Custom House, Dublin
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JPEG imageItem Type:
ImageDate:
2008-09-12Download Item:
cgjc1474.jpg (JPEG image) 353.3KbDescription:
'The Custom House is often considered architecturally the most important building in Dublin and is sited on the river front with Beresford Place to the rear. The Custom House was the first major public building built in Dublin as an isolated structure with four monumental facades. The previous Custom House by Thomas Burgh and built in 1707 was sited up river at Essex Quay and was judged as unsafe just seventy years later. The site chosen for the new Custom House met with much opposition from city merchants who feared that its move down river would lessen the value of their properties while making the property owners to the east wealthier. The decision to built further down river was forced by the Rt. Hon. John Beresford (1738-1805) who was appointed Chief Commissioner from 1780 onwards and was instrumental in bringing James Gandon to Ireland. He favoured shifting the city centre eastwards from the Capel - Parliament Street axis towards a new axis on College Green with Drogheda Street and the construction of a new bridge linking the two sides.' (www.irish-architecture.com)Role:
artistCulture:
IrishDimensions/Extent:
25 cm x 40 cmWork:
paintingRole:
artistType of material:
ImageAvailability:
Full text availablePeriod:
19th centuryLicences: