Custom House, Dublin

Custom House is an impressive Georgian building made from Portland stone and completed in 1791. It now contains government offices and a Visitor Centre (which I didn't visit). The best view is from the south side of the Liffey.

Admission is free.

this majestic building was built in 1791 by the british architect james gandon. in 1800 the act of union transfered the customs and excise duties to london thus making this building obsolete. in 1921 supporters of the sinn fein set this building on fire. the fire burned for five days causing extensive damage to the building. reconstruction of the customs house began in 1926 but it was not until 1991 that the work was completed. this building is lit up at night which is an impressive sight along the leffey river.

The custom House stands along River Liffey at Custom House Quay, on the north side of the river. It is an impressive building, 114 metres long. It was designed by James Gandon, an Georgian architect, and was built between 1781 - 1791. The building is in neoclassical style, with arcades and it is decorated with many sculptures.

During the Civil War 1921 -1922 the interior was destroyed by fire and after that the building had to undergo serious reconstruction. The dome and drum were completely rebuilt.

This government building was designed by the English architect James Gandon as costums office. A fire in 1921 caused severe damage, the restauration was only finished in 1991.
Two pavilions with the Irish emblem flank the facade. he statue on the copper dome symbolizes trade. The view from the Southern bank of the Liffey is the best.

A magbificebt Georgian Building on the north side of the River Liffey.
To-day it houses the Department of the Environment.
During British rule it housed records. It was burned by the IRB (IRA) on the orders of the Provisional Government of the Irish Republic in 1920 and all the records therin were destroyed.

Custom House was built to house the cities tax commissioners. The 18th century building has a copper dome set with faces and neoclassical coloums. Today it houses the Department of the Enviroment. A Visitor centre gives you the history of the building.
Open from Mon - Fri 10am to 12.30
Sat - Sun from 2pm to 5pm

Winter times are slightly different.

I stayed in a hostel located just behind the Custom House, so it was the first "attraction" that I saw. It was restored in 1991, but it's basically just government offices now, although you can tour it between 10am and 5pm. It is striking mostly because of its size and it really dominates the view along the north side of the Liffey. Look for the Irish coat of arms on the front facade.

The Custom House is often considered architecturally the most important building in Dublin. This European neo-classical masterpiece that sits majestically on the river front was completed in 1791 by renowed architect James Gandon. This is actually the second Custom House built in Dublin, the previous one built in 1707 only lasted 70 years.

The visitor Center contains exhibitions on the history of the Custom House including the 1921 fire and its restoration as well as a museum featuring the architect Gandon.

It's open daily and admission is free.

The Customs House is a magnificent structure, especially illuminated at night. Its location is ideal and if you like architecture as I do, you will really appreciate its beauty from George’s Quay across the Liffey from its location. As an architectural standpoint the structure is quite impressive. The main facade is made of a pavillion located at each end with a Doric portico located in the center and crowning the pavillions are the "Arms of Ireland" and some allegorical heads and topping the dome is a statue of "Commerce".

It served as the customs and exercise building for only 9 years from its completion since the “1800 Act of Union” moved the customs to London rendering this building obsolete.

I read in my guide book that in “1921 supporters of Sinn Fein celebrated their election victory” by setting the building on fire for they saw it as “British Symbolism”. The fire raged for 5 days causing extensive damage to the building and wasn’t completed restored to what you see today until 1991. The building is currently used as government offices.

The Custom House is an important landmark in Dublin, often considered the most important building in the city and was the first major public building built here as an isolated structure with four monumental facades. It is sited on the river front with Beresford Place but it isnt the original Custom House building, existing a previous one up river at Essex Quay until 1781 when was started the construction of the new in this location.
The interior of the bulding was destroyed during the Irish Civil War of 1921-1922.
The exterior is adorned with sculptures and coats-of-arms and a series of sculpted keystones symbolising the rivers of Ireland.