Old Courthouse Antrim

Places to See | Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland

---

---

Did you know?  Built in 1726 for the grand sum of £150, the old courthouse in Antrim is the oldest court house still standing in Northern Ireland.

Positioned in the heart of Antrim town, the historic Old Courthouse was re-opened in 2010 following extensive restoration by the Council.  Nowadays it serves as a theatre venue and provides visitor information alongside a bijou cafe.

The Old Courthouse stands as a key landmark within Antrim Town Centre and its architectural significance is acknowledged through its Grade A historic building listing.

A potted history

The two-storey building has a small turret (cupola) on top, dating from 1817.  The court occupied the upper floor while the lower floor provided an arched market-hall.  Many cases of highway robbery and animal theft were tried here and strict criminal laws resulted in transportation or death for relatively trivial offences, even the stealing of a sheep!

By 1836, the lower floor had been converted to a prison yard for prisoners attending trials and confining drunkards and rioters.  It was later converted into a public library.  The building continued to be used as a courthouse until 1994.

Address: Market Square, Antrim

---