Ringsend Bridge is a bridge over the

River Dodder The River Dodder () is one of the three main rivers in Dublin, Ireland, the others being the River Liffey, Liffey, of which the Dodder is the largest tributary, and the River Tolka, Tolka. Course and system The Dodder rises on the northern s ...

Dublin Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...

, Ireland. The current bridge was opened in 1812 after the previous structure was destroyed in a flood in 1802. The bridge is part of the R802 regional road and is part of Bridge Street.

History

In 1623 Richard Morgan first petitioned Dublin Corporation to build a bridge but this was declined. A bridge was built in 1650 and this lasted until 1739 when it was washed away in a flood, as mentioned in the Pembroke Estate Papers. The new bridge lasted only until 1782 when another flood destroyed the structure.

1786 bridge

A replacement bridge was begun in 1786 but was destroyed by yet another flood the following year. An illustration by John James Barralet from 1787 shows people clambering over makeshift planks attached to the collapsed bridge.

1789 bridge

A fourth bridge was built from 1787-89 after a competition was held but this succumbed to a flood in December 1802 when over 3 inches of rain fell in 24 hours. Prior to its destruction, it was described as being of "very solid and judicious construction" with a Mr. Black being noted as the contractor. The same storm also destroyed Ormonde Bridge and Lucan Bridge on the nearby River Liffey.

Modern bridge

The current structure was begun in 1803 and finally completed in 1812. It appears to have been both designed and built by Dublin Corporation. It is a single arch of elliptical shape. The bridge notably has spandrel walls constructed as extensions of the

voussoirs A voussoir (British English, UK: ; American English, US: ) is a wedge-shaped element, typically a stone, which is used in building an arch or vault (architecture), vault.“Voussoir, N., Pronunciation.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford Univers ...

and features cornes de vache in the French style. The bridge was originally named Charlotte Bridge for Princess Charlottle, daughter of the Prince Regent, later

George IV George IV (George Augustus Frederick; 12 August 1762 – 26 June 1830) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and King of Hanover from 29 January 1820 until his death in 1830. At the time of his accession to the throne, h ...

External links

Picture of the ruined bridge in 1787

References

Bridges completed in 1812 Bridges in Dublin (city) Dublin Docklands Ringsend {{Ireland-bridge-struct-stub