Limerick Courthouse
{{short description|Courthouse in Limerick, Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Use Irish English|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Limerick Courthouse
| native_name =
| image = Merchants Quay (geograph 6058895).jpg
| caption = Limerick Courthouse
| address = Limerick, County Limerick
| location_city =
| location_country = Ireland
| map_type = Ireland
| map_dot_label = Limerick Courthouse
| coordinates = {{coord|52.6677|-8.6250|display=inline,title}}
| 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/21513060/county-courthouse-limerick-city|title=County Courthouse, Limerick City|publisher=Buildings of Ireland|accessdate=21 November 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://archiseek.com/2009/1810-courthouse-limerick/|title=1814 – Courthouse, Limerick|publisher=Archiseek|accessdate=21 November 2019}} It was altered by James Pain in 1820. 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.
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.limerickcity.ie/media/architecture,%20georgian%20035.pdf|title=Limerick County Council Buildings|publisher=Limerick City and County Council|accessdate=21 November 2019}} The county council moved to the County Buildings in O'Connell Street in 1911.{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1982-05-26/121/|title=Local Authorities|date=26 May 1982|publisher=Oireachtas|accessdate=26 October 2019}} After a modern courthouse facility was opened in Mulgrave Street in March 2018 to deal with Criminal and District Court matters,{{cite web|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/new-waterford-courthouse-3950259-Apr2018/|title=A look at Limerick's new multi-million courthouse|date=10 March 2018|publisher=The Journal|accessdate=21 November 2019}} the old courthouse at Merchant's Quay remains in use for Circuit Civil and High Court matters.{{cite web|url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/376259/limerick-council-spends-75-000on-furniture-for-ex-courtroom.html|title=Limerick Council spends €75,000 on furniture for ex-courtroom|publisher=Limerick Leader|accessdate=21 November 2019}}