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The Four Courts

The main court system of the Irish Republic is held in the Four Courts. The Supreme Court, High Court and Central Criminal Court are all located here. On the site of a 13th century Dominican monastery, it was also the site of the King's Inn before the present building was put in place. It was built in 1796 until 1802 by architect James Gordon, who also built Dublin’s Custom House. The building formerly housed the four courts of Chancery, King's Bench, Exchequer, and Common Pleas, hence the name of the building. In the late nineteenth century a major alteration in the legal structure saw these courts replaced, however the building retained its historic name. The new system remained until 1924 when the new Irish Free State introduced a new courts structure, one that still remains today.

A Troubed Past

The Four Courts has seen plenty of trouble in the past and was actually a victim of the troubles in 1916 (During the Easter Rising) and in April of 1922 when, it was occupied by Republican forces. However, through refurbishment and rebuilding the Four Courts was back and up and running by 1932. On the exterior of the building, the façade shows bullet holes, which were deliberately left as a reminder of the buildings troubled and complex history.

The Architecture

A feature of Dublin City’s skyline has been the Dome, which covers the courts. Before the Euro was introduced, the dome actually appeared on the Irish currency (£20 note). Inside the building you have the Round Hall, which has been described as the ‘physical and spiritual centre’ of the building. The round hall is where barristers, solicitor's law clerks, clients and court staff gather to gather and merge before and after trials. Before the troubles in the 1922 the hall’s interior décor was much more intricate. Statues of Irish Judges and Lawyers stood in the niches and the floor was flagged in stone and the dome was enriched with the work of a sculptor by the name of Edward Smyth.

Visitor Information

The Four Courts of Dublin is definitely one of the most powerful looking buildings in the city. Located on Inns Quay it is fairly central to get to and not far from the city centre. Visitors are allowed to enter the buildings although there are many restricted areas. Commonly seen are barristers in their traditional outfits discussing matters of the courts and also members of the Gardaí waiting to escort their accused to court.  

Map of Dublin Four Courts

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