Classon's Bridge

{{Infobox bridge

|bridge_name = Classon's Bridge

|image = ClassonsBridge.JPG

|image_size = 260

|alt = Classon's Bridge seen from upstream on the left bank

|caption = Classon's seen from upstream on the left bank.

|crosses = River Dodder

|material = Granite and concrete (1928)

|spans = 3

|complete = c1790s. Widened in 1928.

|coordinates = {{coord|53.307935|-6.254403|display=inline,title}}

}}

Classon's Bridge ({{Langx|ga|Droichead Classon}}{{cite web |title=Classon's Bridge/Droichead Classon |url=https://www.logainm.ie/ga/1415054 |publisher=logainm.ie}}) is a bridge over the River Dodder in Dublin, Ireland between Milltown and Dartry. The bridge is part of the Lower Churchtown Road (L3001) and has an underpass for pedestrians walking along the banks of the Dodder.

History

The bridge takes its name from John Classon, the owner of a mill, who built the bridge in order to aid his business which was located on the left bank of the river, now the location of The Dropping Well pub.{{cite web|url = http://www.droppingwell.com/?page_id=11 | title = Dropping Well Pub history | website = droppingwell.com | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110927030345/http://www.droppingwell.com/?page_id=11 | archivedate = 27 September 2011 }}

Before Classon's Bridge was constructed, in the late 18th century, the only means of crossing the River Dodder in the area included a ford and narrow bridge at Milltown (the latter being too narrow for vehicles).{{cite book | title = A History of the County Dublin, Volume 2 | url = https://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/256-261_A-History-of-the-County-Dublin/260%20A%20History%20of%20the%20County%20Dublin%202.pdf | first = F. Elrington | last = Ball | authorlink = F. Elrington Ball | date = 1903 | publisher = Alex. Thom & Company | place = Dublin | page = 112 | quote = Until the later part of the [18th] century, when Classon's bridge [..] was built [..] the only means of crossing the Dodder was by means of the old [Milltown] bridge, which was too narrow for vehicle traffic, and by a ford, where the present bridge of Milltown is built}}

The bridge was made from granite blocks on the riverbed. In 1928, the bridge was widened but parts of the old bridge can still be seen underneath. A little upstream from the bridge is a statue of a rhino in the middle of the river.{{fact|date=June 2024}}

References

External links

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDqHCudwv2s Video of Classon's bridge - via YouTube]

Category:Bridges in Dublin (city)