Old Jail and Sessions House

Detached single-bay two-storey former jail and sessions house, rebuilt between 1798 and 1800 incorporating the fabric of an earlier structure. Roof now gone. Constructed of rubble stone with portions of lime render surviving over. Walls now ivy-clad. Plaque erected by local historical society on wall facing street. Openings now infilled. Rubble limestone wall to the south. Located towards the south end of the Newtown suburb, to the northeast end of Moate.

This historic jail and sessions house, although now in ruined state, forms an important part of the history of the town. This structure was rebuilt at the very end of the eighteenth century, a time of increased unrest in Ireland that culminated in the 1798 Rebellion. This jail and sessions house was replaced by a new building in Moate (15317045) in 1834 but it was still extant c.1914 (map). This building is a worthy addition to the built heritage of Westmeath, adding to the historic nature of Moate.