History of the Area - Ormond Quay

The Dublin quays refers to the two roadways and quays that run along the north and

south banks of the River Liffey. The quays have played an important part in Dublin's

history. Ormond Quay is one of many waterfront spans of street lining the Liffey in

central Dublin. Situated on the north bank, its upper and lower sections are bisected

by Capel Street.

Ormond Quay is named after James Bultler, the 1st Duke of Ormonde. Butler was a

three times Lord Lieutenant of Ireland who insisted that the houses built on the north

bank of the Liffey faced the river. Sir Humphrey Jervis developed Ormond Quay under

lease in 1674 on the former lands of St. Mary’s Abbey. Jervis had originally intended to

build the terraces with their backs to the river, but Butler persuaded him to build them

facing the river, leaving the street open to the water as a quay. His suggestion, which could hardly be ignored, was of immense importance to the future development of

Dublin and inspired the city’s entire system of quays. The nearby Ormonde Square is

similarly named and for many years was the site of the Ormonde Markets.

Built on the original 13th century site of a Dominican Friary garden which would later

become the old King’s Inns, the present Four Courts emerged in the twenty years

between 1776 and 1796. The work of architects Thomas Cooley and James Gandon, they

were originally designed to bring together the various offices of the Courts and legal

records which were, until that time, dispersed in a variety of houses between the river

and High Street. In the two hundred years since, the life of the courts has paralleled that

of the nation. In 1922, during the Civil War, the buildings suffered bombardment. Later

that year the court the system became part of the newly independent state and the building continued to house successor courts established by or under the 1922 and 1937

Constitutions. Work, based on the designs of Thomas Cooley, architect of the Royal

Exchange, began in 1776. Cooley’s building concentrated in the area of the west

courtyard and was intended to house only the Public Offices and King’s Inns.

When Cooley died in 1784, James Gandon, architect of the Customs House, was

appointed to add the courts to the plan. Into his completed design he incorporated

Cooley’s extant building, adding two quadrangles and a central block. The

quadrangles were given to the record and legal offices, the centre to the Four Courts of

Chancery, Exchequer, King’s Bench and Common Pleas. At the hub is the Round Hall,

64ft in diameter, with inner and outer domes and a surround of Corinthian columns. The

completed courts opened for business on 8th November 1796.