O'Connell Bridge, Dublin

The allure of O'Connell Bridge lies in its intricate details – from the elegant sandstone balustrades to the garlands adorning the piers, and the quaint Parisian lamp standards to the stone steps discretely tucked away along the western quay walls.

Spanning the River Liffey at the heart of Dublin, the original structure, Gandon's Carlisle Bridge, graced the scene in 1794. Its thoroughfare, extending across up the grand sweep of Sackville Street (now O'Connell Street), was the epitome of fashion in the city. With later additions, the vista from the bridge to the Houses of Parliament and Trinity College on the south side became a picturesque delight.

Yet, as the 19th century progressed, the once-sturdy bridge began to show its age, strained under the weight of increasing traffic and crying out for a replacement. The new design paid homage to the original Carlisle Bridge while rectifying its shortcomings, boasting nearly triple the width and a gentler slope. Crafted from Portland stone and granite, the bridge embraced the same distinctly classical aesthetic and was unveiled in 1880, bearing the name of the revered Liberator, Daniel O'Connell.

Today, despite the proliferation of newer bridges spanning the River Liffey, O'Connell Bridge remains at the heart of Dublin and its inhabitants, offering splendid views of the Custom House to the right and the equally magnificent Four Courts to the left.