Probably the earliest photograph of Ireland’s oldest law school, the Honorable Society of King’s Inns, Dublin, taken by Henry Fox Talbot c.1845.
At the time of the photograph James Gandon’s original building, completed by Francis Johnston in 1817, had yet to be extended by bays on either side.
It appears the image below is a negative, so the location of the building works shown belies appearances. They are actually on the northern rather than the southern side and may be the first set of bays, completed in 1846. I’ve subsequently located the final image – see here.
The King’s Inns was originally located on Inns Quay, but was transferred by the Benchers to the Commissioners of Public Works in the late 18th century in order to facilitate the construction of the Four Courts.
Image via the William Henry Fox Talbot Catalogue Raisonné.
Leave a Reply