James Gandon's Custom House opened in 1791 as the headquarters of Irish customs administration, its long river façade and Portland stone dome dominating the Liffey docklands. In May 1921, IRA volunteers set it ablaze in a symbolic strike against British civil administration; the fire burned for five days and destroyed centuries of local government records before the building was restored in the 1920s.
| Admission | Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Visitor centre Mon–Fri 10:00–12:30; exterior always visible |
| Address | Custom House Quay, Dublin 1, D01 Ireland |
Why it matters
Burned for five days in May 1921 by the IRA as a symbolic strike against British administration; rebuilt through the 1920s
Site facts
- Built
- 1781–1791
- Architect
- James Gandon
Weather through the year in Ireland
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Ireland.
Location
Custom House Quay, Dublin 1, D01 Ireland
53.3484, -6.2490 View on map
Highlights
- Portland stone dome topped by a statue of Commerce
- Riverside façade with 14 keystone heads representing Ireland's rivers
- Visitor centre with exhibition on Gandon and the 1921 burning