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The historic Four Courts building is located on the North bank of the Liffey river in Dublin. It's where sittings of the Irish Supreme Court, High, Circuit & District Courts formerly took place. The building was founded by the Duke of Rutland - Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1786, its construction having begun in 1776. The original
architect Thomas Cooley, who also designed the Royal Exchange Building - now City Hall, died in 1784 before its completion.
James Gandon was appointed as architect to complete the project, and added features including the four courts to the original designs. Rooftop sculptures by Edward Smyth represent Moses, Authority, Justice & Wisdom. The building was completed in 1802.
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At the outbreak of the Irish civil war (June 28, 1922 - May 24, 1923), the Four Courts main building's ornate interior & original copper domed rotunda roof sustained extensive damage. It happened during fighting between the Anti-Treaty & Irish Free State forces when the building was shelled with 18-pounder field guns on June 28th 1922.
Before the Anti-Treaty forces surrendered two days later, an explosion in the building started a fire which destroyed the public records office which contained many irreplaceable documents & historical records. |
 Armed IRA volunteers on Grafton street 1922. |
 Four Courts building & River Liffey Dublin photo. |
 Four Courts columns & Rotunda style roof. |
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War of Independence images - Dublin 1916 & Michael Collins movie location photos. Four Courts building under artilllery fire in 1922 movie newsreel - Battle of the Four Courts. (Irish Film Institute). View slideshow photos featuring vintage Dublin trams in city locations.Scenic Irish posters, popular Ireland travel locations including Kylemore Abbey & Blarney castle. View a photo-guide to historic Dublin landmarks.Irish photo gallery & Ireland posters : main contents. Privacy policy. |
