Custom House

Standing proud on the north bank of River Liffey, the Custom House is a landmark of Georgian architecture. Designed by James Gandon, one of the most influential architects of his time, the building required a massive construction effort, involving every available worker in the region. Completed after ten years of work, it became the official office for Dublin’s customs authority. The place where merchants declared their goods and paid their taxes, making it a strategic hub for Ireland’s economy and international trade. However, in 1921, during the Irish War of Independence, the IRA (Irish Republican Army) set fire to the building. A key moment in the conflict, representing the growing hostility towards British rule. The dome collapsed completely, and the interior was reduced to ashes. However, after the war, the Custom House was rebuilt, its dome rising once again and its interior fully restored. When Ireland gained independence in 1922, the building retained an administrative role. Today, this is the Department of the Environment. If you’d like to explore this impressive landmark up close, consider coming back for a guided tour. You’ll get to admire the magnificent main hall and its ornate frescoed ceiling. You can also learn more about Dublin’s evolution throughout the centuries, with historical artifacts and maps, as well as fascinating facts about the fire and its impact on the Irish revolution. A visit in the heart of history in a truly majestic setting!