Table of Contents
Histor
When we talk about Ireland, specifically Dublin, we are instantly remained of the more famous tourist spots like St. Patrick’s Cathedral which is the most sought-after attraction in Dublin or the Irish Museum of Modern Art or the Trinity college contains one of the world’s largest libraries. Interestingly authors Samuel Beckett and Dublin share a history as it is the author’s birthplace.
Beckett studied Romance languages at Trinity College, Dublin, From 1923 to 1927. Keeping in mind his tremendous contribution to the literary field, the Samuel Beckett bridge was opened on December 10th, 2009.
Lighting
The spectacularly iconic Samuel Beckett Bridge is installed with over 1400 individually controlled colour-changing LED nodes which are attached to the twenty-five suspension chords of the bridge. In 2018, Eventco was contracted by Dublin City Council to design, deliver and maintain this spectacular LED installation on Dublin’s iconic Samuel Beckett Bridge.
Connection
The Samuel Beckett Bridge is also known as Droichead Samuel Beckett in Irish. It is a cable-stayed bridge in Dublin joining Sir John Rogerson’s Quay on the south side of the River Liffey to Guild Street and North Wall Quay in the Docklands area. The Samuel Beckett Bridge forms a link or a sort of connection and continuation of an existing street while also creating a necessary link in the urban sector between Macken Street/Cardiff Lane and Guild Street.
Design and Structure
Designed by Spanish architect, sculptor, and engineer, Santiago Calatrava, it is inspired by Santiago Calatrava’s sleek, asymmetric, signature bridge for Dublin. This cable-stayed balanced bridge with two unequal spans provides vehicular traffic and pedestrians access to crossing the Liffey River. Its unique design enables up to a 90-degree horizontal rotation for the sake of freeing the river channel and enabling water transport trying to cross the river.
This is his second bridge to be built in Dublin as he also designed ‘The James Joyce Bridge’ further upstream. Stylistically speaking it is very contemporary looking, yet it is conceptually traditional. The Samuel Beckett Bridge is in perfect tune with its edgy, historic Docklands surroundings. It is also a statement bridge and was planned from the start to fit in with the vision for the whole area. It is a symbol of change from the past and readiness for the future.
The bold design of the bridge imparts a definition to the urbanscape. The shiny architecture of the 21st century stands out among the other things in Dublin. the main support in the river consists of bored concrete piles, with a concrete pile cap supporting a circular concrete pier of varying diameter. This is house to the hydraulic turning and lifting equipment and the horizontal and vertical bearings, which support the entire bridge while turning.
The curving pylon soars 48 metres above the river and the city opens to the heavens and to the sea. It stands as an infinity of possibilities that humankind can be prone to.
FAQs
Why is it called the Samuel Beckett Bridge?
The Samuel Beckett bridge has been named after Samuel Beckett, the renowned Irish playwright, novelist and short story writer owing to his immense contributions in the literary field.
Can you walk across Samuel Beckett Bridge?
Yes, one can easily walk across the bridge and experience the infinity of possibilities that humankind can be prone to.
How does the Samuel Beckett Bridge work?
The working goes like this- the main support in the river consists of bored concrete piles, with a concrete pile cap supporting a circular concrete pier of varying diameter. This is house to the hydraulic turning and lifting equipment and the horizontal and vertical bearings, which support the entire bridge while turning.
How often does the Samuel Beckett Bridge open?
Thursday 12th May – 21:00 hours until 06:00 hours (Annual maintenance) Tuesday 24th May – 21:00 hours until 22:00 hours (Fortnightly operational check) Tuesday 7th June – 21:00 hours until 22:00 hours (Fortnightly operational check) Tuesday 21st June – 21:00 hours until 22:00 hours (Fortnightly operational check)