Roscommon Courthouse

Roscommon Courthouse is a judicial facility located on Abbey Street, Roscommon, County Roscommon, Ireland.

Roscommon Courthouse
Roscommon Courthouse
Roscommon Courthouse
Location within Ireland
General information
Architectural styleNeoclassical style
AddressRoscommon, County Roscommon
CountryIreland
Coordinates53.6293°N 8.1936°W / 53.6293; -8.1936
Completed1832
Design and construction
ArchitectSir Richard Morrison

History

The courthouse, which was designed by Sir Richard Morrison in the Neoclassical style, was completed in 1832 and was built beside the new gaol (now the site of Roscommon garda station) to replace the previous courthouse, which is now known as Harrison Hall and which currently houses a branch of the Bank of Ireland.[1] The courthouse was gutted by a major fire on the evening of Wednesday 14 June 1882. The fire was started accidentally when a gas leak was ignited in the courthouse. A half-gale was blowing that evening, and within half an hour the building was in flames. When the roof collapsed in the conflagration, the sparks were carried by the strong winds to the roofs of nearby thatched houses, and the fire continued to spread. All of the thatched houses in the vicinity were quickly destroyed.[2][3]

The courthouse was restored under the architectural guidance of Christopher Mulvany in 1883.[4] 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 Roscommon County Council.[5] The county council moved to Áras an Chontae in December 2015, and the courthouse is now used solely for the business of Roscommon Circuit and District Courts.[6][7]

Architecture

The courthouse is fronted by a series of stone steps leading up to the entrance, and six large stone pillars.[8][9][10]  

There is a mosaic of the Roscommon crest on the floor of the entrance lobby, which is a reminder of Roscommon's former mosaic industry. There is a large portrait of Douglas Hyde, the first president of Ireland, hanging over the main staircase.[8]  

The courthouse was originally built with a tunnel leading to the adjacent gaol, for the easy transfer of prisoners. The gaol has long since closed, been demolished and replaced with Roscommon Garda station. However, the courthouse end of the tunnel remains in place.[11][10][3]

References
  1. "Roscommon Courthouse: A Proud History". Roscommon People. 25 August 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  2. "Destructive Fire in Roscommon". The Irish Times. 15 June 1882. p. 5.
  3. "Roscommon Courthouse: A Proud History". Roscommon People. 26 August 2016. pp. 20–21.
  4. "Roscommon Courthouse". Dictionary of Irish Architects. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  5. "Local Authorities". Oireachtas. 26 May 1982. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  6. "Roscommon council agrees to sell historic courthouse". Shannonside. 12 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  7. "About your Council". Roscommon County Council. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  8. "Roscommon Court House, Abbey Street, ARDNANAGH, Roscommon, ROSCOMMON". Buildings of Ireland. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  9. "Roscommon Courthouse: A Proud History". Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  10. "Roscommon Courthouse". Roscommon Town Heritage. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  11. "Gallery: Roscommon Court House". Roscommon Town Heritage. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
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