Work has officially begun on the Commemorative Bridge over the River Liffey at the Irish National War Memorial Gardens (INWMG) in Islandbridge, Dublin. Minister of State Kevin “Boxer” Moran welcomed the initiative, which aims to enhance public access and connect key heritage sites while honouring the 49,400 Irish soldiers who died in World War I.

The bridge will feature a dedicated cycle path and pedestrian route, creating a formal entrance from Chapelizod Road and linking the gardens with Phoenix Park. This connection will improve access to cultural attractions including Kilmainham Gaol, the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, and the Magazine Fort. It is expected to elevate the experience for nearly half a million annual visitors, offering a landmark public space and a more accessible, grand entrance to the gardens.

The concept of the bridge originates from Sir Edwin Lutyens, the gardens’ original landscape architect, and has long been a goal of the Memorial Committee Trustees and the Office of Public Works (OPW). In 2019, the OPW launched an open international design competition supported by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland. London-based Ritchie Studio, in collaboration with Equals, Cronin and Sutton, and Schlaich Bergermann Partner, won the competition and developed the design to the implementation stage.

Planning permission was granted in 2024, and following a public procurement process, John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd was appointed to deliver the project. Jointly funded by the National Transport Authority and the OPW, and supported by University College Dublin, the bridge will also benefit rowing clubs along the Liffey. Completion is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.

The Commemorative Bridge will serve as a focal point connecting historic and cultural landmarks across Dublin while becoming a vital element of the city’s active travel infrastructure and a lasting tribute to Ireland’s military history.

Explore how the Commemorative Bridge will redefine access and experience at one of Europe’s most significant memorial gardens.