The Gazette 1975

The Law Society at Blackhall Place

Background information given on the occasion of the signing of the contract on 9th September, 1975.

Accommodation has been a problem for the Society for many years. In 1874 a 99 year lease was granted to the Society from the Benchers of King's Inns. This provided buildings at the back of the Four Courts. These were destroyed in the burning of the Four Courts (1922) and replaced on a new site by the exist- ing Solicitors' Buildings. At that time they were adequate, but the necessity for developing the education of apprentices and pro- viding services to the profession has created consider- able difficulties in recent years. Lectures have been held under conditions difficult for both students and their tutors. The Blackhall Place premises will elimin- ate these difficulties for the foreseeable future. The buildings will be used as the profession's educational centre and headquarters. The Chapel Hall will be refurbished to retain its rather unique features for special occupiers within the profession and in assoc- iation with other professional organisations. Part of the extensive grounds at the rere of the premises will be used in conjunction with the Society's Law School for the purpose of providing adequate recreational facilities for the students.

Wh en the historic King's Hospital School moved out from 'the city in 1970 to new buildings at Palmers - town it was appropriate that its 200-year-old premises in Blackhall Place, Dublin, should be preserved as an educational centre through its acquisition by the In- corporated Law Society of Ireland. The School — originally the Hospital and Free- School of King Charles the Second — was founded in 1670, but the distinguished buildings designed by Thorn?s Ivory were not built on what was then Oxman- town Green until over a century later. Ivory's original design provided for a tower and cupola but for economy reasons these were omitted; nevertheless, King's Hospital as it stands is a fine building well worth preserving. The Law Society, with roots almost as deep as the King's Hospital, is the successor of the Law Club founded in 1791 which became, in turn, the Law Society (1830) and the Society of Attorneys and Sol- icitors (1841) which obtained its first Charter eleven years later. The name, Incorporated Law Society of Ireland was formally adopted in 1888.

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