Four Courts

The Four Courts (Irish: Na Ceithre Cúirteanna) is Ireland's most prominent courts building, located on Inns Quay in Dublin. The Four Courts is the principal seat of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the High Court and the Dublin Circuit Court. Until 2010 the building also housed the Central Criminal Court; this is now located in the Criminal Courts of Justice building.

The original courts building on St Michael's Hill close to Christchurch cathedral housed four superior courts, of Chancery, King's Bench, Exchequer and Common Pleas, giving the building its familiar name.

Under the Supreme Court of Judicature Act (Ireland) 1877, these four courts were replaced by two - the Court of Appeal, presided over by the Lord Chancellor, and the High Court of Justice, headed by the Lord Chief Justice - but the building has retained its historic name.

Under the Courts of Justice Act 1924, courts were established for the new Irish Free State with the Supreme Court of Justice, presided over by the Chief Justice, replacing the Court of Appeal and a reconstituted High Court of Justice, presided over by the President of the High Court, continuing the jurisdiction of the old High Court. The Constitution of Ireland in 1937 provided that courts would be established in a manner provided by the Constitution; this did not in fact occur until the implementation of the Courts (Establishment and Constitution) Act 1961. The Supreme Court and High Court (now dropping "of Justice" from their title) established under this act continued the jurisdiction of the courts established under the 1924 Act.

A new Court of Appeal was established in 2014, following a referendum in 2013, largely taking over the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the old Court of Criminal Appeal. Its civil division sits in the Four Courts.

Prior to the construction of a dedicated courts building at the beginning of the 17th century, the courts sat in various locations around the city but mainly at Dublin Castle. For a brief period in 1606, the courts moved across the river to their current location however they soon moved back into the city due to pressure from Dublin Corporation.

In 1608, a dedicated complex was built adjacent to Christ Church Cathedral on what is today St Michael's Hill which was in use as the four courts until opening of the present building around 1796.

Even after renovation and reconstruction works by William Robinson in 1695, there were constant complaints about the building's condition and location. Later works were supervised by Thomas Burgh from 1705-06 while Hugh Darley was also recorded as working as a stonecutter on the structure in 1749.