Indicated

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