Custom House, Dublin

 Custom House 

The Custom House is a neo-classical building located on the north banks of the River Liffey, close to Dublin’s financial district. When an older Custom House was deemed no longer fit for purpose in the late 18th Century, John Beresford (Ireland’s first commissioner for Revenue). James Gandon (1743 - 1823), the English-born architect, was appointed in charge of the project. While this was Gandon’s first major commission, he was later involved with other works, such as the Four Courts and Kings Inns in Dublin, and Emo Court in Laois. 

The new Custom House was originally unpopular with Dublin Corporation and many of the city’s merchants, as it was felt it shifted the axis of the city, and would leave insufficient room for shipping. 

Construction started in 1781, and was completed in late 1791, at an estimated cost of £200,000 - a considerable sum at the time.

The four facades of the Custom House are decorated with coat-of-arms and sculptures by Edward Smyth, representing Ireland’s rivers. Another artist, Henry Banks, created the statues around the Custom House, including the one on the top of the dome.

Just east of the building, the dock and swing bridge were also designed by Gandon, and building of these was finished in 1798. In the 1940’s the old dock was filled in and the swing bridge removed, to be replaced by an extended quay, and later to be replaced by Memorial Road. 

Over time the port of Dublin moved downriver, and the Custom House became obsolete for it’s intended purpose of collecting customs duties. After this it became headquarters for the Local Government Board for Ireland.

During the War of Independence in 1921, the Irish Republican Army burned down the Custom House, in order to destroy tax records and thereby disrupt British rule in Ireland. The original interior of the Custom House was completely destroyed as a result, and the central dome collapsed. Important historical records were also lost in the fire. Despite the fire achieving the Irish Republican Army’s objectives, they lost a lot of Volunteers in the attack and when falling back. 

After the Anglo-Irish Treaty (signed in December 1921), the Irish Free State government restored the building. This restoration work is still evident on the building today - the dome was rebuilt using Ardbraccan limestone, instead of the original Portland stone, which was lighter in colouring. 

In November 2021, a Visitor Centre was opened in the Custom House, and it reveals the story behind this wonderful building and it’s place in Irish history. It is well worth a visit, and the staff are very welcoming and knowledgeable.