Dubliners once paid a halfpenny to cross this bridge, the toll disappeared a century ago but the name never did.
About Ha'penny Bridge
Built in 1816 by ironworks manufacturer John Windsor as a replacement for the Liffey ferries, the bridge charged a halfpenny toll until 1919. It was restored in 2001 with new lanterns faithful to the original design. It has been a protected structure since the 1990s and is the oldest pedestrian bridge over the Liffey.
Ha'penny Bridge in short
The Ha'penny Bridge is a cast-iron pedestrian bridge over the River Liffey in central Dublin, connecting Temple Bar on the south bank to the Liffey Street area on the north. Built in 1816, it is the oldest pedestrian bridge in Dublin and one of the most recognised landmarks in the city.
“The Ha'penny Bridge is a cast-iron pedestrian bridge over the River Liffey in central Dublin, connecting Temple Bar on the south bank to the Liffey Street area on the north.”
Ha'penny Bridge, Ireland
A Toll Bridge That Became an Icon
The bridge was built by John Windsor of Shropshire as a replacement for a ferry service, and originally required a halfpenny toll to cross, which gave it its name. The toll was abolished in 1919, but the name stuck. The elliptical arch spans about 43 metres and is made of cast iron, painted white, with decorative railings and three old-style lanterns along its length. For a relatively small structure, it carries disproportionate weight in Dublin's identity. It connects the busy nightlife area of Temple Bar to the shopping streets north of the river, so it sees enormous foot traffic day and night. At night the lanterns and the white ironwork reflect in the dark water, and the bridge photographs from either quay is one of Dublin's classic images.
The Experience
You cross in about a minute, but the bridge is best experienced slowly. From the centre, you can look upriver and downriver along the quays, with the city reflected in the dark Liffey water. At night, the white-painted ironwork and old-style lanterns glow against the river. Walking from Temple Bar across to the north side, you move from cobblestone pub streets to the commercial bustle of Henry Street.
Why It Matters
The Ha'penny Bridge is the oldest pedestrian bridge over the Liffey and one of the defining landmarks of Dublin's streetscape. Its modest scale and elegant ironwork make it a symbol of the city, and it remains one of the most-crossed bridges in Ireland.
Why Visit
Dublin's most iconic bridge, a graceful cast-iron arch from 1816 that connects Temple Bar to the north bank and glows over the Liffey at night.
Insider Tips
- 1
Cross at night for the best photographs of the reflected lanterns.
- 2
It is a pedestrian-only bridge at the core of central Dublin.
- 3
Combine with a walk along the Liffey quays in either direction.
