The Old Courthouse

The Old Courthouse, Stradone Street, Ballyjamesduff

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This historic building was beautifully refurbished by the Ballyjamesduff Community Council in 2021. The refurbishment received funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, LEADER, the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, and investment from Cavan County Council. Fir

st built in 1881 by Cavan architect and civil engineer Patrick Joseph Brady, the then two-storey building held court sessions on the bottom floor and school classes above. The landlord was Robert J. Cumings from Crover House, Mountnugent, who exempted paying rent because it was a National School. Many efforts had been made to suppress schools in the previous century, and it was not yet compulsory to attend. Therefore, the majority of young people did not. Teachers were paid by the pupils' parents an annual wage of £5 - £15. The building was heated with an open fire and the fuel typically supplied by the community. The rooms were lit by oil lamps which did not give off much light. Due to bad conditions, the building was demolished and rebuilt in 1928, as the one-storey building you see now. It remained in use as a Courthouse until 2005 and was then abandoned for several years. It was refurbished by the Ballyjamesduff Community Council and opened its doors again as a Community Hub and Heritage Center in 2021.