THE DOCK houses two dynamic organisations that are focused on the development of contemporary material and arts cultures, from home and abroad. The building houses Irelands best small Arts Centre and is home to Leitrim Design House.
Built circa 1824 to house the Carrick-on-Shannon Courthouse, the building was one of a large number of County Court buildings constructed in Ireland in the early part of the nineteenth century. It was designed by William Farrell in the classical style that was popular at the time, as the centre for administration of justice and local government in the county. The Courthouse at Carrick-on-Shannon also housed the Grand Jury, which administered local government in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. From 1898 to 1994 it housed the chamber and offices of Leitrim County Council. The building continued to house the local authority and the courts during the twentieth century. However, like many similar buildings little maintenance works were carried out and over time the fabric of the building deteriorated seriously leading to local debate in the 1980’s and early 1990’s about the future of the building. The courts service in particular was very dissatisfied with the poor facilities and decaying condition of the building fabric. Demolition of the building was even raised as a possible option. Thankfully that option was not taken!
LEITRIM DESIGN HOUSE showcases the best of local and contemporary Irish craft. It nurtures a wide variety of creative talent and fosters the development, promotion and sustainability of craft businesses. THE DOCK presents a year round artistic programme spanning visual art, theatre, music, dance, comedy and performance art and that is augmented by an arts education and outreach programme providing people of all ages and backgrounds with the opportunities to engage with the arts and develop their own creativity.
The courts service and the local authority vacated the building in 1994 and it remained vacant until refurbished as “The Dock” Arts Centre which opened to the public on the 20th August, 2005.
County Leitrim has a deep and rich heritage in the areas of arts, craft and culture. Artists, craftspeople and visitors have been drawn to the county because of it’s natural beauty, its mixed land and riverscape, its heritage, and its warm people, all of which offer powerful resources to creative people. This summer we are opening on Sundays to welcome visitors and to give you a taste of our creative spirit. Please join us for some relaxing music and creative fun. Our cafe will be open so you can enjoy a tea or coffee, browse the galleries, and pore over the Sunday newspapers. The Dock and Leitrim Design House, St Georges Terrace, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. Sunday Opening hours: 12.30pm to 4.30pm
www.thedock.ie Box Office: 071 965 0828
Comhairle Chontae Liatroma Leitrim County Council
www.leitrimdesignhouse.ie 071 965 0550
FREE music & crafts for all the family Sundays from July 3rd to August 14th www.thedock.ie