Dublin’s bridges connect the north and south sides of the city across the River Liffey. Their designs range from eighteenth- and nineteenth-century masonry to cast iron and modern cable-stayed structures, making a walk along the quays an accessible way to read the city’s architectural history.
Ha’penny Bridge
Officially called the Liffey Bridge, the Ha’penny Bridge opened in May 1816. The cast-iron pedestrian bridge connected the quays at a time when ferries had carried people across the river. Its familiar nickname came from the halfpenny toll once charged to cross it.
Millennium Bridge
The Millennium Bridge is a modern pedestrian crossing between Temple Bar and the north quays. It officially opened on 20 December 1999 as part of Dublin’s millennium celebrations and provides a useful central-city route close to the Ha’penny Bridge.
O’Connell Bridge
O’Connell Bridge occupies a central position where O’Connell Street meets the south quays, D’Olier Street and Westmoreland Street. An earlier crossing was known as Carlisle Bridge; the later bridge was renamed for Daniel O’Connell in the nineteenth century. Its broad roadway and location make it one of the busiest visual landmarks on the Liffey.
Samuel Beckett Bridge
Designed by Santiago Calatrava and opened in 2009, the Samuel Beckett Bridge is a cable-stayed swing bridge in the Docklands. Its curved pylon and cables evoke the outline of an Irish harp, and the bridge can rotate to allow maritime traffic to pass.
Exploring the River Liffey
The official Visit Dublin guide to Dublin’s bridges is a useful current reference when planning a riverside walk. Conditions and access can change around events or bridge operations.
For ideas beyond the capital, explore our private tours of Ireland. This link is for broader trip planning and does not imply that a particular bridge is included in every itinerary.
