How Ireland’s top judge used to travel – the State Coach of the unpopular 18th century Lord Chancellor of Ireland, John FitzGibbon, first Ear of Clare, as described in the Lurgan Mail, 5 March 1932. The coach is now in the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks.

In fairness, Lord Clare himself preferred to walk to work from his home in Ely Place – albeit armed with a brace of pistols due to his unpopularity! When he did travel to the Four Courts by coach, it would have been parked in the western courtyard, paved over at the time, and close to his quarters in what is now Court 4 (then the Chancery Court).

Nymphs!

Image Credit: National Gallery of Scotland.