THE Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Críona Ní Dhálaigh, stepped back in time this afteroon as she marked celebrations of the bi-centenary of Dublin’s beloved Ha’penny Bridge.
The Lord mayor conducted a ceremonial crossing of the bridge with descendants of Lord Mayor John Claudius Beresford who commissioned the structure and descendants of John Windsor who designed it in Coalbrookdale in Shropshire.
Speaking at the event, Cllr Ní Dhálaigh said she was delighted to be with the descendants of John Claudius Beresford and John Windsor a the Ha’penny Bridge’s 200th birthday festivities.
“This bridge is a cherished landmark, beloved by Dubliners and visitors alike,” the Lord Mayor said. “ It provides a vital pedestrian link between Merchant’s Arch and Liffey Street and it is used by an estimated 30,000 pedestrians every day to cross the River Liffey. I commend Dublin City Council for restoring the bridge to its former glory and ensuring that it will remain an asset to Dublin city for years to come.”
David Windsor, speaking on behalf of his family added: “It’s a great privilege to have been invited here to represent my great grandfather, John Windsor, who designed and supervised construction of the Ha’penny Bridge.
“At the time, it was at the forefront of technology and would have been a statement that Dublin was a forward looking city. I’m grateful that the people of, and visitors to Dublin have taken it to their hearts and that the city of Dublin has cared for it for future generations to use and admire.”
Ms Melanie Cunningham, speaking on behalf of the Beresford descendent said: “I am delighted to attend the 200th anniversary of the Ha’penny Bridge Dublin. It is great for our family to be part of this wonderful occasion.”
The Ha’penny Bridge was erected in 1816 to replace ferries which brought Dubliners across the River Liffey. It was said to be the first cast iron metal bridge in Ireland and was cast in Coalbrookdale in Shropshire, England. Pedestrians paid a toll of a ha’penny to ensure a safe river crossing which matched the charges levied by the ferries.
The toll was eventually dropped in 1919. The bridge was the only pedestrian bridge on the River Liffey for 184 years, until the Millennium Bridge was opened in 2000.
World renowned as the Ha’penny Bridge, in reference to the toll, the bridge is officially known as the Liffey Bridge since 1922. It has also been known as the Wellington, Metal, Triangle or Iron Bridge. It provides a vital pedestrian link from Merchant’s Arch to Liffey Street on the north side of the Liffey.
Dublin City Council undertook an extensive refurbishment of the bridge in 2001 with engineers and conservationists working together on the award winning restoration. The quality of the work was recognised when it received a European Union Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Award in 2003.