Barracks and Bridges

**

Barracks.**

The foundation of the Royal Barracks was laid in 1701, on the north side of the Liffey, near to the Park Gate: they consist of a number of large squares, built on three sides only, the south side being open. Palatine-square is quite enclosed, and the buildings faced with mountain-granite; and in this square is a ball-room for the use of the officers of the garrison. The situation of the barracks is elevated and healthy, and if Mr. Peel’s proposal of continuing the parade in front, down to the water’s edge, had been accomplished, it would have greatly added to the salubrity, grandeur, and beauty of this extensive establishment. There are several other barracks in the neighbourhood, but from the great reduction that has taken place in the military establishment they are not much used; besides, the Royal Barracks give accommodation to 2,000 troops. **

Bridges.**

Carlisle Bridge - After the opening of the New Custom House, vessels of large burthen had no necessity to proceed further up the river than that limit, so that the communication between the opposite sides of the river was facilitated by the throwing of Carlisle (or the New) Bridge, across the river from the end of Sackville (then Drogheda) street, to Westmorland-street (then College-lane).

This beautiful piece of architecture was commenced in 1791, and finished in three years. The carriage-way is only 40 feet broad, much too narrow for the great concourse which is constantly passing over it; its length is 210 feet. The balustrade and ornamental parts are of Portland stone; and the remaining parts of the facing and arches are of granite.

There are but three arches, which are ornamented by architraves of cut stone, and enriched by colossal heads as key stones. From this bridge may be had, probably, the finest panoramic city view in the empire. The drawing of Sackville-street and the Post-office which accompanies this volume, was taken from a window in the first floor of a house near this bridge.

The Carlisle Buildings, close to this bridge, are probably the most splendid mercantile establishment in the empire; and the great room is worth the notice of a visitor.

This edifice was built by subscription for a public coffee-room and tavern, and was sold by the trustees and proprietors to Mr. Kinahan for 4,000l. subject to a rent of 400l. per annum.

The Cast-Iron Bridge - which is midway between Carlisle and Essex Bridges, consists of one elliptical arch, the chord of which measures 140 feet; and its springs from buttresses of rusticated masonry, projecting a short distance from the quay walls. There was a ferry formerly at this place, the property of the corporation; when Alderman Beresford and William Walsh, Esq. purchased the tolls, and erected the bridge at their private expense it cost 3,000l: and is a great ornament and convenience to the city.

Essex Bridge - was built originally in 1676, by Sir Humphrey Jervis (subsequently Knighted in 1681, when Lord Mayor), and named after Arthur, Earl of Essex, Lord Lieutenant; and was rebuilt 1753-55, after the model of Westminster-bridge. The spans of the arches in these bridges are to each other as three to five; and the lengths as one to four: the bread of Essex-bridge, from the exterior of the parapets or plinths, is 51 feet. The time from the laying the first stone to the completion of this bridge was one year, five months and 21 days; and the expense was 20,661l. 11s. 4d.

The first builder, Sir Humphrey Jervis (says Harris), lay in prison several years; and Mr. Robert Mack, by a mistake in the estimate, was a considerable loser, and very near sharing a similar fate. An equestrian statue of George I. stood on this bridge, but the old structure being taken down, it was removed at the expense of the corporation, to the lawn of the Mansion-house in Dawson-street, where it was re-erected in 1798. [See art. Mansion-House]. A most minute comparative view of Westminster and Essex bridges, is to be seen in Harris’s History of Dublin.**

Richmond Bridge**. - Before the erection of this bridge, which connects Ormond Quay with the extremity of Winetavern-street, the view down the river was much disfigured by the ruins of Ormond Bridge, erected in 1683, and carried away in the great flood of 1802. A gentleman from the neighbourhood of Chapelizod was riding over at the time, and just as he arrived at the distance of 10 or 12 feet from the Quay, the arch before and the whole of the part he had passed, gave way, when his horse with one spring cleared the chasm before him, and bore him to the opposite bank in safety.

Ormond Bridge was built at the instance of Sir John Davys, and succeeded a wooden bridge, erected on the same spot by Sir H. Jervis. This architect married the daughter of Col. Lane, the faithful friend and adherent of Charles II; and was as enterprising for the public benefit, as he was unfortunate in establishing his claims with those who derived such advantages from his designs.

The first stone of the present, or Richmond Bridge, was laid Aug. 9th 1813, by her Grace Charlotte, the present Duchess Dowager of Richmond; and it was opened to the public on St. Patrick’s day, in 1816. It is built almost entirely of Portland stone ; the crown of the centre arch is not more than two feet above the level of the quays. There are three arches richly ornamented, the key stones of which are colossal heads of Plenty; the Liffey, and Industry on one side; Commerce, Hibernia and Peace on the other: it is after a design of Mr. Savage, an English artist, and cost 25,000l.

In sinking for the foundation of this bridge, several coins were found, some of Elizabeth, others of Philip and Mary, besides two boats, 18 feet in length, in one of which was a skeleton, with various implements; likewise a mill-stone, 16 feet in diameter; all of which were much below the bed of the river. From this it would appear, that the bed of the river is greatly raised front its original level, which, with he extraordinary elevation of the surface, to be witnessed in the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey, demonstrates the fact of the gradual elevation of the soil throughout this part of Dublin. **

Whitworth-Bridge** - is the next to the westward. The foundation stone was laid by Charles Earl Whitworth, Lord Lieutenant, 16th October, 1816. It is like Richmond Bridge, and the balustrade is continued along the quay wall to that bridge, and greatly contributes to the splendour of the scene in front of the Law Courts.

This structure replaced the Old Bridge, so called from its being the oldest site of a bridge across the Liffey since the foundation of the city. In sinking for a foundation, the traces of two or three former bridges were observed, one of them of excellent workmanship, and supposed to have been laid in the reign of King’ John: this was one of the principal entrances to the city, in the reign of Elizabeth; and in the reign of Henry VIII. a valuable toll was collected here, by the Dominican Friars, who built this bridge.

Part of St. Mary’s Abbey may be seen at the rear of the houses on the north side of the street of that name, and within a few doors of Capel-street. The Friars’ Bridge replaced Dublin Bridge, which was swept away in 1385; and the present bridge succeeded the Old Bridge, which was taken down by the corporation for improving the quays, &c. of Dublin. **

The Queen’s Bridge**. – In 1683, a bridge was built over the Liffey, opposite to Queen-street, called after the Lord Lieutenant, Arran Bridge; which was swept away by the floods of 1763, and rebuilt in 1764. It is of granite-stone, consists of three arches, is ornamented with a light metal balustrade, and is 140 feet in length by 40 in breadth. **

Bloody Bridge**. - The last bridge in Dublin to the west is called Barrack Bridge, but more frequently Bloody Bridge. This extraordinary appellation was derived from the following circumstance in 1671, the apprentices of Dublin assembled for the purpose of demolishing the wooden Bridge over the Liffey near the Royal Barracks; but being interrupted by the military, a battle ensued, in which four of the young men were killed, and the remainder put into Bridewell. In consequence of this incident Barrack Bridge was built, which still however preserves its name, and is the oldest bridge now standing in Dublin. **

Sarah’s Bridge**. - To the west of Bloody Bridge, about one mile from the city, at a little village called Island Bridge, is Sarah’s Arch. This beautiful piece of architecture consists of one elliptical arch, the chord of which measures 104 feet, and the altitude from low water to the key stone 30. It is of a light and elegant construction, and is 7 feet wider in the span than the celebrated Rialto at Venice. In the view of Dublin from the rising ground of the Phoenix-park, this arch is a beautiful and picturesque object in the foreground The foundation stone was laid in 1791, by Sarah, Countess of Westmorland.

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