The Averil Deverell Room and the Mella Carroll Room, named after two pioneering female giants of the legal profession in Ireland, were officially opened as new seating areas in the Church St building on Thursday 15th March 2018. The Averil Deverell Room is located on the 1st floor and the Mella Carroll Room is located on the 3rd floor.
Ms Averil Deverell, a native of Greystones in County Wicklow, was the first woman to practice as a barrister in Ireland. Upon her call to the Bar, she engrained herself into a substantial Chancery practice and vigorously campaigned on behalf of her female colleagues until her retirement over forty years later.
Ms Mella Elizabeth Laurie Carroll was born in Dublin on March 6th, 1934. She attended the Sacred Heart convent in Lower Leeson Street and after school continued her studies in University College Dublin, where she graduated in French and German. She was called to the Bar in 1957, and took silk in 1977. In 1979 she was elected Chairwoman of the Bar Council and a year later she became the first woman appointed to the High Court.
It is hoped that by naming the rooms in their honour, their memory will continue to inspire those who follow in their footsteps.