Carlow Court House – A Magnificent Vista
Without doubt Carlow Court House is one of the most impressive and imposing public buildings. It is an excellent example of Greek revialist architecture, which was designed, in the late 1820s by noted architect Willam Morrison. The Court House is sited on a former quarry, which accounts for much of the drop in height in this area, particularly to the Court House rear and in the Greenbank Carpark areas.
The imposing and impressive Carlow Courthouse. Photo Carlow County Museum.
The Grand Jury, who were responsible for local administration and justice had previously met in Deighton Hall, which is located on Burrin Street. They along with Dr. Doyle, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin had completed for this site. Dr. Doyle had wanted to build the Cathedral here. It was a good location as it was at the junction of the Athy and Dublin Roads and provided an area in which a large building would form an imposing and impresive view.
On the way to the market. Photo Carlow County Museum, ccm 02-1079.
There are two large polygonal court rooms contained within the impressive granite decagonal building. The court rooms are roofed by two half domes, not one as it may appear. This was to facilitate the entering of natural light into the building, as the provision of electricity was still some eighty years away. The rear of the building contains what are now the offices of the court services but then the offices of the Grand Jury. The building is constructed on top of a wide podium under which the cells were located.
The portico is composed of ten imposing Ilissus (Temple in Athens) style ionic columns in front of which large flight of steps leads to the street level. The Roman world is symbolised by the iron railings, which are in the form of Roman pike heads and symbolise justice. The building is said to have cost £30,000 to construct.
The impressive Courthouse Portico. Photo Carlow County Museum, ccm 02-1001.
The Court House is still operational and is operated by the Court Sercices under the Department of Justice. The building holds civil proceedings, family law cases as well as the District and Circuit Courts.
View from inside the railings. Photo Carlow County Museum, ccm 02-1031.
Outside on the podium is a canon which was purchased by the Town Commissioners in the late 1850s. The cannon was used by the Russians during the Crimean War and after the many bloody battles that ensued during that war captured and disused equipment was sold in order to raise funds to look after the wounded soldiers.
The Crimean Cannon standing of the Courthouse podium. Photo Carlow County Museum.
The Courthouse is used as a location for large public occasions. In 1929 it was used to celebrate the 100th anniversary for the granting of Catholic Emancipation.
Photo Carlow County Museum, ccm 80-025
|