Timeline

• 1781
  

  The Iron Bridge, cast at Coalbrookdale and designed by Thomas Telford, opens across the River Severn. It is the first cast iron arch bridge in the world.

• 1807

  Arthur Wellesley is named as First Secretary for Ireland.

• 1815

  Napoleon is defeated at Battle of Waterloo.

• 1816

  On the 19th of May, Wellington Bridge opens as the Liffey’s first pedestrian bridge and one of the world’s first cast iron bridges.

• 1827
  

  Arthur Wellesley, now the Duke of Wellington, becomes Commander in Chief of the British Army.

• 1829

  Catholic Emancipation is granted. Wellesley as British prime minister is instrumental in the bill passing through the London parliament.

• 1913
  

  Dublin Corporation adopts a proposal by Hugh Lane to replace the Ha’penny Bridge with the Dublin Gallery on the River. The idea was later quietly dropped.

• 1916

  The bridge lease ends and ownership reverts to Dublin Corporation.

• 1919

  Tolls are no longer payable to cross Ha’penny Bridge.

• 1922

  The bridge is officially named the Liffey Bridge.

• 1998

  Dublin City Council’s structural assessment of the bridge shows the need for action.

• 2001
  

  Dublin’s Lord Mayor sings Molly Malone at the opening of the newly refurbished Ha’penny Bridge. Having no scissors to cut the ribbon, he is supplied with a small nail scissors by an onlooker.

• 2002

  The bridge refurbishment is awarded a diploma prize in the Europa Nostra Awards for careful restoration while meeting modern safety standards.