The Four Courts, Dublin (2)

There are, however, some other architectural elements around the Four Courts building which should be mentioned since they create a whole architectural ensemble.

August 2010

St. Paul's Church, Arran Quay, February 2009

November 2011

For example, a nearby graceful and solid parapet winds alongside the banks of the River Liffey on the present quayside; it runs continuously from Heuston Station to Butt Bridge. The present parapet was erected in the middle of the 19^th century by the Dublin Port and Docks Board. This fine stone wall with its curved top is only broken at the Four Courts, where the parapet was replaced with a classical balustrade. 

November 2010

October 2011

Observing the two flanking bridges to the building, O’Donovan Rossa Bridge (1816), standing at the east of the Four Courts and Fr. Mathew Bridge (1818), standing at the west of the Four Courts, we can see that both carry a classical balustrade with a granite coping. The same  balustrade style is the one which continues along the quay in front of The Four Courts and it is a very elegant feature of the River Liffey at this point, which provides a kind of transparent low screen emphasizing the height to the Four Courts building, adding stylishness and complementing the Gandon’s noble masterpiece.

October 2011

 

O'Donovan Rossa bridge, April 2007

July 2006

Additionally, there are also many mature trees along these quays, which lend a sense of grace to the Four Courts building and to the River Liffey.