Custom House Visitor Centre: A Story of Architecture and Irish History

Located on the north bank of the River Liffey in Dublin, the Custom House Visitor Centre explores the captivating history of the Custom House, an architectural masterpiece designed by James Gandon. The building has witnessed some of the most turbulent milestones in Irish history, from the Act of Union to the War of Independence. The visitor center highlights the building's magnificent architecture and its history from the 1700s to the present day. The Custom House was completed at a cost of £200,000, though its planning was not initially popular with Dublin's merchants. The building served as one of the strongholds of the British Army during that fateful week and up to 200 people were imprisoned in the courtyard of the Custom House during the Easter 1916 Rising. In May 1921, during the Irish War of Independence, the Dublin Brigade of the IRA attacked the building, setting it on fire. The fire lasted for five days, and all that survived was the shell. The Custom House has now opened its doors to visitors as one of Dublin's newest and most exciting attractions. The exhibition at the Custom House Visitor Centre can be viewed through a self-guided visit or with a guided tour. Audio guides and information leaflets are also available in multiple languages.