Grattan Bridge, Dublin

With its harmonious blend of aesthetics and proportions, Grattan Bridge stands as a notable gem along the Liffey River. Cast your gaze northward from this vantage point, and you'll behold the urban landscape of Capel Street, bustling with all the charm it's been flaunting since the 17th century. Meanwhile, to the south, City Hall commands attention with its 18th-century portico and copper dome.

Originally known as Essex Bridge, the first bridge at this location was constructed in 1676, marking Dublin's third river crossing and its easternmost point. It connected the elegant charm of Capel Street, adorned with fashionable Dutch-style mansions, to the ancient maze of medieval alleys down south. From its narrow perch, Dubliners would gather to watch ships with billowing sails anchoring nearby, unloading their exotic goods to undergo inspection at the old custom house. In 1722, an equestrian statue of King George I—ironically an English monarch who didn't speak English—was installed on a pier upstream.

However, Essex Bridge required frequent maintenance due to its foundations resting directly on the riverbed, a precarious position given the Liffey's tendency to throw tantrums with floods and rapids. Eventually, it was reconstructed and widened, reopening in 1874 under the name Grattan Bridge in honor of the parliamentarian Henry Grattan. The new design, featuring a flatter profile to accommodate modern traffic, cleverly retained some of the original foundations while expanding width through cantilevered footpaths topped with wrought iron parapets and decorative lamps. Further renovations in 2002 aimed to arrest superstructure deterioration and enhance pedestrian walkways, ensuring Grattan Bridge remains a cherished link in Dublin's architectural heritage.