3. The ‘Hanging Judge’ & Cabragh House.

[Narration] The ‘Hanging Judge’ & Cabragh House.

Now every good story needs a villain, and right now you are standing on the former site of Cabragh House and home to one of Ireland’s most notorious villains. But before we get to that, let me tell you a brief history of the old Cabragh House that once stood at this very spot.

Around the year 1598, Cabragh house was completed and it was first occupied by the Segrave family. The scale of the original house on this site is hard to imagine when looking at the flats that sit here today. This house had many gardens, orchards, stables and even a brewery. While the house itself had a grand hall and a parlour. By the late 1700s the Segrave family had left Cabra house and in the year 1791, the house was acquired by a man called John Toler, The Lord Norbury, but most commonly referred to as “THE HANGING JUDGE”.

The Hanging Judge had a huge amount of power in Ireland. One of his roles was Attorney General for Ireland, a job which put him in charge of sentencing following the 1798 rebellion. He was then given the role of Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas. The Hanging Judge was known for the sheer amount of hangings that he ordered. He was also known for mocking the people who came before him in court.

The Hanging Judge’s most infamous case was the 1803 trial of Robert Emmet. Emmet, as many of you will know, staged a rising in Dublin. This rising ultimately failed and he was arrested. Emmet was unfortunate enough to have the Hanging Judge in charge of his trial. The Hanging Judge is said to have abused and mocked Emmet throughout the trial before eventually sentencing him to death.

If you look up at the red brick wall you will see a plaque that was placed here in memory of one of Ireland’s great heroes Robert Emmet. For those of you who aren't 10 foot tall the plaque says the following

“Robert Emmet. 1778-1803. United Irish man, orator and revolutionary was executed on the 20th of September 1803, having been sentenced to death By Lord Norbury, who lived in this vicinity ”

While the Hanging Judge may have struck down one Irish hero. It was another Irish Hero who ended his career. After many failed attempts it was Daniel O’Connell’s petition to the British government that eventually led to ‘The Hanging Judges’ resignation.

Unfortunately, Cabra House is no longer standing as in 1939 Dublin Corporation demolished this Historic site. As lovely as the Canon Burke Flats in front of you are, it's a shame that such an important place in Cabra’s history is gone.

[Directions] Moving on from Cabra’s most notorious villain, let’s talk about some Cabra people who I promise you will like a bit more. While facing the Robert Emmet memorial plaque turn left and make your way past the shops and towards the church.

[Music Refernce] Music: “The Cave Dweller – Dark Ambient Soundscape” by Dream-Protocol (via Pixabay)