Page 99 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

NOR TH OF THE LIFFEY  97

destroyed by fire. By 1932,
the main buildings were
sympathetically restored using
Gandon’s original design. An
imposing copper-covered
lantern dome rises above the
six-columned Corinthian
portico, which is crowned with
the figures of Moses, Justice,
Mercy, Wisdom and Authority.
This central section is flanked by
two wings containing the four
original courts. An information
panel gives details about the
building’s history.

y St Mary’s Abbey The Ha’penny Bridge connecting Temple Bar to Liffey Street
Meetinghouse Lane. Map C2. Tel 833 i Ha’penny Bridge
1618. Closed until further notice; is the vaulted chamber of the
check website in advance & Chapter House containing a Map D3.
∑ heritageireland.ie model of how it would have
looked 800 years ago. Linking the Temple Bar area
Founded by Benedictines in (see p82) and Liffey Street, this
1139, but transferred to the u National high-arched cast-iron foot-
Cistercian order in 1147, this bridge is used by thousands of
was one of the largest and Leprechaun people every day. It was built by
most impor tant monasteries Museum John Windsor, an ironworker
in medieval Ireland. As well as from Shropshire, England. One
controlling extensive estates, Twilfit House, Jervis St. Map C2. of Dublin’s most photographed
Tel 873 3899. Open 10am–6:30pm
the abbey acted as state daily (last adm 5:45pm), evening tours sights, it was originally named
treasury and meeting place for 7:30pm & 8pm Fri & Sat. & 7 - the Wellington Bridge. It is now
the Council of Ireland. It was ∑ leprechaunmuseum.ie officially called the Liffey Bridge,
during a council meeting in but is also known as the
St Mary’s that “Silken Thomas” This charming museum focuses Ha’penny Bridge. Opened in
Fitzgerald (see p42) renounced on Irish myths and folklore, taking 1816, the bridge got its better-
his allegiance to Henry VIII and visitors inside Celtic culture to known nickname from the
marched out to raise the short- learn about lepre chauns, fairies, halfpenny toll that was levied
lived rebellion of 1534. The banshees and other mythological on it up until 1919. Restoration
monastery was dissolved in creatures. Children will enjoy work, which included the
1539 and during the 17th the lively storytelling by expert installation of period lanterns,
century the site served as a guides, but there is plenty to has made the bridge even
quarry. All that remains today keep adults amused too. more attractive.

James Gandon’s Four Courts overlooking the River Liffey

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