Naas Courthouse

Naas Courthouse is a fine and imposing Classical-style building that has a prominent setting and impact on Main Street South. Originally built to the designs of Richard Morrison (and subsequently remodelled by John McCurdy and John Brett), the internal arrangement of the entrance hall with stair hall to rear flanked by double-height courtrooms is comparable with the architect’s contemporary courthouse at Portlaoise, County Laois, and Wexford town (now demolished). The courthouse is of considerable social significance as one of the earliest civic buildings in the town and it forms a neat group with the former Royal Irish Constabulary barracks located to south-west. Fronting directly on to the road, the courthouse is fronted by an imposing pedimented portico intended to convey the gravity of the judicial system to the local population – the construction of the portico, notably the cut-stone work and fine detailing, is a good example of the high quality of stone masonry practised in the locality. Despite the austere tone required, the courthouse is nevertheless a highly ornamented composition, with render being applied freely to ornamental effect, ranging from full-height pilasters to string/sill courses and moulded architraves to openings. The courthouse retains an early external aspect with important salient features including timber sash fenestration and a slate roof. Recent (c.1990) renovations have not been undertaken in keeping with the preservation of the original integrity of the composition and an extensive additional block has been added to the rear (not included in this record), which conforms neither to the scale or form of the original block. Similarly, many of the original interiors have been altered unsympathetically, with the original staircase now lost, the screen wall one of the final fragments of the entrance hall, and replacement timber fittings inserted to the courtrooms, retaining but one timber canopy (design attributed to Morrison and of artistic merit). It is probable, however, that the building will continue in existence for many years to come and, should renovations again be undertaken, the original interior spaces might be restored.