Talbot Memorial Bridge

Background and construction

Announced in 1974, Dublin Corporation hoped the new bridge would alleviate the traffic bottleneck which then existed at the Custom House, one of the worst in Dublin according to RTÉ. They also hoped that a new traffic system would "alleviate traffic problems in the centre city area", and that the south wall would "be able to handle incoming traffic and a new exit road (would) be built eventually."

Completed in 1978, it was the first bridge built over the Liffey in Dublin city in the twentieth century. It is 22 metres (72 feet) wide, 80 metres long, and was designed by De Leuw, Chadwick and O'hEocha Consulting Engineers. Construction work was undertaken by Ascon Limited. The bridge structure consists of 11 centre beams weighing 28 tonnes each, which were loaded onto a barge and pushed into midstream by a tug boat. The foundations for the bridge are reinforced concrete which exist on a natural rock formation in the river bed. The bridge is flat and lies at the same height as the existing quays and roads at either side of the river.

Originally it was to cost IR£250,000, but inflation drove the price of the bridge up nearly fourfold, according to an RTÉ report at the time of opening.

Opening

The bridge was opened by Lord Mayor of Dublin Michael Collins on 14 February 1978, after which he drove his car across the bridge, becoming the first car to officially cross it. The opening was picketed by residents of City Quay and Westland Row, who had been campaigning for new housing for their "decaying parishes". RTÉ reported that Dublin Corporation aimed to commence house building in City Quay by the end of 1978.

Naming

The bridge was named in memory of Matt Talbot, a temperance campaigner from Dublin's northside, a statue of whom stands at the south end of the bridge. Other names which had been suggested to Dublin Corporation included the Seán Lemass Bridge, Arthur Griffith Bridge, James Larkin Bridge, and Peace Bridge (in reference to the then-ongoing Troubles in Northern Ireland).

The bridge links Memorial Road (and Custom House Quay) on the north bank of the river to Moss Street (and City Quay) on the south bank. Memorial Road was named in commemoration of those members of the Dublin Brigade who died during the Irish War of Independence - including those who died in a raid on the nearby Custom House.