Survey Data
Reg No
32012015
Rating
National
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social, Technical
Original Use
Court house
In Use As
Court house
Date
1875 - 1880
Coordinates
169286, 335767
Date Recorded
20/08/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached multi-bay two-storey stone French Gothic style courthouse, built c. 1878. Four-stage octagonal tower with dormered spire to south of symmetrical main block, two-bay three-storey south-east wing, with south-west wing across small courtyard, two-storey north wing. Steep hipped slate roofs set behind parapets, tall stone corbelled chimneystacks, wrought-iron decorative crested ridges, mitred hips to spire, clay hip tiles to other roofs. Squared-and-snecked rubble limestone walls, ashlar sandstone dressings and strings. Main front with triple-pointed arch openings to entrance with six trefoil arched windows to first floor and pair of pointed arch windows at second floor with flanking circular bartizans with conical roofs. South-east wing with square-head window openings with quadrant corners, paired at first and second floors with central colonette at first floor. North-east wing with similar windows at first floor, paired segmental-headed with inset trefoil arches. All window openings with painted one-over-one timber sash windows. Pointed-arch opening to main entrance set behind colonnaded porch, pair of half-glazed varnished oak double doors with glazed fanlight over. Pointed-arch opening to entrance to south-east wing with hood moulding and corbelled flat arch over hardwood panelled door. Wrought-iron gates and railings to south-east wing and main entrance approached by steps. Street fronted entrance hall with two-storey pointed-arch arcades to stone staircases to north and south sides, hammer beam truss roof with full-width glazed lights.
Appraisal
Designed by Rawson Carroll, this very impressive exuberant French Gothic style courthouse is well preserved and remains not only one of the most striking and memorable structures in Sligo but is one of the best examples of its genre in the country. It sits somewhat incongruously in, what is otherwise, a modestly scaled townscape and its architectural impact highlights its significance as a building of authority. The building is richly detailed and recent refurbishment has introduced some complementary modern design features. Fine craftsmanship is evident in both exterior and interior treatment. Parts of an eighteenth century gaol still survive within the confines of the courthouse.