Coin, Famous Dublin Haypenny Bridge Coin

Haypenny Bridge Dublin Collectors Coin with a Map of Ireland on the back

Before the Ha’penny Bridge was built there were seven ferries, operated by a William Walsh, across Dublins River Liffey. The ferries were in a bad condition and Walsh was informed that he had to either fix them or build a bridge. Walsh chose the latter option and was granted the right to extract a toll from anyone crossing it for 100 years, the cost to cross was a Hapenny.

Initially the toll charge was based not on the cost of construction, but to match the charges levied by the ferries it replaced. 

The toll was increased for a time to a penny-ha’penny (1½ pence), but was eventually dropped in 1919 When the toll was operational, when the turnstiles at either end of the bridge were removed.

Although one of Dublins most famous bridges across the capitals river Liffey it is not the oldest, our oldest bridge is Mellows bridge built in 1768