South Side Of The River Liffey

TWO DERELICT STRUCTURES AT WATERSTOWN PARK IN PALMERSTOWN

WATERSTOWN PUBLIC PARK IS WORTH A VISIT

Unfortunately the ground near the bridge was too waterlogged, soggy and muddy for me to get close enough to photograph the structure and my footwear was not suitable. I hope to revisit the location later in the month (May 2024)

The house near the Silver Bridge on the South Side of the river Liffey was in a bad state of repair for decades but in 2022 SDCC (South Dublin County Council) decided to start restoration works on the walls of the house to preserve for the future and as you can see from my photographs it is very much a work in progress.

Waterstown House in Waterstown Park, Palmerstown Waterstown House, also known as Old Harris’s House, is an 18th-century farmhouse located in Waterstown Park in Palmerstown. It was inhabited until the 1980s and is in need of some TLC from South Dublin County Council. There have been calls for it to be preserved and reopened as a public amenity.

The Bridge: Also known as the Silver Bridge or Guinness Bridge, it’s a beautiful and historic cast-iron bridge that once provided access to Farmleigh Estate from the south side of the River Liffey. It was built by the Guinness family sometime between 1872 and 1890.
Disused: Sadly, the bridge has been closed for several decades and is in a state of disrepair.

Location & Ownership: The south end of the bridge is near Waterstown Park (Palmerstown), while the north side sits within the Farmleigh Estate grounds. The bridge itself is owned by Fingal County Council.

Access Difficulties

South Side (Waterstown Park): This area can get quite muddy, especially after rain. Also, the bridge is on private property bordered by a wall, making it difficult to get close on this side.

North Side (Strawberry Beds): Access from this direction is complicated as well. The bridge is located within the grounds of Farmleigh Estate, and although parts of the estate are sometimes open to the public, the area immediately around the bridge usually isn’t due to safety concerns.
Safety First: It’s highly recommended that you do not attempt to walk on the bridge or access it directly. This is for your own safety, as the structure is not stable.

Viewing the Bridge

Waterstown Park: You can get decent, albeit distant, views of the bridge from Waterstown Park.
River Trails: Walks along the River Liffey on either side offer changing perspectives of the bridge.
Photography: The bridge, especially from a distance, is a photographic subject due to its history and natural setting.

Restoration Hopes

There have been talks and proposals for restoring the Farmleigh Bridge, but nothing concrete yet. Hopefully, the future will see it stabilised and made accessible for viewing in a safe manner.