A Carlow historian, Mr Tommy Clarke, is leading a local campaign to resist any interference with the railings at Carlow Courthouse.
The Office of Public Works has placed a notice on the courthouse railings proposing external alterations which include altering the railings. Mr Clarke says that would be like moving the railings at Trinity College, Dublin to build a car-park.
"One can imagine the public outcry in Dublin at such a proposal. The people of Carlow should unite to ensure this proposal never comes to fruition".
Mr Clarke fears that if the railings are touched they may disintegrate due to corrosion. In 1973 a proposal to remove the courthouse railings was strongly resisted by the local community and the railings remained untouched.