The Custom House in Dublin is regarded as one of the jewels in the city’s architectural crown. A masterpiece of European neo-classicism, it took 10 years to build and was completed in 1791. It cost the then not inconsiderable sum of 200,000 sterling.
It was the greatest achievement of James Gandon who had been brought over from England to carry out the work. Gandon had been chosen by John Beresford, Chief Revenue Commissioner and a small coterie of the Irish ascendency who were then in the process of enhancing the streets and public buildings of Dublin.
The sculptures which are located in various parts of the building were by the famous Irish sculptor, Edward Smyth.
Initially the building was exclusively the headquarters of the Commissioners of Custom and Excise; however by the beginning of the twentieth century, the dominant role of the Custom House was in relation to local government. The building was burnt to the ground on 25 May, 1921 during the Irish War of Independence; restoration work was competed by 1928.
A second programme of restoration began in the 1980s and was completed in time for the bi-centenary of the Custom House in 1991.
DUBLIN FIRE BRIGADE MAINTENANCE DEPOT AT THE END OF STABLE LANE
Late in 2017 stoneybatter residents indicated to local politicians that they were concerned about the possibility of the Dublin Fire Brigade Depot on Stable Lane, just off North Brunswick Street being sold by Dublin City Council. These concerns arose because of the level of development taking place on sites located near to the City Council owned site.
In response the Chief Executive advised that Dublin Fire Brigade uses the site on Stable Lane for its workshop, garage, stores, laundry. The Fire Brigade also uses it for the sterilisation of its equipment and Ambulances. The reserve fleet is located at this facility. The Chief Executive confirmed that Dublin Fire Brigade will continue to use these vital facilities “until alternative arrangements are made”.
Dublin City’s first municipal fire engines were delivered in 1705. Throughout the second half of the 18th Century, insurance brigades were the primary source of firefighting for the city, operating independently for buildings bearing the mark of their respective insurance companies.
Eventually the brigades began to co-operate on a competition basis with the first brigade on scene being the highest paid. It wasn’t until 1862 with the enactment of the Dublin Corporation Act, that the city had an organised fire brigade.
Dublin man J.R. Ingram became the first superintendent of the brigade, having worked as a fireman in New York and London. The brigade consisted of 24 men with a makeshift fire brigade station on Winetavern Street in The Liberties. In 1898 the Dublin Fire Brigade Ambulance Service was established. The turn of the century saw the brigade have its first fire stations and permanent headquarters built, with the first motorised fire engine coming on stream in 1909.
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