Ha'penny Iron Bridge across the River Liffey, Dublin. Previously called the Wellington Bridge. Raised as a "testimonial" to the "Iron Duke," it was designed by the ironfounder John Windsor at the Coalbrookdale works in Shropshire, where he was a foreman. This was the same works that had been was responsible for the world's first iron bridge begun as early as 1779. The Dublin one was constructed in 1816 and is a well-used single-span iron footbridge across the river, which divides the city between north and south.
The bridge has ashlar granite abutments and granite steps at each end, and timber decking, but otherwise consists of "low-rise elliptical arch of cast-iron bolted segments, with cast-iron railed parapet, and having three decorative pierced ogee-profile overarching lamp standards with cast-iron lamps" ("Ha'penny Bridge/Liffey Bridge"). It takes its unusual name from its earlier status as a toll bridge. As its entry in Grace's Guide says, "The design is remarkably elegant, with long, shallow arches and slender ligaments," and it is a much-loved feature of the city.
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Photograph by George P. Landow 1965. Text added by Jacqueline Banerjee. [You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL or cite it in a print one.]
Bibliography
"Ha'penny Bridge/Liffey Bridge, Dublin, DUBLIN." National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Web. 26 August 2022.
"Liffey Bridge." Grace's Guide. Web. 26 August 2022.
"Windsor, John." Dictionary of Irish Architects, 1720-1940. Web. 26 August 2022.
Last modified 20 January 2002