"Ha' penny Bridge, Dublin, Ireland.." by Bernie Rosage Jr.

Ha' penny Bridge, Dublin, Ireland.. 16x20" Oil on stretched canvas by Bernie Rosage Jr., 2009.

This is the best known of Dublin's bridges. It was built in 1816 and was the first iron bridge in Ireland. It is a single span structure with cast iron railings and decorative lamps and crosses the River Liffey. It was originally named the Liffey Bridge but is now called the Ha'penny because until 1919 to cross it there was a half-penny charge.

Tami and I must have crossed this Dublin landmark a hundred times (for FREE) in our three day stay there. It was so strange to see it finally get dark around 11 o'clock at night... this was painted from a photo I took... proof that we really stayed out LATE that night.

As you cross the Ha'penny bridge you enter the Temple Bar district through the Merchant's Arch which can be seen in this painting. The Merchant's Arch is a formal entry point to the area and dates from the days when ships sailed up the River Liffey to dock here and trade with local merchants.

NOTE: Bernie is currently working on a series of paintings inspired from a recent trip to Ireland. The series is titled "Enchanting Ireland" and will be on exhibit in August 2009 at the Baysden Gallery in Jacksonville, NC and in September 2009 at the New Bern Artworks Gallery in New Bern, NC. Read about his adventures and see the progress of this series at Enchanting Ireland.

Video of HA'PENNY BRIDGE Dublin Ireland set to U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday"