Ha'penny Bridge
Dublin
Ha'penny Bridge is the cast-iron bridge over the River Liffey, in the city centre. It opened in 1816 and links Liffey Street with the south bank, opposite Merchant's Arch.
A bridge you paid to cross
The bridge was the idea of two city councillors, John Beresford and William Walsh. Walsh won the right to charge everyone who crossed, and he did well out of it. The price was half a penny, and that is where the nickname came from.
The official name changed several times. At first the bridge was dedicated to the Duke of Wellington. Today it is called the Liffey Bridge, but to everyone it is still the Ha'penny Bridge.
What to look at
The bridge has a single span, one low and long leap from bank to bank. It is made of cast-iron pieces held together by bolts. It was designed by John Windsor. Decorated arches curve over the walkway and hold up the lamps.
A bridge that was saved
For many years the bridge was neglected. It was covered in adverts, and its wooden deck was covered with asphalt. In the 1980s there was even talk of building a station nearby.
In 2001 came a major restoration. Much of the original cast-iron decoration was kept. Today the bridge is one of the symbols of the city, and thousands of people cross it every day.
