Guided Tour of The Law Society of Ireland, Blackhall Place

Come join me on a 4th guided tour of The Law Society of Ireland, in Blackhall Place, Dublin 7, in the heart of Dublin.

*This tour will take place on Tuesday the 31st of March.
We will meet at the entrance gate at 12.45pm.
The tour will start at 1pm

• The Tour will last up to 1 & 1/2 hrs**
  *Dr. Barry Whelan, who works in the Law Society's Diploma Centre Examinations office and is an Author, historian and will be our tour guide.**
  We will be shown the historic part of the premises which will
  include the Council Chambers, and some of the modern educational facilities.
  This tour is free of charge.
  *There are a max of 30 places only
  Everyone is responsible for their own Health and Safety.
  If anyone attending has mobility issues, there is a lift.

Members who attended the previous tours will agree that the tour was very enjoyable and Dr. Whelan kept us enthralled with his great wit and knowledge.

In 1671, a charitable school for boys of poor families was established called the Hospital and Free School of King Charles II, Dublin. It became known as the King's Hospital or Blue Coat School because of the boys' military-style blue uniform.
The original school built on another site, was deemed to be in danger of collapsing by the early 1770's. Thomas Ivory, Master of the School of Architectural Drawing in the Dublin Society prepared a set of thirteen drawings in 1776 for a new design.
The building was never finished to Ivory's design.
In December 1783, the building was opened. and the first boys moved into the school.
In 1894, the incomplete tower was removed and replaced by the present cupola.
Blackhall Place remained the home of the Blue Coat School until 1968.
The building was acquired by the Law Society in 1971 and having completed substantial renovations, it was opened as the headquarters of the solicitors' preofession in 1978.
The Chapel, now known as the Presidents' Hall, has considerable distinction with its fine plasterwork of the Georgian period and was enhanced in the 20th century by the erection of a stained glass east window by the Irish artist, Evie Hone.

I look forward to seeing you there.