Designed by James Gandon and completed in 1802, the Four Courts housed the Irish superior courts and, until 1922, the adjoining Public Record Office. Anti-Treaty forces occupied the building in April 1922; its bombardment by the new Free State army that June marked the opening engagement of the Irish Civil War and destroyed centuries of Irish public records in the resulting fire. The domed façade was fully restored by the 1930s and remains a working courthouse.
| Admission | Free (public gallery; check courts.ie for sitting times) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Courts in session Mon–Fri; public gallery access; exterior always visible |
| Address | Inns Quay, Dublin 7, D07 Ireland |
Why it matters
Its 1922 bombardment by Free State forces marked the start of the Irish Civil War and destroyed the adjoining Public Record Office
Site facts
- Built
- 1786–1802
- Architect
- James Gandon
Weather through the year in Ireland
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Ireland.
Location
Inns Quay, Dublin 7, D07 Ireland
53.3465, -6.2778 View on map
Highlights
- Copper-clad central dome, a Dublin skyline landmark
- Riverside colonnade and Corinthian portico facing the Liffey
- Still in daily use as a working courthouse