O'Connell Bridge

Single-arch humpback foot bridge, built c. 1877, over ornamental lake in Saint Stephen's Green. Segmental-arch structure on bedrock base, with rock-faced random coursed ashlar granite walling with coursed matching coping, terminated by large round-plan piers with monolithic roughly hewn domed granite caps, and having tarmacadam surface. Located within St. Stephen's Green, to north of central parterre, surrounded by mature landscaping.

A simple, single-span bridge of granite, built as part of the extensive reordering of St. Stephen's Green. Its rock-faced appearance gives it a quite striking, sculptural effect and its humpbacked form enables the pedestrian to gradually experience the park and its vistas. Named after the patriot, Daniel O'Connell, it is a key part of the attractive ensemble of ponds, contributing strongly to the character of the Green, a place that represents one of the key urban set-pieces in the historic city. The promenade-style gardens were redesigned to create a picturesque layout arranged around a central parterre by architect J.F Fuller and landscape designer William Shepherd. Work was carried out by Pulham and Sons and was funded by Arthur E. Guinness, who had a house on the south side of the Green. The large ornamental lake located towards the north side of the park was a significant feature within this large-scale scheme.