Riverheads of Ireland
(Heads of the River Gods)
Riverheads of Ireland (Heads of the River Gods) James Gandon's Custom House in Dublin is considered by many to be Ireland's greatest architectural masterpiece. Standing alongside the river Liffey it was built in the 1780's overlooking what was then the main docks. Gandon employed Edward Smyth to carry out the sculpture work for the building. Included amongst this work are fourteen heads on the keystones of arches of the main doorways and windows. These magnificent carvings represent thirteen of the most important rivers in Ireland and the Atlantic Ocean.
Shannon Riverhead The greatest of the Irish rivers - the lordly Shannon - features oak leaves and acorns, themselves symbols of strength and nobility. The trident represents Limerick Cit y's sovereignty over the mighty estuary.
Bann Riverhead The Bann head has a happy smiling face above which is a turban of linen representing the important flax growing and linen weaving industries of the upper reaches. The head also features pearls and berries.
Liffey Riverhead The Liffey is the only female riverhead and occupies the place of honour facing onto the quays and the river. The face is crowned by flowers and fruits and superimposed by a trident representing the city's powers over the waters of Dublin Bay and the Irish Sea.
Lagan Riverhead The Lagan face is relatively young as Belfast City was in the 1780's. Beneath the face are folds of linen representing the main industry of the area. The head is crowned by two intertwined swans above flowers and bulrushes.
Barrow Riverhead The face is very sullen with a long drawn mouth. The beard features many small fish. A sheep with its forelegs hanging down adorns the top of the head with an urn at either side.
Blackwater Riverhead This head features a basket of apples. In eighteenth centuryWaterford County was renowned for its cider making. Immediately above the eyes is a multitude of small fishes.
Lee Riverhead The sea trade through Cork and Cobh, one of the most important ports in Ireland, is portrayed above the Lee. An upturned anchor is shown between the prows of two ships with truncated bowsprits. The ships are laden with barrels and bales.
Nore Riverhead The Nore, a relatively slow moving river, is represented by a sleeping yet strong face and features above it a fishing net.
Boyne Riverhead The Boyne head features the date "1690" - the year of the battle of the Boyne when Catholic King James was defeated by King William (Billy) of Orange.
Erne Riverhead The River Erne head is surmounted by an abundance of varied fish life which can be found along the river's course through a myriad of lakes.
Slaney Riverhead The Slaney head embellishments portray the one time abundance of shell fish in Wexford Harbour and features a very large crab.
Foyle Riverhead The Foyle head takes for its embellishment the historic siege and relief of the City of Derry which lies at the mouth of the river in Lough Foyle. A strong face is surmounted by a headband bearing the date "1689" above which is a representation of the relieving force breaking through an enormous chain stretched across the river between castle fortresses.
Suir Riverhead All the ornamentation of the River Suir concerns the wool trade. Above the face is draped the fleece of a sheep and three bobbins surmounting folds of cloth.
Atlantic Ocean The head representing the Atlantic Ocean features Neptune's trident upholding a crescent shaped moon, indicative of the relationship between the moon and the tides. To one side is a compass chart and to the other is the compass box top bearing the name "Atlantic". There is a string of pearls above the eyebrows. Dolphins intermingle with the beard.
Shannon Bann Liffey Barrow Lagan Blackwater Lee Boyne Nore Erne Slaney Foyle Suir Atlantic Ocean