james gandon

The three most spectacular buildings in Dublin - the Custom House, the Four Courts and King's Inn - are all the work of James Gandon, an English architect who was persuaded by Lord Beresford to come to Dublin to design his new Custom House in 1781.

The Custom House projest was fiercely opposed by rival interests and there were attacks on the site; Gandon was obliged to wear a sword to work. Even the opening of the buidings in 1791 was carried out in stealth. Gandons next great work, the Four Courts, was also attended by contorversy and political intrigues.
The Kings Inn job had to be completed by Gandon's partner Henry Aaron Baker after he resigned in 1808 following 13 years of difficulties and delay.