James Joyce Bridge (Irish: Droichead James Joyce[1]) is a road bridge spanning the River Liffey in Dublin, Ireland, joining the south quays to Blackhall Place on the north side.

James Joyce Bridge

Droichead James Joyce
James Joyce Bridge - looking downstream
James Joyce Bridge - looking downstream
Coordinates53°20′48″N 6°16′57″W / 53.34667°N 6.2825°W / 53.34667; -6.2825
CarriesRoad and pedestrian traffic
CrossesRiver Liffey
LocaleDublin, Ireland
Preceded byRory O'More Bridge
Followed byMellows Bridge
Characteristics
DesignTied-arch bridge
MaterialSteel, glass
Total length40m
Width30m
No. of spans1
History
DesignerSantiago Calatrava
Constructed byIrishenco, Harland and Wolff
Opened16 June 2003 (Bloomsday)
Location
Map

Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, it is a single-span structural steel design, 40 m (131 ft) long.[2] The deck is supported from two outward angled arches, the silhouette of which is sometimes compared to the shape of an open book.[3]

The bridge was built by Irishenco Construction, using pre-fabricated steel sections from Harland and Wolff of Belfast.[2]

The bridge is named for the famous Dublin author James Joyce (1882–1941), and was opened on 16 June 2003 (Bloomsday).[4] Joyce's short story "The Dead" is set in Number 15 Usher's Island,[5] the house facing the bridge on the south side.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Droichead James Joyce / James Joyce Bridge". Irish Placenames Commission. Logainm.ie. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  2. ^ a b Project history of Dublin's River Liffey bridges (PDF). Bridge Engineering 156 Issue BE4 (Report). Phillips & Hamilton. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 August 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2007.
  3. ^ Hugh O'Donnell, Nathan (4 November 2013). "Riverrun". Dublin Review of Books. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  4. ^ "Bloomsday sees James Joyce Bridge open". Irish Times. 16 June 2003.
  5. ^ "James Joyce House - 15 Usher's Island Dublin". Jamesjoycehouse.com. Archived from the original on 6 February 2007.
  6. ^ "James Joyce Bridge". Archiseek.com. Archived from the original on 25 July 2010.
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Detail of the bridge. 15 Usher's Island is the redbrick house obscured by the arch.