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113 RORY BRESLIN (B.1963)River God
Bronze on Kilkenny Limestone, 88.5cm high x 41.5 wide (35 x 16 “)
No. 1 of an edition of 3
The Erne Mask is a twice actual size interpretation of John Smyth’s River-God key-
stone depiction on the South facade of Dublin’s Customs House. Bearing fishy life
in abundance, salmon, a pike with an eel in its jaws, shells and some of the flora
of the Erne’s banks, bullrushes, wildflowers etc., the River God’s moustache and
beard are rendered in a fashion which suggests the Erne’s slow flowing waters.
In 1773, on the recommendation of the right Hon. John Beresford, Chief Commis-
sioner of Revenue, it was decided that a new Customs House be built on the site
of what was then called the North Lots. Designed by James Gandon, it was com-
pleted in 1791 at a cost of nearly half a million pounds. The Erne keystone, one
of fourteen emblematic renditions of the larger rivers of Ireland, is positioned to
the left of the Doric tetra-style portico facing the Liffey. The River-Gods have sur-
vived the fires of 1789 and 1883 and the most devastating fire of May 25th 1921.
€ 5,000 - 7,000