1886 – Dollard House, Wellington Quay, Dublin

Fronting onto the quays, the former Dollard’s Printworks is now offices. Sited close to the site of the original Custom House by Thomas Burgh, the design with its arched entrances and dormer windows is quite reminiscent of Burgh’s work, although taller. The rear with its exposed basement seems much more severe. The old Custom House of 1707 was a three storey building with a mansard roof and was used as a barracks for a time until it was demolished.

“However, this review would be altogether incomplete if we did not comment on the specimen of architectural art seen in the noble building constructed in the year 1886, for the wholesale and retail sale of the many celebrated papers and other articles of stationery manufactured. Along the whole line of quays we know of no structure that can rival Mr. Dollard’s establishment on Wellington Quay, either in beauty or size. Raised above the other large establishments in loftiness, and with an extension of fully 300 feet, its enormous size alone would suffice to create a feeling of astonishment in the stranger who sees it for the first time; but the astonishment would alone give way to amazement at the beauty of its mosaic passages and ornamentations of ceiling, walls, and floors of interior departments. Though were we never to enter its portals, the belief would be impressed on our minds that its exterior frontage of red bricking is, in design, unequalled amongst the many famous architectural buildings in which our city so justly claims pre-eminence for beauty and artistic style. ”
The Industries of Dublin, S. Blackett, 1887