Four Courts Press

Four Courts Press, academic publisher in Dublin

Four Courts Press is an academic publisher based in Dublin (Ireland) that presents itself as one of the country's leading academic publishers. It was founded in 1970 by Michael Adams as a small press and, from 1992, it expanded rapidly from its initial base in theology into other fields: first Celtic and medieval studies and ecclesiastical history, and later modern history, art, literature and law.

The company publishes around 40 titles a year and currently has more than 800 titles in print. Its books are distributed worldwide, both directly through its website and through an extensive network of bookstores, libraries and book wholesalers. The publisher states that all its works undergo a peer review process.

Catalogue and publishing areas

Four Courts Press's catalogue is organised around a series of academic disciplines. Among the subjects it covers are archaeology, architecture, arts, Celtic studies, guides, references and archives, history, law and legal history, literature and criticism, medieval studies, philosophy and theology, and Scottish studies. The publisher also includes in its catalogue publications from NUI (National University of Ireland) and the Folklore of Ireland Council.

The website groups titles into sections such as new titles, back in print, special offers, coming soon and eBooks. It also has a limited stock section, with titles that are almost gone.

Online shopping and downloadable catalogue

The publisher offers its customers a fast, easy and secure method of purchasing books online. Through its website it applies an automatic 10% discount on all book purchases made on the site. The 2026 catalogue is available for download, and visitors can subscribe to the mailing list to receive news and special offers.

Team and history

Four Courts Press's team is led by Martin Healy as managing director, Martin Fanning as publisher and Anthony Tierney as sales and marketing manager, with Kiera Mitchell as publishing assistant.

The founder, Michael Adams (1937–2009), was a native of County Fermanagh and graduated from Queen's University Belfast and the University of Navarra, in Pamplona. His first significant involvement in publishing was with Irish University Press and he contributed to the creation of Irish Academic Press, where he served as managing director until 1995. He was the author of Censorship: the Irish experience, the subject of his PhD thesis, as well as two short books on religion. In 2005, Trinity College Dublin awarded him an honorary doctorate in Letters in recognition of his contribution to academic studies in Ireland.

Submitting proposals and location

The publisher reminds those who wish to submit a book proposal that they should make their first contact by email. Its office is located at 7 Malpas Street, near Dublin's historic Blackpitts area, about a 15-minute walk from the LUAS station at St Stephen's Green. From the city centre it can also be reached on Dublin Bus numbers 49 and 49A to Clanbrassil Street.

7 Malpas Street, Dublin D08 YD81, Ireland · Telephone: +353 1 453 4668 · Email: info@fourcourtspress.ie