), sometimes called Little Ratra, is one of the minor state residences located in Dublin's Phoenix Park. Until 2006 it was used as the Civil Defence School. The building, which dates from the early 19th century, was originally known as the Little Lodge. From 1876, it became the official residence of the Private Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who lived out of season in the next door Viceregal Lodge. Its first resident in this capacity was Lord Randolph Churchill, who was appointed as Private Secretary by the then Lord Lieutenant, his father John Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough. Churchill lived there with his wife Lady Randolph Churchill and his young son Winston Churchill. Winston Churchill in his writings described his four