A vivid history of Dublin unfolds in this exploration of more than 1,000
years of bridges over the river Liffey. From the time of the Vikings and
their simple wooden bridge, through Dublin's late 17th-century
expansion, when four new bridges were built within 14 years, to the
iconic Ha'penny Bridge, the story of a city and its bridges is told.
Dublin's bridges are not mere structures. They are monuments to heroes
and heroines, celebrations of a great literary heritage, romantic
reminders of gentler times, and futuristic style statements of a city's
confidence in itself. They are portals to the city's past, revealing
tales of bloody battles, political intrigue, innovative engineers and
architects, dubious developers, and romantic liaisons. From the oldest
surviving, Mellows Bridge of 1768, to the newest, the Rosie Hackett
Bridge of 2014, all 24 bridges and those they replaced are eloquently
described. Striking photographs, reproductions of old maps, and
illustrations, along with suggested walking tours, complement the
remarkable story of the bridges of Dublin. Lavishly illustrated, the
book is essential for all those who are interested in this important
part of Dublin's history. *** This glorious volume, a perfect gift
for all ages, will be treasured for generations. We only wish these
bridges could talk! -- Celtic Connection, August 2016 [Subject:
History, Irish Studies, Architecture]
