Custom House Visitor Centre

One of the most beautiful buildings around Dublin. No questions.

The Custom House was designed by James Gandon and was finished in 1791. It was destroyed by firs in 1921 during an event in the War of Independence. The Custom House was rebuilt, the interior was redesigned and further renovation work was carried out in the 1980’s. The visitor centre is located in and around the Dome or Clock Tower area.

The Custom House is probably the most familiar of Ireland’s neoclassical buildings and, given its prominent location, is considered Dublin’s most important architectural landmark.
The Custom House was designed in the 18^th Century by James Gandon, who is responsible for many of Dublin’s more impressive buildings and can be considered the father of Irish architecture.
The Custom House has been marvellously preerved, and still has most of its original features (including the emblem of the British crown, though history has rendered this obselete).
One feature that has visibly changed is the roof, which was damaged irreperably when the IRA torched the building in 1921. This action gave the IRA little military advantage, but it did destroy the birth certs of half the population of Dublin, which proved very useful for people who did not want to let their true age be known, such as when applying for pensions ahead of time, or working past the mandatory retirement age (as in the case of Brendan Behan’s father, who personally took part in the burning of the Custom House and later reaped the benefits).
The domed roof is now made of limestone, and is visibly differnt to the rest of the building, which was constructed with Portland stone.
One of Dublin’s more historically important, as well as aesthetically pleasing, landmarks.