Roscommon Courthouse

File:Roscommon Courthouse.jpeg

The courthouse, which was designed by Sir Richard Morrison in the neoclassical style and built in ashlar stone, was completed in 1832.{{cite web|url=https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/31817027/roscommon-court-house-abbey-street-ardnanagh-roscommon-county-roscommon|title= Roscommon Court House, Abbey Street, Ardnanagh, Roscommon, Roscommon|publisher= Buildings of Ireland|access-date=21 January 2021}} It 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.roscommonpeople.ie/news/48-news/roscommon-courthouse-a-proud-history|title=Roscommon Courthouse: A Proud History|publisher=Roscommon People|date=25 August 2016|access-date=26 October 2019}} 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.{{cite news|title=Destructive Fire in Roscommon|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=15 June 1882|page=5}}{{cite news|title=Roscommon Courthouse: A Proud History|newspaper=Roscommon People|date=26 August 2016|pages=20-21|url=https://issuu.com/roscommonpeople/docs/2016.08.26}}

The courthouse was restored under the architectural guidance of Christopher Mulvany in 1883.{{cite web|url=https://www.dia.ie/works/view/57520/building/CO.+ROSCOMMON,+ROSCOMMON,+COURTHOUSE+SQUARE,+COUNTY+COURT+HOUSE|title=Roscommon Courthouse|publisher=Dictionary of Irish Architects|access-date=14 November 2019}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1982-05-26/121/|title=Local Authorities|date=26 May 1982|publisher=Oireachtas|access-date=26 October 2019}} The county council moved to Áras an Chontae in December 2015, leaving the courthouse for the sole use of Roscommon Circuit and District Courts.{{cite web|url=https://www.shannonside.ie/news/local/roscommon/roscommon-council-agrees-sell-historic-courthouse/|title=Roscommon council agrees to sell historic courthouse|publisher=Shannonside|date=12 October 2017|access-date=26 October 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.roscommoncoco.ie/en/About_Us/ |title=About your Council |publisher= Roscommon County Council|access-date=21 January 2021}}

In December 2022, due to the dilapidated condition of the courthouse, the sittings of Roscommon Circuit and District Courts were moved to a temporary facility in the former Fairyland dance hall on the Racecourse Road. The Courts Service has indicated its intention to refurbish the courthouse when funding becomes available.{{Cite web|url=https://roscommonherald.ie/2022/11/23/date-confirmed-for-first-court-sitting-at-temporary-courthouse/|title=Date confirmed for first court sitting at temporary courthouse|date=23 November 2022|website=Roscommon Herald}}{{Cite web|url=https://roscommonherald.ie/2022/12/20/first-sitting-of-roscommon-court-in-new-location-to-get-underway/|title=First sitting of Roscommon court in new location to get underway|date=20 December 2022|website=Roscommon Herald}} As of March 2025, refurbishment works have still not commenced.{{Cite web|url=https://www.roscommonherald.ie/news/judge-reiterates-need-for-second-courtroom-at-roscommon-courthouse_arid-48405.html|title=Judge reiterates need for second courtroom at Roscommon courthouse|date=6 March 2025|website=roscommonherald.ie}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.shannonside.ie/news/listen-long-awaited-work-on-roscommon-courthouse-must-start-scahill-259288|title=Long-awaited work on Roscommon Courthouse must start - Scahill|website=Shannonside.ie}}

File:Roscommon Courthouse - 2024-12-27 02.jpg

The design involves a symmetrical main frontage with five bays facing Abbey Street; the central section of three bays, which slightly projects forward, features a short flight of steps leading up to a hexastyle portico with Doric order columns supporting an entablature and a frieze.{{cite web|url=https://www.roscommonpeople.ie/roscommon-courthouse-a-proud-history-2/|title=Roscommon Courthouse: A Proud History|access-date=21 January 2021}}{{cite web|url=http://www.roscommontownheritage.com/history-and-heritage/14/roscommon-courthouse.php|title=Roscommon Courthouse|publisher=Roscommon Town Heritage|access-date=21 January 2021}} There are three sash windows on the first floor and a cornice and a cupola at roof level.

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.

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.roscommontownheritage.com/gallery-photos.php?c=1&c2=10 |title=Gallery: Roscommon Court House|publisher=Roscommon Town Heritage|access-date=21 January 2021}}

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Category:Buildings and structures in County Roscommon

Category:Courthouses in the Republic of Ireland