- Historical Dublin
- Then & Now
Then & Now
The bridges of Dublin have been a constant presence in our city and millions of Dubliners and visitors have poured across them over the years. The photos below show the bridges and the city as they were and how they are in the summer of 2013. Please click the images to fade from old to new and vice versa.
© Courtesy of The National Library of Ireland
Taken approximately 108 years apart (c1905 & 2013), these photos show a view of O’Connell Bridge from Aston Quay. The elaborate edifice of the Dublin Bread Company can be seen on the older photo as the highest building along the city skyline. It was a landmark building for only 15 years and was completely destroyed in the Easter Rising of 1916. You can view the old and new photos in further detail by clicking through to our Gallery.
© Courtesy of The National Library of Ireland
Taken 97 years apart (1916 & 2013), these photos show the view north onto O’Connell Bridge and O’Connell Street following the 1916 Rising. A significant portion of the street was completely destroyed by shelling. The O’Connell monument survived and it’s possible to spot bullet holes to this day. You can view the old and new photos in further detail by clicking through to our Gallery.
© Courtesy of The National Library of Ireland
Taken approximately 143 years apart (1870 & 2013), these photos show the old Essex Bridge and the bridge that replaced it in 1875, now known as Grattan Bridge. Note the constant presence of the Four Courts, the re-use of the bridge abutments and the Presbyterian Church, since re-developed as office space. You can view the old and new photos in further detail by clicking through to our Gallery.
© Dublin City Council
Taken 33 years apart (1980 & 2013), these photos show the view from the Ha’penny Bridge looking north into Liffey Street. You can see the significant development that’s taken place on Bachelor’s Walk along with the refurbishment of the bridge itself in 2000. You can view the old and new photos in further detail by clicking through to our Gallery.
© Courtesy of The National Library of Ireland
Taken approximately 123 years apart (c1890 & 2013), these photos show the view from the corner of D’Olier Street on to O’Connell Bridge. The statue of William Smith-O’Brien, seen on the older photo, is now located in the centre of O’Connell Street on the south side of the Abbey Street junction. You can view the old and new photos in further detail by clicking through to our Gallery.