Bridge

The National Monuments Service's description

Father Matthew Bridge occupies the site of 'Ostmans Bridge' the earliest bridge over the River Liffey. Dating from the 11th century it comprised a series of causeways reaching as far as the central channel (Clarke 1978, 8). This was replaced by a succession of bridge foundations, remains of which were recovered in 1816 when the present bridge was built (Gilbert 1854-9, 1, 322). The foundation of the older bridge stood upon ruins which comprised regularly laid stones on a platform of oak timbers supported by small piles (Bradley and King 1987, 1, 36; FMD map 1978 C3). The bridge completed in 1428 was of four unequal stone-arched spans and was in use until the early 17th century when it fell into disrepair (De Courcy 1996, 149-52; Tutty 1981, 23-33). Gwynn and Hadcock recorded the following details about this bridge, marked 'Old Bridge' on Speed's Map of Dublin 1610; 'The [Dominican Friary] church [DU018-020050-] was consecrated in 1402 and in 1428 a bridge, called "the Old Bridge', was completed to connect the friary with its schools of St. Thomas Aquinas on the other side of the river, where philosophy and divinity were taught'. A 19th-century view (c. 1810) of the Four Courts painted from Merchants Quay on the opposite bank of the Liffey by William Sadler, shows the four-arched 15th century Bridge of Dublin shortly before it was pulled down.

See attached Speed's Map of Dublin 1610 which shows the 'Old Bridge' annotated Number 5 and 19th century painting of the bridge by William Sadler

Compiled by: Geraldine Stout

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 22 November 2022

References

Bradley, J. and King, H.A. 1988 Urban archaeological survey - county Dublin (4 vols.). Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.

Clarke, H.B. 1978 Dublin c. 840 - c. 1540: the medieval town in the modern city. Dublin.

Gilbert, J.T. 1854-9 (Reprint 1978) A history of the city of Dublin, 3 vols. Dublin. Gill and Macmillan.

Gwynn, A. and Hadcock, R.N. 1970 (Reprint 1988) Medieval religious houses of Ireland. Dublin. Irish Academic Press.

De Courcy, J. 1996 The Liffey in Dublin. Dublin. Gill and Macmillan.

Tutty, J. 1981 Bridges over the Liffey. Dublin Historical Record 35, 23-33.

Speed, J. 1611-12 The theatre of the empire of Great Britaine: presenting an exact geography of the kingdomes of England, Scotland, Ireland. Atlas.2.61.1, Cambridge University Library.