Ha'penny Bridge
On Gingerguide's self-guided Dublin audio tour, Ha'penny Bridge is a stop worth about ~20 min. Stand in front of it, press play for a short narrated story, and put any follow-up question to the built-in AI guide.
- Type bridge
- Suggested visit ~20 min
- Dublin Dublin guide
About Ha'penny Bridge
Dublin's most iconic bridge, a beautiful cast-iron pedestrian footbridge over the Liffey, built in 1816 and named for the halfpenny toll once charged to cross it.
The Ha'penny Bridge is perhaps the single most photographed object in Dublin, its elegant white cast-iron arch reflected in the dark waters of the Liffey becoming the city's most recognisable image. Built in 1816 by Coalbrookdale ironworks in England, it was the first cast-iron pedestrian bridge in Ireland and one of the earliest in Europe.
The bridge was constructed to replace the ferry service that had operated at this point on the Liffey for centuries, run by one William Walsh. In exchange for giving up his ferry rights, Walsh was granted permission to charge a toll of half a penny, a ha'penny, to cross. The toll booths on either side of the bridge were removed in 1919. The official name of the bridge is the Liffey Bridge, but not a single Dubliner uses it; it has been the Ha'penny Bridge since the day it opened.
The bridge was restored in 2001, its original white paint refreshed and its ornate lamp standards reinstated. In recent years, the railings have been festooned with padlocks left by couples, a Dublin version of the 'love lock' tradition seen on bridges across Europe.
Did you know? The bridge's official name is the Liffey Bridge, but no Dubliner has ever used it, it has been called Ha'penny Bridge since its opening in 1816.
How much time do you need at Ha'penny Bridge?
Around ~20 min works well for Ha'penny Bridge — time to look properly and listen to its story on the spot. Linger if you like; nothing on a self-guided walk is on a clock.
Should you stop at Ha'penny Bridge?
Yes — Ha'penny Bridge made the cut as one of 42 places the Gingerguide team researched and narrated across Dublin. The story tells you why it is worth the stop, and the AI guide fills in anything you still wonder.
Nearby stops in Dublin
Hear the story of Ha'penny Bridge
Preview the Dublin tour free in the Gingerguide app.