Seán Heuston Bridge


Seán Heuston Bridge is a cast-iron bridge spanning the River Liffey beside Heuston Station, Dublin. It was previously named King's Bridge and Sarsfield Bridge - and the bridge and adjacent train station are still commonly referred to by older Dubliners as "Kings Bridge" and "Kings Bridge Station" respectively. Previously used for road traffic, the bridge now carries pedestrian and Luas traffic.

History

Origins

Originally designed by George Papworth to carry horsedrawn traffic, the foundation stone was laid on 12 December 1827. The iron castings for the bridge were produced at the Royal Phoenix Iron Works in nearby Parkgate Street.. Construction completed in 1828, and the bridge was opened with the name Kings Bridge to commemorate a visit by King George IV in 1821.
The bridge has an overall width of just under 9 meters.

Renamings

In 1923 the bridge was renamed as Sarsfield Bridge after Patrick Sarsfield, and in 1941 it was again renamed as the Seán Heuston Bridge for Seán Heuston, who was executed for his part in the 1916 Easter Rising.

Luas

After the Frank Sherwin Bridge was opened nearby in the 1980s, Seán Heuston Bridge was no longer used to carry road traffic. It was restored in 2003 and now carries Luas tram traffic on the red line.