Limerick Courthouse Explained

Limerick Courthouse
Address:Limerick, County Limerick
Location Country:Ireland
Map Type:Ireland
Map Dot Label:Limerick Courthouse
Coordinates:52.6677°N -8.625°W
Completion Date:1814
Architect:Nicholas and William Hannan
Architectural Style:Neoclassical style

Limerick Courthouse is a judicial facility at Merchant's Quay, Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland.

History

The courthouse, which was designed by Nicholas and William Hannan in the neoclassical style and built in ashlar stone, was completed in 1814.[1] [2] It was altered by James Pain in 1820.[1] The design involved a symmetrical main frontage facing St Mary's Cathedral; there was a tetrastyle portico with Tuscan order columns supporting an entablature and a pediment.[1]

The building was originally used as a facility for dispensing justice but, following the implementation of the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, which established county councils in every county, it also became the meeting place for Limerick County Council.[3] The county council moved to the County Buildings in O'Connell Street in 1911.[3] [4] After a modern courthouse facility was opened in Mulgrave Street in March 2018 to deal with Criminal and District Court matters,[5] the old courthouse at Merchant's Quay remains in use for Circuit Civil and High Court matters.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: County Courthouse, Limerick City. Buildings of Ireland. 21 November 2019.
  2. Web site: 1814 – Courthouse, Limerick. Archiseek. 21 November 2019.
  3. Web site: Limerick County Council Buildings. Limerick City and County Council. 21 November 2019.
  4. Web site: Local Authorities. 26 May 1982. Oireachtas. 26 October 2019.
  5. Web site: A look at Limerick's new multi-million courthouse. 10 March 2018. The Journal. 21 November 2019.
  6. Web site: Limerick Council spends €75,000 on furniture for ex-courtroom. Limerick Leader. 21 November 2019.