O'Connell Bridge

O’Connell Bridge spans the River Liffey and divides Dublin City between the ‘South Side’ and the ‘North Side,’ the two main tribal areas of Dublin. Traditionally the ‘South Side’ is upper-class while the ‘North Side’ is working class although in recent years with the expansion of Dublin City, the division has been blurred.

The original bridge was called Carlisle Bridge which was finished in 1794 was designed by James Gandon who was a famous architect in Dublin who was also responsible for the Custom House and the Four Courts. The bridge joined Sackville Street (now O’Connell Street) and D’Olier Street and was so named after the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Fredrick Howard who was the 5th Earl of Carlisle.

By 1879 the bridge needed to be extended to match the width of Sackville Street to aid both the flow of traffic and to improve the streetscape of the area. When the bridge was reopened in the 1880s the bridge was renamed in honour of Daniel O’Connell, the famous political activist who fought for Irish freedom from England through peaceful means.

In terms of Europe, the bridge is unique because the bridge is wider than it is long. Today the bridge carries much of the pedestrian and vehicular traffic across Ireland. It is beautifully presented with sculptures, flowers and lamps. Recently a plaque dedicated to Father Pat Noise was found on the bridge in a blank spot in the bridge which marked the millennium. Farther Pat Noise is fictitious character.

This plaque commemorates Fr. Pat Noise
Advisor to Peadar Clancey.
He died under suspicious circumstances when his carriage plunged
into the Liffey on August 10th 1919.
Erected by the HSTI

Copyright @ Malone Car Hire Ireland