Gandon, James (1743-1823)

English-born Classical architect; one of the most important Georgian architects working in Ireland. Gandon moved from London to Dublin in 1781 to supervise the building of the new Custom House (1781-89), which is widely regarded as his masterpiece. He remained in Ireland for the rest of his life and designed some of Dublin's most significant buildings, including the Four Courts (from 1786); part of the old Irish parliament house, now the Bank of Ireland (1784-89); and the King's Inns (from 1800). He was one of the original members of the Royal Irish Academy, founded in 1785.

Gandon was born in New Bond Street, London, and began his career with an apprenticeship at Shipley's Drawing Academy in St Martin's Lane. He became general assistant to William Chambers, who worked in the neo-Palladian style, and started his own practice in 1765. His association with Ireland began in 1769, when he won second place in an open competition to design the Royal Exchange in Dublin (now the City Hall).