Rushing to Court across the Rubicon, c.1790

Ruth Cannon BL Barrister Ballinlaw from Kilkenny side
A somewhat gloomy Ballinlaw from the Kilkenny side. Image via Wikimedia Commons.

From the New Ross Standard, 1931:

“THE BALLINLAW FERRY

This ferry way was popularly used in bygone years for passengers to enter County Waterford from the Wexford side.  Caesar Colclough, admitted as a Barrister-at-Law in 1783, was travelling with Charles Kendal Bushe from Wexford to Waterford while on the Leinster Circuit, and in order to shorten the journey decided on crossing the ferry of Ballinlaw.  It was blowing a strong gale at the time, and the boatmen expressed some fears read more

Gurgles from the Grave as Judicial Rivalry Continues into the Afterlife, 1882-1979

Mount Jerome Cemetery, Dublin c. 1917, via Ebay.

From the Evening Press, 19 January 1979:

If you happen to be in Mount Jerome Cemetery and have the right kind of imaginative hearing, you can listen to those odd chortling and shushing sounds coming from a certain over-ground vault on the right hand side of the mortuary chapel. The chortling comes from the late James Whiteside, one time Lord read more

‘Briefless Junior’ Secures Life-Changing Career Success by Standing in for Senior Detained on Field of Honour, 1815

Patrick MacDowell’s statue of the former ‘briefless junior,’ Sir Michael O’Loghlen, Master of the Rolls, after the Battle of the Four Courts, 1922, via South Dublin Digital Archive.

From the Freeman’s Journal, 12 July 1922:-

“Artistic Dublin is more than anxious to learn the full fate of the superb seated statue of Sir Michael O’Loghlen, Master of the Rolls, which the Bar of Ireland erected in the Round Hall of the Four Courts. Concern for the masterpiece recalls the fact that O’Loghlen owed his first success at the bar to the duel fought between Dan O’Connell read more

Midlands Circuit Judge Throws Himself Between Combatants to End Free Fight in Boyle Court, 1907

The old Courthouse, Boyle, Co Roscommon, via Buildings of Ireland

From the Evening Herald, 15 October 1907:

“While his Honor County Court Judge Wakely was revising the voters’ list in Boyle Courthouse yesterday a wild scene of tumult took place. George W Tully was after being examined in support of his claim for a vote, and on leaving the witness table he deliberately struck Arthur O’Connor two blows on the face with his clenched fist. Mr O’Connor retaliated, and a wild scene of riot ensued. The audience was composed of the supporters read more

Lord Chancellor’s Emissary Saves Lady from Singed Cat, Incurs Husband’s Wrath, 1838


From the Waterford Mail, 5 March 1838:

“There is a story running the rounds of the hundred and one coteries that assemble in the Four Courts, that is creating much amusement. You shall have it, and you may take it, as far as its authenticity is concerned, quantum valeat.

It appears that Sir Anthony Harte, the Lord read more