Kilkenny Courthouse Explained

Kilkenny Courthouse
Native Name:Teach Cúirt Chill Chainnigh
Address:Kilkenny, County Kilkenny
Location Country:Ireland
Map Type:Ireland
Map Dot Label:Kilkenny Courthouse
Coordinates:52.6542°N -7.254°W
Completion Date:1792
Architect:Sir Jerome Fitzpatrick
Architectural Style:Neoclassical style

Kilkenny Courthouse, also known as Grace's Castle, is a judicial facility in Parliament Street, Kilkenny, County Kilkenny, Ireland.[1]

History

The site was previously occupied by Grace's Castle, a structure dating back to the 13th century.[2] It was used as a prison from 1566 and some of the features of these aspects of the earlier building still survive at basement level.[3] The current building, which was designed by Sir Jerome Fitzpatrick in the neoclassical style and built in ashlar stone, was completed in 1792.[2] The design involved a symmetrical main frontage facing Parliament Street; it was arcaded on the ground floor with flights of steps leading up to the end bays; the central section featured a tetrastyle portico on the first floor with Doric order columns supporting an entablature and a modillioned pediment.[2]

The building was originally designed as a judicial facility, but following the implementation of the Local Government (Dublin) Act 1993, it also became the meeting place of Kilkenny County Council.[4] By the second half of the 20th century the county council had moved to new offices at John's Green House.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kilkenny Courthouse on DoChara.
  2. Web site: Kilkenny City Courthouse, Gardens, County Kilkenny. . Buildings of Ireland. 3 November 2019.
  3. Web site: Kilkenny: A Strategic Tourism Development and Implementation Plan for the City . 51. 1 August 2012. Museum Insider. 3 November 2019.
  4. Web site: About Us. Kilkenny County Council. 3 November 2019.
  5. Web site: Local Authorities. 26 May 1982. Oireachtas. 26 October 2019.