Butt Bridge
Encyclopedia
Butt Bridge is a road bridge in Dublin, Ireland
which spans the River Liffey
and joins George's Quay
to Beresford Place and the north quays at Liberty Hall
.
The original bridge on this site was a structural steel swivel bridge, which was opened in 1879 and named for Isaac Butt
, leader of the Home Rule movement
(who died that year).
The swing section, made of wrought iron and weighing 200 tons, ran on a series of cast spoke wheels and was powered by a steam engine, which was housed on a timber pier on the downstream side of the bridge. The swing action allowed boats to pass and berth in the river as far upstream as Carlisle Bridge (now O'Connell Bridge
).
In 1932, the swing bridge was replaced with a three span fixed structure of reinforced concrete, but retained its original name. The central span of the current bridge is formed by two cantilevered sections, with the two approach spans acting as counterweights. This model represented the first use in reinforced concrete of a cantilevered and counterweight construction in either Britain or Ireland.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
which spans the River Liffey
River Liffey
The Liffey is a river in Ireland, which flows through the centre of Dublin. Its major tributaries include the River Dodder, the River Poddle and the River Camac. The river supplies much of Dublin's water, and a range of recreational opportunities.-Name:The river was previously named An Ruirthech,...
and joins George's Quay
Georges Quay (Dublin)
George's Quay is a street in Dublin between Burgh Quay and Hawkins Street, in the west to City Quay and Moss Street in the east. Tara Street railway station is on this street and both Butt Bridge and Tara Street meet a short distance to the west of the station....
to Beresford Place and the north quays at Liberty Hall
Liberty Hall
Liberty Hall , in Dublin, Ireland is the headquarters of the Services, Industrial, Professional, and Technical Union...
.
The original bridge on this site was a structural steel swivel bridge, which was opened in 1879 and named for Isaac Butt
Isaac Butt
Isaac Butt Q.C. M.P. was an Irish barrister, politician, Member of Parliament , and the founder and first leader of a number of Irish nationalist parties and organisations, including the Irish Metropolitan Conservative Society in 1836, the Home Government Association in 1870 and in 1873 the Home...
, leader of the Home Rule movement
Home Government Association
The Home Government Association was a pressure group founded by Isaac Butt in 1870 in support of home rule for Ireland.Its inaugural public meeting was held on 1 September 1870.It became the Home Rule League in 1873....
(who died that year).
The swing section, made of wrought iron and weighing 200 tons, ran on a series of cast spoke wheels and was powered by a steam engine, which was housed on a timber pier on the downstream side of the bridge. The swing action allowed boats to pass and berth in the river as far upstream as Carlisle Bridge (now O'Connell Bridge
O'Connell Bridge
O'Connell Bridge is a road bridge spanning the River Liffey in Dublin, and joining O'Connell Street to D'Olier Street, Westmoreland Street and the south quays.-History:...
).
In 1932, the swing bridge was replaced with a three span fixed structure of reinforced concrete, but retained its original name. The central span of the current bridge is formed by two cantilevered sections, with the two approach spans acting as counterweights. This model represented the first use in reinforced concrete of a cantilevered and counterweight construction in either Britain or Ireland.