Crossing Dublin’s Heart at the Ha’penny Bridge
Sometimes, with all the spectacular marvels and historical heritage sites that Dublin has to offer, we tend to forget the mundane places where history truly shone.
That’s the beauty of Ha’penny Bridge. It didn’t seem very noteworthy, and when I first went there, I barely felt anything. However, it’s in learning about what it has given us and what it has given those from the past that truly reveals its beauty and significance.
So, let us explore one of Dublin’s most notable bridges. While it’s simply just a bridge, there’s a lot to learn and explore.
What is Ha’penny Bridge Known for?
Ha’penny Bridge is the oldest pedestrian crossing bridge located on the River Liffey. Here, you’ll find a cast-iron bridge that has stood the test of time, servicing Dublin’s citizens from 1816 until today.
Best Time to Go to Ha’penny Bridge
Seeing as Ha’penny Bridge is a pedestrian bridge, there’s truly no best time to head there. If you are looking to take wonderful photos at the bridge, as is the tourist custom, we’d suggest heading in the early mornings or just before sunset for the best photos.
Things to Know About Ha’penny Bridge
Address: Ha’penny Bridge is located in North City, Dublin, Ireland. It’s close to popular tourist spots, including Temple Bar, Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin City Hall, and Trinity College.
Operating Hours: The Ha’penny Bridge is a pedestrian bridge; as such, it’s open 24 hours a day, every day. The only times it will become inaccessible are when it’s being repaired or renovated, as it was during 2001.
Parking: There are quite a few different places where you can park when heading to Ha’penny Bridge. We’d highly suggest looking for parking at Temple Bar, as that’s where most people would go after heading to Ha’penny Bridge.
Contact Information: As Ha’penny Bridge falls under the jurisdiction of Dublin City Council, you can contact them through their mobile number at 01 222 2222, 01 222 3150, or 01 222 3155. They also have an email at [email protected]
Pets: Pets are allowed at the bridge, seeing as it is a pedestrian space. However, you must follow Dublin City’s rules when it comes to pets, which are very strict and require owners to have their pets on leashes or in designated pet transport.
Accessibility at Ha’penny Bridge
Ha’penny Bridge is not accessible to wheelchair users, as it features steps on either side of the bridge. Even if you are able to get on the bridge, the bridge itself is quite steep and might lead to accidents if you try to travel on it on your own.
How to Get to Ha’penny Bridge
Car: Ha’penny Bridge can be accessed from either side of the River Liffey. When heading here, you can head to either Crampton or Wellington Quay or Aston Quay, which are roads located on either side of Ha’penny Bridge.
Dublin Bus: There are a few Dublin Bus routes that travel near Ha’penny Bridge. Here are the selected routes, as well as the specific stops at which you need to get off.
| Dublin Bus Route | Bus Stop | Operating Hours |
| Route 26 | Bachelor’s Walk Stop | Monday to Friday:5:45 AM – 11:25 PM Saturday:6:15 AM – 11:25 PM Sunday:7:00 AM – 11:25 PM |
| Route 37 | Aston Quay Stop | Monday to Friday:5:35 AM – 11:30 PM Saturday:6:30 AM – 11:30 PM Sunday:9:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Route 39 | Aston Quay Stop | Monday to Friday:6:22 AM – 11:00 PM Saturday:6:45 AM – 11:00 PM Sunday:8:47 AM – 11:02 PM |
| Route 39A | Aston Quay Stop | Monday to Sunday:4:00 AM – 3:30 AM |
| Route 52 | Bachelor’s Walk Stop | Monday to Friday:4:55 AM – 10:50 PM Saturday:6:05 AM – 10:50 PM Sunday:8:05 AM – 10:50 PM |
| Route 69 | Aston Quay Stop | Monday to Friday:6:15 AM – 11:15 PM Saturday:6:20 AM – 11:15 PM Sunday:10:00 AM – 11:15 PM |
| Route 70 | Aston Quay Stop | Monday to Saturday:7:00 AM – 11:15 PM Sunday:8:30 AM – 11:15 PM |
| Route 83 | Bachelor’s Walk Stop | Monday to Friday:5:45 AM – 11:20 PM Saturday:6:00 AM – 11:20 PM Sunday:7:20 AM – 11:20 PM |
| Route C1 | Bachelor’s Walk Stop | Monday to Friday:4:48 AM – 3:58 AM Saturday:4:58 AM – 3:58 AM Sunday:5:01 AM – 4:01 AM |
| Route C2 | Bachelor’s Walk Stop | Monday to Friday:5:18 AM – 4:28 AM Saturday to Sunday:5:31 AM – 4:31 AM |
Bike: You can easily head to Ha’penny Bridge through the same roads we discussed in the car section. As for parking, there are a few parking spaces at the car parks that we suggested. The closest Dublin Bikes near Ha’penny Bridge is the one at Fownes Street Upper, which is a short walk to the bridge.
LUAS Tram System: The closest LUAS station to Ha’penny Bridge is the one on the Red Line called Jervis LUAS Stop, which is a short walk from the station to the bridge.
Taxi: You can easily take a taxi to Ha’penny Bridge, but it’ll be an expensive option, especially if you’re coming from places outside of Dublin City Centre.
History of Ha’penny Bridge
Ha’penny Bridge was once a bridge owned by William Walsh, wherein you’d pay a ha’penny toll for crossing. There were also turnstiles at either end of the bridge when the toll was still in place. The toll was eventually dropped in 1919.
The bridge underwent a renovation in 2001, during which it was found to have subpar standards for the amount of foot traffic it saw. By December of that same year, the bridge was reopened.
Love Locks
The bridge was once known to have a large number of love locks attached to it. While there is no indication of where these love locks originated, they began to accumulate when the bridge was first renovated in 2001.
These love locks were a symbol of love between two people and were famed worldwide. Many tourists and locals frequented the bridge because of this, and by the end, there were a total of 300 kilograms of locks that were on the bridge.
By 2013, all the locks had been removed from the bridge, and there have since been signs asking people to stop placing them on the bridge. Although we had crossed paths a few times, we still saw a few padlocks, but not as many as there once were.
Things to Do near Ha’penny Bridge
Since Ha’penny Bridge is located near Dublin City Centre, as well as Temple Bar, there are quite a few different experiences that you can find surrounding Dublin’s iconic bridge. Here are a few that we’d highly recommend
Traditional Irish Musical Pub Crawl
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Website: https://www.musicalpubcrawl.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicalpubcrawl
Contact Details: +(353) 1 475 3313
Price Range: €22
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Friday:
- 6:00 PM to 8:15 PM
Since you’re quite near Temple Bar, it shouldn’t be a surprise that we’d highly recommend that you do a pub crawl. This one is special to us because it highlights Traditional Irish Music and pairs it with a nice, cool pint.
You pay around €22 for about a 2 1/2 -hour gig, and yeah, food and drinks aren’t included. However, you can grab snacks or dinner afterwards.
Ha’penny Comedy Club
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Website: https://www.hapennybridgeinn.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HaPennyBridgeInn
Address: 42 Wellington Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 Y103, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 86 251 8620
Price Range: Free
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday, Sunday:
- 9:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Comedy clubs are beloved in Dublin, and this one so happens to be located near the bridge. If you can score a seat, then you’ll have some of the best laughs you’ll experience in the city while staying at a cosy and beloved Dublin Inn.
If you’re into musical pub crawls, this place is usually the starting point for both the 7:30 PM crawl and a slightly earlier 6 PM pub crawl dinner show.
The Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum
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Website: https://irishrocknrollmuseum.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irishrockmuseum
Address: Curved St, Temple Bar, Dublin, D02 RD26, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 89 449 0795
Price Range: €23 – €34
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday:
- 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM
There are quite a few different museums in Dublin, but the Irish Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum is special because of how well it presents one of Ireland’s most beloved music genres. Relive the past 30 years and immerse yourself in the lives of popular Irish musicians.
It’s not one of those boring museums where you just stare at stuff behind glass. Instead, you actually walk through real recording studios and rehearsal rooms where famous Irish bands like U2 and Thin Lizzy have worked.
Temple Bar Gallery + Studios
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Website: https://www.templebargallery.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/templebargalleryandstudios
Address: 5-9 Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 AC84, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 671 0073
Price Range: Free
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday:
- 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday:
- 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
If your visit aligns with a time when there’s an exhibit at Temple Bar Gallery + Studios, then we’d suggest that you head there. You’ll meet some of Ireland’s most talented contemporaries, and you’ll even get a chance to buy the art, if it’s available for sale.
You basically get to wander through a gallery that’s always showcasing new visual art—nothing dusty or dated, it’s fresh and ever-changing.
Where to Eat When Visiting Ha’penny Bridge
Since Ha’penny Bridge is located near some of Dublin’s most popular tourist spots, there are quite a few different restaurants that you should consider visiting. Here are some of our recommendations that you may want to check out.
The Woollen Mills
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Website: https://www.thewoollenmills.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWoollenMills
Address: 42 Ormond Quay Lower, Liffey St. Lower, North City, Dublin 1, D01 H304, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 828 0835
Price Range: €20 – €30
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday:
- 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Thursday to Friday:
- 12:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- Saturday:
- 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM
- Sunday:
- 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
The Woollen Mills is known for having employed James Joyce while he was still alive. Aside from that, they have some of the tastiest brunch food. You should definitely try their Woollen Mills burger as it’s a fantastic burger made from quality Irish produce.
This spot carries a century-long history. It used to be an old textile workshop, and get this: James Joyce actually worked here at one point.
The Winding Stair
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Website: https://www.winding-stair.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewindingstairdublin
Address: 40 Ormond Quay Lower, North City, Dublin 1, D01 R9Y5, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 872 7320
Price Range: €10 – €20
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Tuesday:
- 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Wednesday, Sunday:
- 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Thursday:
- 12:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- Friday to Saturday:
- 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
The charming thing about the Winding Stair is that it’s a bookshop cafe that’s been in Dublin since the 70s. It’s a hub for writers and artists, and we love them for it. It’s the Black Angus striploin that’s the highlight of this place, as it’s so tender and juicy.
The food here? It’s all about good, honest Irish cooking, made with local ingredients from passionate artisan producers. If you’re into seafood, you’ll have to try the creamy chowder, steamed cockles, and those famous Roaring Bay mussels.
Old Mill Restaurant
Website: https://oldmillrestaurant.ie
Address: 14, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 V970, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 671 9266
Price Range: €20 – €30
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday:
- 9:00 AM – 10:30 PM
The Old Mill is a beloved restaurant in Temple Bar, serving a variety of traditional Irish dishes that are sure to fill you with joy. We highly recommend the Traditional Irish Stew, as it’s a comforting dish served with freshly made brown bread and butter.
Merchant’s Arch
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Website: https://www.merchantsarch.ie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Merchantsarch
Address: 48-49 Wellington Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin, D02 EY65, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 607 4010
Price Range: €20 – €30
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday:
- 9:00 AM – 12:30 AM
- Friday to Saturday:
- 9:00 AM – 2:30 AM
- Sunday:
- 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Merchant’s Arch is a lively restaurant that is sure to bring a smile to your face. With chipper music and traditional Irish food, you’ll surely have a good time. The Bangers & Mash is the dish to try, as it’s simple and you wouldn’t expect it to be so delicious.
Where to Stay When Going to Ha’penny Bridge
Since you’ve already found somewhere to eat, how about we recommend some places for you to stay? Ha’penny Bridge has quite a list of hotels and hostels surrounding it, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find one. Here are some of our recommendations.
Gogarty’s Temple Bar Hostel
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Website: https://www.gogartys.ie
Address: 18-21 Anglesea St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 RX38, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 671 1822
Price Range: Starts at €35
Gogarty’s is simply an apartment that you can rent in the heart of Temple Bar. Here you’ll find a fully equipped apartment that’s tailored for you to explore the city while staying in comfort. Don’t worry, you won’t hear the noise of the pubs outside.
What’s awesome is that Gogarty’s seriously stretches over three floors. Downstairs, it’s all snug and classic pub feels. Head up and you’ll hit the music hall, then slide into the restaurant on top with views.
The Morgan Hotel
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Website: https://www.themorgan.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMorganHotel/
Address: 10-12 Fleet St, Temple Bar, Dublin, D02 AT86, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 643 7000
Price Range: Starts at €455
The Morgan Hotel, located in Temple Bar, offers an exquisite 4-star experience at a fairly reasonable price. It offers a peaceful stay, away from the hustle and bustle of Temple Bar, and serves as a perfect getaway to relax and enjoy Dublin City.
Arlington Hotel
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Website: https://www.arlington.ie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheArlingtonHotelOConnellBridge
Address: 23-25 Bachelors Walk, O’Connell Bridge, North City, Dublin 1, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 804 9100
Price Range: Starts at €149
The Arlington Hotel offers a traditional Irish Hotel experience that’s simply one of the best around. It has a simple yet chic atmosphere that’s also friendly and quite welcoming, and their rooms are comfortable and well-decorated for the price.
The building dates back to around 1730, with its distinctive Georgian architecture—a four-storey terraced house feel that still carries its heritage up front, even if the interior is a bit more updated.
The Norseman
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Website: https://www.norseman.ie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNorseman1696
Address: 28E, Essex St E, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 635 1941
Price Range: Starts at €157
While the Norseman is a pub first and foremost, it excels in both roles. They have some of the biggest rooms we’ve seen at this price, and while the rooms are simple, they provide comfort without skimping on other amenities.
Tips When Visiting Ha’penny Bridge
There are quite a few different ways to make your visit to Ha’penny Bridge special. While you can’t leave a lock anymore, we’d still want your visit to be quite memorable for you. Here are some tips to ensure you’ll love your visit to the historic bridge.
| Wear Sunscreen Dublin gets hot, especially in the summer, and the bridge doesn’t offer much shade. To avoid sunburn, we’d suggest wearing sunscreen if you’re planning to stay outdoors for a while. Visit Temple Bar While the bridge is lovely, we wouldn’t expect you to spend your entire day there. Seeing as you’re already at the cusp of Temple Bar, we’d suggest exploring Dublin’s cultural district, as it offers quite a lot in terms of things to do for the day. Use Public TransportDublin’s a city where public transport and walking are more preferred than utilising a private vehicle. If you want to explore every nook and cranny of Dublin, then we’d suggest familiarising yourself with the streets through walking or public transport. Visit Just Before SunsetThe Ha’penny Bridge is most beautiful when it’s bathed in the glorious light of the sunset. If you want wonderful and memorable photos, then heading here in the afternoon will certainly give you the perfect shot for your Instagram. |