Open Day As Government Building Celebrates 150th Birthday

Custom House is set to join some of Northern Ireland's most prized historical buildings in opening its doors to the public this weekend.

The building, which was completed 150 years ago this year, will be taking part in the first day of European Heritage Open Day weekend on September 8, marking the tenth year of the Europe-wide event.

Doors open between 10am and 4pm and Custom House hopes to exceed last year's 400 visitors.

Custom House was built between 1854 and 1857 and is one of a number of buildings in Northern Ireland designed by architect Charles Lanyon, including Queen's College and Botanic Garden's Palm House, both of which are included in the Open Day.


The steps to the building have been dubbed 'The Speaker's Corner', after trade union leader James Larkin famously addressed crowds of 20,000 here.

The building itself features carved winged statues of classical deities representing Manufacture, Commerce, Industry and Peace. These signify the building's importance throughout the 19th and 20th centuries as the base of Customs and can be found at the front of the building overlooking the river Lagan.

HM Revenue & Customs Head of Estates and Support Services Northern Ireland, Ian Spence said: "We are very privileged to work in such a beautiful historic building and we are delighted to take part in European Heritage Day and to open the doors of Custom House in Belfast. It is a rare opportunity to see inside our building as it is not normally open to the public.

"Visitors on the day will be able to view a display of seized goods including drugs, illegal fuel, seized cigarettes and alcohol, and items banned under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). Our Detection staff will be on hand to answer any questions about the seizures."

(CD/SP)