Visit and learn

On our Visit and Learn pages you can learn more about the Courts Service, our history and how to get involved a book a tour!

Education and schools

  • School visits

    Classes can visit the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin and learn about the workings of the courts from a legal professional.

  • Let’s look at the law

    This module will educate students about specific areas of the Irish legal system and empower them as active citizens of Ireland.

  • Comhrá

    Book a video call with a Supreme Court judge for your classroom

Exploring the courts

  • Events

    From Culture Night to Open House, explore some of the many events taking place across the court’s estate.

  • The Irish Courts Podcast

    Our first series explores landmark cases and the evolution of our legal system, featuring discussions with prominent judges, legal scholars, and historians.

  • 360° virtual tours

    Explore some of Dublin’s prominent court buildings by taking one of our 360° virtual tours.

How the courts work

  • What the courts do

    Courts have a wide variety of functions. They include administering criminal law, resolving civil disputes and upholding the rights of citizens.

  • Who is in the courtroom?

    For many of us, the courtroom is an unfamiliar place. We might know its function, but we are unsure how the court works.

  • How a criminal trial works

    The purpose of a criminal trial is to outline the circumstances surrounding a crime and determine the guilt or innocence of the defendant.

Our history

  • History of the law in Ireland

    The spread of English common law to Ireland is described as the ‘first adventure of the common law’.

  • Where courthouses come from

    Learn about the architectural evolution of courthouses in Ireland, dating back to Brehon times.

  • Centenary lectures

    Lectures in the Four Courts highlighting the great moments, movements and struggles involved with the foundation of the modern state of Ireland.