The Millenium Bridge, built to commemorate the start of a new millennium, crosses the River Liffey in Dublin, joining Eustace Street in Temple Bar to the north quays in the city centre. It has become an iconic symbol of Dublin, inspired by its timeless neighbours and designed with a modern twist, and is a point of interest for visitors to Ireland’s capital.
The bridge joins the list of famous Dublin bridges that cross the evocative Liffey. Cultural references to the river and its now 24 bridges include Ulysses by James Joyce, Anna Liffey by Eavan Boland and Radiohead’s How to Disappear Completely.
Bordered by the narrow and congested city quays, the building of the bridge proved problematic and there was a worry it would not be up in time to welcome the dawn of the new millennium. Against the odds, the purely pedestrian bridge opened to the public on 20 December 1999, with 11 days to spare.
The Millenium Bridge, made from concrete and lightweight steel, is a modern take on its timeless neighbour, the Ha’penny Bridge. In over 1,000 years of bridge history, the Millenium Bridge is the second pedestrian bridge to cross the river and provides a much-needed connection between trendy Temple Bar and the busy Northside area.
The Millenium Bridge offers unrivalled views across the Liffey as it slices through the centre of Dublin, Ireland’s most iconic city.
