All posts by Jade McCormack

Rathcoole Old Courthouse: First Exhibition Unveiled After Offical Opening!

The exhibition featured work by local artists and photographers:

Fine Art by Leo Clancy, Sean Curran, Pat Donnelly, Sylvia Linehan, Boguslawa Marczakiewicz & Sally Ryan Graver

Photography (Rathcoole Camera Club): Ian Campbell, Roisin Gavin, Stephen Lyons, Katie Macintyre, Emmet O’Neill, Sally Ryan Graver, Stephen Storey Jones & Katie Jane Darcy.

We share our gratitude to everyone who showcased their work at the first exhibition to be held in the newly renovated Old Courthouse, Rathcoole. This event provided a platform to highlight the talents of local artists and photographers, as well as to introduce the Old Courthouse as a premier exhibition space. Feedback from over 300 visitors across the two-day event was overwhelmingly positive, praising both the exquisite renovation of the building and the impressive artwork and photography on display. The show was organized and curated by Sally Graver and Dwayne Fairman.

Sally Graver, Arts Director, OCR May 2024

Display of Art in exhibit – captured by Sally Ryan Graver

History

History Booklet

By 1912, Dublin County was under Irish Nationalist influence, allowing for social improvements funded by the American Carnegie Trust. Local lobbying led to the approval of a new courthouse, also serving as a town hall, designed by William Cullen and completed in 1914. Initially used for minor offences and community events, the building was converted into a library in 1925, becoming a vibrant community hub until its closure around 1970. The Courthouse continued to serve as a community center, housing the Rathcoole Players and the Rathcoole Residents’ Association, later known as the Saggart and Rathcoole Community Council. Despite deterioration over time, it remained a key part of community life. The building's recent restoration aims to preserve its historical significance and community role. For more details, see "A History of Saggart and Rathcoole Parishes" by Maeve Mulryan Maloney.

Please click on the image below to understand the history of the Old Courthouse!

Rathcoole Court Of Petty Sessions

The former Court of Petty Sessions at Rathcoole county Dublin is a fine Edwardian Arts and Crafts building which was built and opened in 1914 on the south side of Main Street, Rathcoole village.

The Arts and Crafts style, derived from English traditions, was being applied to Irish public buildings in the early twentieth century, including post offices,
village halls, Carnegie libraries and banks of small towns and villages.
The architect was William Collen, Dublin County Surveyor (circa 1860 – 1932).

Now and before

Rathcoole Court Of Petty Sessions

The former Court of Petty Sessions at Rathcoole county Dublin is a fine Edwardian Arts and Crafts building which was built and opened in 1914 on the south side of Main Street, Rathcoole village.

The Arts and Crafts style, derived from English traditions, was being applied to Irish public buildings in the early twentieth century, including post offices,
village halls, Carnegie libraries and banks of small towns and villages.
The architect was William Collen, Dublin County Surveyor (circa 1860 – 1932).

Now and before
(Hover over the photo to see the difference)

 

The building was used as a courthouse for only a few years until 1925, was used intermittently in the following decades as a library and community-uses and lay vacant and unused for extended periods in between.

As the owner of the building, South Dublin Co. Co. did conservation work to safeguard the building during 2013. In 2020 , SDCC. with its partners in the local community of Rathcoole
and supported by Department of Rural and Community Developmentunder Towns & Villages grant funding, completed a sensitive architectural conservation + adaptive reuse project within an Architectural Conservation Area, promoting sustainable development and community engagement.

The Original Deeds, dated 1913 (see below), show Dublin County purchased the land for the courthouse from the Mary Mercer Trust for twenty five pounds, and as the land was part of a garden on the house beside it leased to Edward Senior, he was given five pounds as compensation for loss of use.

Official Opening – Copy

Official Opening
"The Old Courthouse"

24th May 2024, 11:30am

Event program

  • Board (Chairperson) welcome speech.
  • Minister speech
  • Mayor final speech
Classical musician and poetry readings will be held after speeches on the official opening day.
Sandwich & refreshments will be available on the day of the 24th
Music during the opening will be by Ita Kane noted traditional Irish fiddle player. 

On May 25th & 26th 2024

Discover the exquisite work of 13 local artists at our two-day event!

May 25th & 26th, from 12–5 pm

Don’t miss this chance to immerse yourself in creativity and culture, through photography and fine art!

Past Events  

May 1st 2024
7.30 pm 

    RAMS  male choir, Bealtaine Celebration.     

May 7th 2024
7.00 pm

The Rathcoole Bells performance 
Musicians – Iggy Keane, Ita Keane, Tom Moran & Tim Farrelly