About Custom House
Dominating Custom House Quay in the heart of Dublin Docklands, the Custom House is an architectural masterpiece and pivotal historic site, designed by James Gandon and completed in 1791. This neoclassical icon with its 14.5m copper dome and 16-sided lantern symbolised British control over Irish trade, overseeing customs duties from the once-bustling port. Survived two arson attempts in 1791 and 1921, it now houses Revenue Commissioners offices, but guided tours reveal opulent interiors: Portland stone facade, Coade stone river god sculptures by Edward Smyth, and grand rotunda with Irish oak staircase. From here, gaze over Liffey to North Wall, evoking 18th-century commerce amid today's tech towers.
What to Expect
45-minute tours (book ahead) cover history, architecture, and ghost stories; climb to dome for panoramic views. Exhibits detail port life, smuggling tales, and 1921 burning during Irish Civil War.
Insider Tips
Tours run select days; pair with EPIC next door. Sunset photos from quay are magic. As a Dubliner, I tip arriving by Luas Red Line to Point stop for seamless access. Essential for 'historic sites Docklands Dublin' searches, blending grandeur with gritty tales.