The bridge was originally officially known as the Wellington Bridge in honor of the Duke of Wellington.
The tolls were collected by turnstiles placed at both ends of the bridge, which were removed in 1919.
Before the bridge was built, the seven ferries serving the crossing were described by the Lord Mayor of Dublin as being in a 'scandalous' and 'unsafe' condition.
The bridge's original color was white, though it has been painted several different colors throughout its history including black and blue.
The bridge carries approximately 30,000 pedestrians across the Liffey every day.
Its construction cost was estimated at approximately 3,000 pounds in 1816.
The Ha'penny Bridge is an iconic cast-iron pedestrian bridge crossing the River Liffey in Dublin, officially named the Liffey Bridge. Constructed in 1816, it replaced seven inefficient cross-river ferries that were owned by William Walsh. Walsh was granted a lease to operate a toll bridge for 100 years, requiring pedestrians to pay a halfpenny fee to cross. The toll was abolished in 1919 when the lease expired. The bridge was manufactured in Shropshire, England, using cast iron, and assembled on-site. Its distinctive elliptical arch profile spans 43 meters across the river. It underwent a major restoration in 2001 to address structural degradation and clean the original ironwork. It remains the only cast-iron bridge in Dublin city and is a protected structure.
From the Liffey Boardwalk on the north bank at water level for a full view of the arch.
Visit during the early morning hours to photograph the bridge without crowds.
Watch for cyclists, as the bridge is technically pedestrian-only but is frequently used as a shortcut by commuters.
Use the bridge to easily transition between the shopping districts of the Northside and the cultural sites of Temple Bar.
Do not attempt to attach 'love locks' to the iron railings; they are periodically removed by the city to preserve the bridge's structural integrity.
