The first public building in the town was the old courthouse in Ludlow Street which was designed and built by Edward Manning and completed in 1632.

[1][2] After an increase in the transient population of the town, especially on market days, in the early 19th century, followed by severe economic recession in the wake of the Napoleonic Wars, there was a significant increase in the number of civil disturbances in the town.

[3] The new building was designed by John Hargrave in the Greek Revival style, built in rubble masonry with ashlar stone dressings, and was completed in 1831.

[4] The design involved a symmetrical main frontage of five bays facing onto Abbey Road.

[5] The building was transferred to the management of the Royal Irish Constabulary as a police barracks in accordance with the provisions of the General Prisons (Ireland) Act 1877.