Bridging the gap: what Dubliners think
29 Oct 1994It has been nicknamed the Drunken Bridge and The Wave Across The River due to its controversial design. It will cost £750,000 of European money to build and will span the Liffey on the stretch between the Halfpenny Bridge and Capcl St. Bridge. Within the next month, Dublin City Councillors will decide the future of the proposed Poddle Bridge, so-called because it would be situated at the point where the Poddle river enters the Liffey.
Dubliners have had a say in whether or not this new bridge goes up. At exhibitions at City Hall and at Temple Bar Properties’ Information Office
their comments have been welcomed and will be passed onto councillors before they make their final decision.
Needless to say Dubs are divided in their opinions about the look of the bridge and the need for it. It’s an unusual construction to say the least. Designed by architect Michael McGarry and his partners, it curves in the middle, has a copper cover and features timber and steel, materials typical of Dublin’s architecture. If the plan goes ahead, the bridge will cut right through an existing building on Wellington Quay, finishing up on a new Temple Bar square called Meeting House Square. One man viewing the exhibition at City Hall said it looked as though was about to fall down, while others have said it’s just plain ugly. “It looks like something that’s been put up as a temporary construction,” said John Forrest, from Stillorgan, when we showed him a model of the bridge. “And as for the artistic value of curving it in the middle, I think it’s awful. It’s pretentious and in total contrast to the other Liffey bridges. There is no geographical construction in Dublin that could parallel it. It’s a distortion of architecture.” Added Temple Bar shopkeeper Pat Cleere: “It’s as though we’re expecting Russians or something. You certainly wouldn’t want to be twisted crossing it at night. The question I ask is why they’re building another footbridge between the Halfpenny Bridge and Capel Street. It is as though someone is building a bridge for sake of it, it’s obviously European money or else it wouldn’t be going up.
Those behind the planning of the bridge are quick to defend it. Laura Magahy of Temple Bar Properties comments: “The purpose of the bridge is to link Temple Bar with the northside Basically, it will pull Jervis Street, Henry Street and Mary Street closer to Temple Bar. “It’s needed because the Halfpenny Bridge is already over-crowded and is unsuitable for buggies or the disabled people. The new Poddle bridge has no steps and features a safe landing area so it can used by everyone. Also, the part of the river where the bridge will be is actually th elongest inner-city stretch without a bridge. “It has been controversial but do you know that when the Halfpenny Bridge originally went up, councillors had a vote on whether or not to take it the take it down because they is hated it so much?”
The look of the bridge has come in for most criticism from local Dubliners. “I think it’s awful,” remarked Mary Cleere from Temple Bar. “Obviously, it’s been designed to match the arty look of Temple Bar, but it looks completely out of place with the Halfpenny Bridge. I don’t think it’s needed, people will just continue to use the Halfpenny Bridge anyway.” Bernadette Barrett, who works in the area, agrees; “Call me an old-fashioned girl but I think it’s horrible. It’s too sci-fi looking. It’s out of character with the other bridges and I don’t think it should have a roof on it.” Architect Michael McGarry is optimistic about the bridge’s future, despite some negative reactions and the fact that 75% of all councillors must vote in favour of it for planning to go ahead.
the “Crossing a bridge should be a pleasant, enjoyable and safe experience. It isn’t at the Halfpenny Bridge where you’re dumped onto a very narrow, dangerous footpath when you come down the steps.” he says.
“The Poddle Bridge is completely user-friendly. It has a very gentle slope, it’s very low and close to the water in order to highlight the whole idea of crossing over water. “The materials we’ve used have a pedigree in Dublin. They match the neutral shades of the city’s architecture And we’ve used timber because the sound of footsteps on timber over water makes a very particular noise that Dubliners will remember from the time when the Halfpenny Bridge had timber.
“The banks on either side of the Liffey are different heights, but the curve in the middle of the bridge is purely a matter of design. “It’s not critic;)! to the structure of the bridge. So far, we’ve had 75% favourable responses and the rest negative.”
And at least two people we spoke to are in favour of the bridge.
Paddy Dunning, from the Ormonde Multi-media Centre on the quays says: “I’m all for it. Any link between the southside and northside is a good thing. Also, the Halfpenny bridge is totally congested with queues of people waiting to cross it every day this bridge will serve thousands of people who walkdown_the quays every day and will also improve safety.
Aoife Woodlock, also from the Ormonde Centre, sums up the viability of the bridge like this: “If it leads me directly to the Norseman pub, it is perfect for me” she says.
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