Wellington Quay
Wellington Quay, a significant street in Dublin, marks the point where the River Poddle flows into the River Liffey. Historically known as Custom House Quay until 1817, Wellington Quay has long been a vital area of the city. The Poddle, which once flowed openly though various parts of Dublin such as Crampton Court, Dame Street, and Ship Street, now flows underground and enters the Liffey through a notable archway at Wellington Quay with a metal portcullis. In 1881, workers installed high iron grille with heavy locks was installed to secure this entrance for protection of Dublin Castle. The lower length of the Poddle is enclosed in a large brick tunnel, which extends nearly three miles from Harold’s Cross to the quays, offering a unique historical perspective on Dublin’s waterways.
Wellington Quay was partially blocked off by buildings as late as 1797, as shown on Faden’s map, with the Liffey’s present Metal Bridge marking the beginning of Crampton Quay.
In the 1990s, at a city council meeting, a proposed Poddle pedestrian bridge by Temple Bar Properties was rejected. While 24 of 42 councillors supported the copper-topped design, it did not achieve the required three-quarters majority due to its conflict with the city’s Development Plan.
Association with Poddle
The Poddle enters the River Liffey at Wellington Quay.
What the Newspapers Say
- Most of the articles mention that the Poddle enters the Liffey at the portcullis at Wellington Quay.
- For the past two days, workmen had been cutting through the only subterranean passage connecting to Dublin Castle. This archway, visible at all tides and nearly opposite Swift’s Row, served as the outlet for the River Poddle. The Poddle flowed beneath Crampton Court, Dame Street, Exchange Court, Ship Street, and other areas before reaching the Castle. Adventurous individuals could once traverse the Poddle’s bed between tides, though the path was infested with rats and foul odours. The archway was high, but often submerged at high tide. Recently, a high iron grille with heavy locks was installed to secure the entrance.
- Wellington Quay was called Custom House Quay up to 1817 It was sealed off by buildings at the eastern end as late as 1797 when Faden’s map shows the Liffey as the present Metal Bridge, where Crampton Quay begins.
- You can see the heavy iron grating in the quay wall below Wellington Quay
- At a recent Dublin city council meeting, the controversial Poddle pedestrian bridge proposed by Temple Bar Properties was rejected. Despite 24 out of 42 councillors supporting the copper-topped bridge, the project failed to secure the required three-quarters majority due to its conflict with the city’s Development Plan. The vote effectively halted the proposal. However, some councillors expressed openness to a revised bridge design connecting Wellington and Ormond Quays, suggesting that a new proposal might gain approval.
- It emerges at Wellington Quay – so the grate you see there is not a sewer pipe. In case you ever wondered. Interestingly, much of the lower length of the Poddle is in a large brick tunnel; you can actually walk along it for almost three miles from Harold’s Cross to the quays.