O’Connell Bridge

If you're living in Dublin, there's no need to introduce O'Connell Bridge. You probably cross it daily!

However, there are a few facts and oddities about this bridge that maybe you didn't know about :)

O’Connell Bridge was originally made of rope and could only carry one man and a donkey at a time. It was replaced with a wooden structure in 1801. There are obviously no pictures of the time! To get an idea, the original O'Connell Bridge must have been something similar to this rope bridge, would you be happy to cross this daily?

The current concrete bridge was built in 1863 and was first called “Carlisle Bridge”. Here's an old picture from Carlisle Bridge in 1870. 

O’Connell Bridge is the only traffic bridge in Europe, which is wider than it is long. If you don't believe it, just take a look at this aerial picture!

There are two O'Connell Bridges in Dublin. The second one is across the pond in Stephen's Green, on the left-hand picture.