The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round

Today the children wanted to go into town on the bus. Going into town means going into Dublin city centre. We caught the bus just down the road from our house. Yes of course it was a double decker bus! The children really wanted to go upstairs but I told them next time since this was our first time on the bus from Glasnevin into town and I did not know how long or short it was going to be. It only took 10 minutes to get into town. This is so much closer then what we are used to as we usually catch the bus from much farther out. We got off on O'Connell Street which is the main thoroughfare. 

The children on the double decker bus

We walked over the O'Connell Street bridge which crosses over the Liffey River. This bridge was built in the late 1700's but it wasn't named for Daniel O'Connell until 1882. There is also a big statue of him on the street. O'Connell is known as a Great Liberator. He is one of the national heroes of Ireland and there are monuments to him all over the country. He campaigned for Catholic Emancipation which included the rights for Catholics to have seats in Parliament. 

The O'Connell Street Bridge

Then we walked along the Liffey River for awhile on the south side of the city. We were walking towards Christ Church because the children wanted to go to the Dublinia Museum. We went there two years ago and it is a great museum for kids about the Viking and Medieval times of Dublin. 

Walking along the Liffey with the O'Connell Street Bridge in the background

Ha'penny Bridge over the Liffey River

Ha'penny Bridge

We walked past the Ha'penny Bridge. I always loved this bridge even as a child visiting Dublin. Maybe it was the funny name that it had...Ha'Penny! This bridge is actually called the Liffey Bridge but when it was built as a pedestrian bridge there was a charge to cross over the river. The cost was 1/2 pence (half penny). There were turnstiles at each end of the bridge so you could pay your toll before you entered the bridge. This toll stayed for 100 years until 1919 when it was dropped. It is still referred to as the Ha'Penny Bridge!

Then our walk continues.....