This site has served as a cornerstone of civic life since the 13th century, when William le Gros first constructed a castle here. The fortress later became known as Grace’s Castle, taking its name from a prominent local family, before undergoing a dramatic transformation in 1566 when it was surrendered to the Crown and repurposed as the county gaol, or ‘Sheire Gaol’ as it was then called.

The building continued to serve as a prison for over two centuries until around 1794, when authorities decided to rebuild it as a courthouse. The 19th century brought further modifications, including the addition of an elegant balcony and stone steps that still grace the building today. While the current structure appears thoroughly Georgian in character, archaeologists believe that remnants of the original medieval castle and Tudor-era prison may still lurk within its fabric, hidden beneath layers of later construction.

Recent archaeological work has lent weight to these suspicions. In 2008, during monitoring of construction work, archaeologist Maedbh Saunderson discovered what appeared to be a section of 15th-century wall at the southwest corner of the courthouse, possibly part of Grace’s Castle itself. The wall’s unusual thickness compared to other post-medieval structures on site suggested its earlier origins, though it was partially demolished during the installation of a new stairwell. This tantalising discovery hints at the layers of history that remain buried beneath this unassuming civic building, where medieval fortification, Tudor imprisonment, and Georgian justice all converge in one remarkable site.