Loopline Bridge, Railway viaduct in North Quays, Ireland.
Loopline Bridge is a latticed iron viaduct crossing the River Liffey that connects Dublin's railway networks on both sides of the water. The structure spans about 484 meters and sits roughly 6 meters above street level.
Engineer John Chaloner Smith designed this bridge in 1891 for the Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford Railway to support the city's growing rail network. The structure became part of Dublin's transport system during the height of railway expansion across Ireland.
The bridge reflects Victorian design choices in its granite-style piers that echo nearby buildings along the riverfront. These details show how it was built to fit into the city's architectural character from that era.
The bridge carries regular trains and DART services connecting the city center to multiple suburbs, running throughout the day on a fixed schedule. You can view the structure from nearby riverside paths or from the embankments that line the Liffey.
The structure was damaged by cannon fire from HMS Helga during the 1916 Easter Rising when the British ship targeted the nearby Liberty Hall. Shell impacts left marks on the ironwork that remind visitors of that turbulent time in Dublin's history.
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