page_title: O'Connell Bridge
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: O'Connell Bridge / History
caption_attribution_description: English: O'Connell Bridge in the heart of Dublin - we've been here before, but I'm completely unapologetic, because this is so great - a motorbike with sidecar being just one of the gems! Date: Circa 20th May to 4th June 1932 (from Over the Hill playing at the Corinthian Cinema) NLI Ref.: EAS_1742
context_page_description: O'Connell Bridge is a road bridge spanning the River Liffey in Dublin, and joining O'Connell Street to D'Olier Street, Westmoreland Street and the south quays.
context_section_description: The original bridge (named Carlisle Bridge for the then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland – Frederick Howard, 5th Earl of Carlisle) was designed by James Gandon, and built between 1791 and 1794.
  Originally humped, and narrower, Carlisle bridge was a symmetrical, three semicircular arch structure constructed in granite with a Portland stone balustrade and obelisks on each of the four corners.  A keystone head at the apex of the central span symbolises the River Liffey, corresponding to the heads on the Custom House (also designed by James Gandon) which personify the other great rivers of Ireland.
  Since 1860, (following similar work on Essex Bridge – now Grattan Bridge), to improve the streetscape and relieve traffic congestion on the bridge, it was intended to widen Carlisle Bridge to bring it to the same width as 70 metres (230 ft) wide Sackville Street (now O'Connell Street) which formed the north side carriageway connection to the Bridge. Between 1877 and 1880 the bridge was reconstructed and widened. As can be seen on orthophotography  it spans now 45 m of the Liffey and is about 50 m wide. 
  When the bridge was reopened c.1882 it was renamed for Daniel O'Connell when the statue in his honour was unveiled.
  In recent years, the lamps that graced the central island have been restored to their five lantern glory. In 2004, a pair of pranksters installed a plaque on the bridge dedicated to Father Pat Noise, which remained unnoticed until May 2006, and was still there as of June 2020.
caption: Straight on or left or right to Westmoreland Street only. A busy scene from the 1930s with Dublin United Tramways Company trams.
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