The Irish Times

Dublin's most emblematic structure, the Ha'penny Bridge, has been obscured by an ugly sister, erected alongside, which looks like a poor relation of the hideous Loop Line bridge further downriver. But the new bridge is a temporary structure, installed at the behest of shopkeepers in Lower Liffey Street, who feared a six-month closure of the historic cast-iron bridge for refurbishment would ruin their trade. Dublin Corporation is investing £1.8 million in the restoration of the city's oldest and busiest pedestrian bridge, assisted by funding from the Dublin Transportation Office, and it is intended to complete the project by September. The city manager, Mr John Fitzgerald, admitted yesterday that the Ha'penny Bridge - erected in 1815 - had been "in rag order" for years. Six months ago, a section of its railings collapsed into the River Liffey.