Our History
Our firm has been operating continuously since 1929 on Middle Abbey Street, in the heart of Dublin city. The current Partners, Peter Boyle and Melanie Boyle, are the grandson and great-granddaughter respectively of the firm's founder, Charles B. W. Boyle.
Charles B. W. Boyle
Our firm’s founder set up his practice in 1929 at 68 Middle Abbey Street [two doors down from our permanent location at number 70], right in the heart of Dublin city centre. His firm became a well-known and respected general practice, with a particular focus on Plaintiff Litigation and closely associated with the Trade Union movement of the time, representing ordinary Dubliners fighting for what are now basic rights.
Charles had a long and distinguished career as a Solicitor. He acted in a number of historic cases, including representing the workers in the “Lockout” case in 1913, which was hotly contested and finally decided in the House of Lords in London. He also represented Nurse Cadden in the famous State v. Cadden case in 1938.
Charles served as Auditor of the Solicitors’ Apprentices Debating Society of Ireland (SADSI) in 1909/10 and prior to that, won the Gold Medal for Composition from SADSI in 1908. We are proud to display the century-old Certificates for these accolades in our offices.
Cyril A. Boyle
Cyril A. Boyle joined the family firm in 1937 and worked there until the outbreak of World War II, when he went to serve with the Allies in Egypt, Burma and India. After India gained independence in 1948, Cyril returned home to practise law in the family firm, and he became a very well-known and respected Solicitor around Dublin, serving the firm’s clients until his death in 1987.
Through Cyril, the firm’s connection with Big Jim Larkin and the workers continued. Cyril was retained as Solicitor for the Workers Union of Ireland [now part of SIPTU, for which the firm still proudly acts].
Cyril was also well-known in rugby circles, having been heavily involved with Dublin University Football Club and the Irish Universities. He also served as Chairman of the Irish Selectors from 1956 to 1959, and was a Selector of the British & Irish Lions in 1959 for their tour to Australia and New Zealand.
Cyril is fondly remembered by many of his clients who are still with the firm, two generations later.