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The Law Society at Blackhall Place
Background information given on the occasion
of the signing of the contract on 9th September,
1975.
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.
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.
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