King's Inns, controls the entry of barristers-at-law into the justice system of Ireland
King's Inns is Ireland's oldest law school and institution for training barristers, located on Constitution Hill in Dublin. The Georgian building was designed by James Gandon and features classical proportions, while the publicly accessible grounds include a dining hall built in 1806, statues, courtyards, and a tree with ivy growing across it.
The society was founded in 1541 under King Henry VIII and is Ireland's oldest law school. After the Four Courts were built in the 1790s, it moved to Constitution Hill, where architect James Gandon designed the current Georgian building.
The society maintains medieval traditions of the Inns of Court, where lawyers once lived, ate, and studied together. These practices shape the place today, creating a setting where the past remains part of how people work and learn here.
The grounds are open to the public during daylight hours for walking and viewing the architecture and statues. Access to the building interior is usually limited but opens for special events like Culture Night with free tours, and occasional concerts or exhibitions are held there.
The grounds feature the Hungry Tree, an old London Plane that appears to have swallowed an iron bench with its roots. This tree is a popular spot for photographers and visitors curious about this unusual natural occurrence.
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