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Edward Smyth's 14 River Heads
Fourteen carved stone heads, the work of Edward Smyth, crown the arches of windows and doors on the Custom House's ground floor. They represent Ireland's thirteen principal rivers and the Atlantic Ocean, symbolising the commercial routes. Sculpted from Portland stone and completed in 1784, these are Smyth's finest achievement. The only female head depicts the River Liffey, positioned above the central entrance on the south façade, gazing towards the river itself. A remarkable example of neoclassical craftsmanship in the heart of Dublin's docklands.
Central Dome
The Central Dome is the Custom House's most iconic feature, designed by James Gandon and crowned with a sculpture representing commerce by Henry Banks. Destroyed entirely in the 1921 fire, it was reconstructed using Irish limestone from Ardbraccan, which is noticeably darker than the original Portland stone. The dome remains a striking architectural element when you visit Dublin's Custom House.
- 1.Edward Smyth's 14 River Heads
- 2.Central Dome
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