Ha'Penny Bridge: A Historic Pedestrian Crossing in Dublin

Overview

Ha'Penny Bridge, formally known as the Liffey Bridge, is an iconic pedestrian bridge located in Dublin, connecting Liffey Street Lower to Merchants Arch. Built in 1816, this remarkable elliptical arched structure originally featured a wooden pathway and stretches 43 meters in length and 3 meters in width, rising 3 meters above the water. Today, it serves as a busy thoroughfare, with approximately 30,000 pedestrians crossing it daily. Before its construction, the only means to cross the river were overcrowded ferries that often faced hazardous conditions. The bridge was named after the ha'penny toll charged by William Walsh, the former ferry owner and city alderman, who was compensated for the loss of his ferry service. Though officially named the Liffey Bridge since 1922, it is also referred to by various other names, including Triangle, Iron Bridge, and Wellington. Notably, Ha'Penny Bridge remained the only pedestrian crossing of the Liffey River until the addition of Millennium Bridge in 1999. Experience the allure of this historic site while you traverse its path!