Custom House

Dublin


Georgian genius James Gandon (1743–1823) announced his arrival on the Dublin scene with this magnificent building constructed over 10 years between 1781 and 1791, just past Eden Quay at a wide section of the River Liffey. It's a colossal, neoclassical pile that stretches for 114m and is topped by a copper dome.

Best appreciated from the south side of the Liffey, its fine detail deserves closer inspection. Below the frieze are heads representing the gods of Ireland's 13 principal rivers; the sole female head, above the main door, represents the River Liffey. The cattle heads honour Dublin's beef trade, and the statues behind the building represent Africa, America, Asia and Europe. Set into the dome are four clocks and, above that, a 5m-high statue of Hope.

Transportation

  • bus: all city centre

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Dublin attractions

1. James Connolly Memorial

0.07 MILES

Ireland’s most famous socialist, James Connolly (1868–1916), is depicted proudly in front of the plough and stars of his Irish Citizen Army. An…

2. Liberty Hall

0.09 MILES

Dublin's second-tallest storied building is either a modernist masterpiece or an unconscionable eyesore, depending on how you see modern architecture. It…

3. Famine Memorial

0.14 MILES

Just east of the Custom House is one of Dublin's most thought-provoking (and photographed) examples of public art: the set of life-size bronze figures …

4. Irish Family History Centre

0.21 MILES

Discover your family history with interactive screens where you can track your surname and centuries of Irish emigration. The ticket price includes a 15…

5. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

0.23 MILES

This is a high-tech, interactive exploration of emigration and its effect on Ireland and the 70 million or so people spread throughout the world who claim…

6. Daniel O'Connell Statue

0.27 MILES

The big daddy of O'Connell St's collection of statuary is the 'Liberator' himself, Daniel O'Connell (1775–1847), whose massive bronze bulk soars high…

7. Printing House

0.27 MILES

Richard Cassel's first independent work in Dublin, dating from 1734, is this building with a Doric temple front with four free-standing pillars.

8. Jim Larkin Statue

0.28 MILES

The most dynamic statue along O'Connell St is that of trade-union leader Jim Larkin (1876–1947) by Oisin Kelly, just south of the General Post Office…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "ireland/dublin/docklands/attractions/custom-house/a/poi-sig/1213944/1321747",
      "destination": "Dublin",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Ireland",
      "city": "Dublin",
      "position": "superzone"
    }