The Old Courthouse Thursday 28th November 2024 7:30pm
Tickets available at the Rathcoole Community Centre.
Christmas Winter Concert
Culture Night at The Old Courthouse, 20th September 2024
TWO PATHS MEET
A celebration of free Irish and Ukrainian culture events and performances
for Culture Night, Friday 20 September 2-10pm
The Old Courthouse, Rathcoole
Join us on Culture Night – Friday, 20th September – for a vibrant celebration of Irish and Ukrainian culture at Rathcoole’s The Old Courthouse, hosted by South Dublin County Council’s Arts Office, and produced by Sofft Productions, as part of this year’s South Dublin Live programme! This free event, starting at 2 pm, offers a fantastic opportunity to celebrate both cultures through art, music, poetry, and dance.
Audiences will be treated to a rich programme that explores the folk traditions of Ireland and Ukraine, including a special musical collaboration between two internationally celebrated artists – Ukraine’s first ever female conductor Victoria Zhadko, and renowned Irish musician Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh (The Gloaming, This is How We Fly) at 9 pm. Explore an exhibition by Ukrainian artist Alla Shmyhovska, showcasing her beautiful folk dolls that are an iconic representation of Ukraine’s cultural heritage. Get moving with a Sean Nós Dancing workshop led by the talented Rónán Regan, and enjoy poetry and songs shared by Ukrainian poet Halyna Budilova.
Culture Night in The Old Courthouse also features live performances of traditional Irish music led by local musician Tom Moran and his group, who are mainstays of traditional Irish music in South Dublin County.
Events are free, though booking is recommended
PROGRAMME of EVENTS
2pm
OPEN HOUSE WITH LIVE MUSIC
2:30-3.30pm
UKRAINIAN DOLL PAINTING WORKSHOP WITH ALLA SHMYHOVSKA
This interactive session offers participants the chance to learn the traditional art of Ukrainian doll painting.
More information and booking HERE
4-4.45PM
UKRAINIAN POETRY READING WITH HALYNA BUDILOVA
Immerse yourself in the evocative world of Ukrainian poetry with a reading by the talented Halyna Budilova.
More information and booking HERE
5-5.45PM
TRADITIONAL SEAN NÓS DANCE WORKSHOP WITH RÓNÁN REGAN
Step into the rhythm of Irelands rich dance heritage with a Sean Nós Dance Workshop led by the renowned Rónán Regan.
More information and booking HERE
6-6.45PM
UKRAINIAN FOLK INSTRUMENT PERFORMANCE WITH KSENIYA RUSNAK
Experience the enchanting sounds of Ukrainian folk instruments in this hands-on workshop led by Kseniya Rusnak.
More information and booking HERE
8-8.50PM
TOM MORAN AND FRIENDS
This performance promises to be a lively celebration of Ireland’s musical heritage, featuring a selection of well-loved tunes and songs.
More information and booking HERE
9-10PM
VICTORIA ZHADKO & CAOIMHÍN Ó RAGHALLAIGH IN CONCERT
A mesmerising evening as two exceptional musicians, Victoria Zhadko and Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, come together for a unique cross-cultural concert.
More information and booking HERE
Myles Dungan on his book “Land Is All That Matters”
Last week at Rathcooles Old Courthouse, we had a sold-out talk by renowned historian and broadcaster Myles Dungan on his book “Land Is All That Matters”. The event, organised and hosted by South Dublin Libraries as part of The Red Line Book Festival, was both fascinating and engaging. Dungan took us on a journey through 200 years of agrarian conflict, from the devastating famine of 1741 to the brink of World War II, illustrating how the struggle over land shaped the development of Irish society over the past two centuries.
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
Musicians – Iggy Keane, Ita Keane, Tom Moran & Tim Farrelly
Official Opening
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
On May 24 and 25th
The Exhibition on the 24th and 25th will showcase the work of local artists and photographers opening time 12pm. – 5pm.
Music during the opening will be by Ita Kane noted tradition Irish fiddle player.
May 1st 2024
7.30 pm
RAMS male choir, Bealtaine Celebration.