Main Guard (Clonmel) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Main Guard |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| General information | |
| Type | courthouse |
| Architectural style | Palladian |
| Address | 57 Gladstone Street |
| Town or city | Clonmel |
| Country | Ireland |
| Coordinates | 52°21′11″N 7°42′05″W / 52.353149°N 7.701415°W |
| Elevation | 24 m (79 ft) |
| Construction started | 1674 |
| Owner | Office of Public Works |
| Technical details | |
| Material | sandstone, limestone, steel, lead, timber, slate |
| Floor count | 2 |
| Designations | |
| Official name: Clonmel Mainguard Courthouse | |
| Reference #: | 667 |
The Main Guard is an important historic building in Clonmel, Ireland. It used to be a courthouse, which is a place where legal cases are heard. Today, it is protected as a National Monument, meaning it's a very special part of Ireland's history. You can find it right in the middle of Clonmel, just north of the River Suir.
Contents
History of the Main Guard
Building a New Courthouse
The Main Guard gets its name because it was once where the "main guard" of soldiers for Clonmel were stationed. This was a key military spot. In 1650, the old court building in Clonmel was destroyed during a big fight called the Siege of Clonmel. A siege happens when an army surrounds a town to try and take control of it.
After things settled down, James Butler, a powerful duke, got his special ruling rights back in 1662. He decided a new courthouse was needed. So, he ordered the construction of the building we now call The Main Guard.
Construction and Early Uses
The building was finished in 1674. It served as the main courthouse for the area of County Tipperary. Interestingly, some of the stone used to build it came from an old religious building called Inislounaght Abbey, which had closed down many years before in 1540.
Besides being a courthouse, The Main Guard also had fancy private rooms. These included a dining room and a drawing room. These rooms were used to host important guests, like King James II when he visited Clonmel in 1689. The building was also used as a "tholsel", which was a place to collect tolls (fees) from people. Some parts of its design were inspired by the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren.
Changes Over Time
In 1715, the special ruling rights of the area were ended. After this, major court sessions for Clonmel, called the Assizes, were held in The Main Guard. A famous event happened here in 1766 when a priest named Father Nicholas Sheehy was put on trial. He was known for speaking out against unfair laws at the time.
Around 1810, the building changed quite a bit. The ground floor, which used to be an open area with arches, was turned into shops. A basement was dug out, and more floors were added inside. This changed its original look.
Restoration and Modern Day
In the 1990s, the Office of Public Works started a big project to bring The Main Guard back to its original design. They wanted to restore its historic appearance. Now, the open arches made of sandstone columns are visible again, just as they were long ago. This makes the building a beautiful and important part of Clonmel's street.
What The Main Guard Looks Like
-2.jpg)
The Main Guard is a two-story building with five sections, or "bays," on its front. It used to stand alone. The ground floor has an arcade, which means it has a series of open arches. The building features elements of classical architecture, like a pediment (a triangular shape often seen on top of ancient Greek and Roman buildings). A big restoration project started in 2004 to preserve its unique look.
