Above Image: Bridge access from Bankside Cottages
X = Car park in village. XX = Entrance to bridge © Google Maps
This unassuming but yet locally historic little bridge was once a feature on the old Dublin to Wicklow road. It remained a bit forlorn for a number of years until a greenway project opened up this stretch of the Dodder river banks and made the bridge again accessible to all.
The bridge falls into the category of a "Packhorse Bridge" and indeed takes its name from it. These type of bridges can have a single or multiple arches or in this case it is twin-arched. Also, this bridge has a triangular extension to the centre support that allows a small rectangular area to jut outwards from the top of the Southern wall. This allowed pedestrians in times past to step back in off the centre of the bridge to allow horses to pass with their load. The walls on top across the bridge were also built a little lower to allow the saddle bags and packs on the horses to move freely across its span. This little step back is still there today and frequently I've seen people lying forth on their elbows to view the water below.
As to the date of the bridge's origin it's hard to define exactly, but there is a strong folklore tradition that it was built sometime around 1650 and that Cromwell crossed it during the initial part of the invasion of Ireland. If there is truth to this then the bridge may be a little older than thought as Cromwell reached Milltown in August of 1649. The bridge was originally built to replace a hazardous ford on the Dodder and so it is more likely troops and horses would have used a bridge to cross to engage in what was a bloody siege and battle with confederate forces. The church in Milltown was also ransacked before the invading forces moved on to the battle in Rathmines.
Packhorse bridge retains most of its original structure with perhaps some remedial work on the cobbling and such. The Bankside cottages run down a lane to it from the main road leading onto the modern road bridge and the small bridge can also be accessed on its other side from the Milltown road. The whole of the Dodder walk is a very bucolic experience but I have a fondness for this small bridge and its environs.
To find the bridge if visiting the area I would advise parking in Milltown village opposite the Wilde & Green café then walk back up towards the main road bridge. Continue straight on towards the Nine Arches Luas bridge (R820) and halfway between the two bridges is a small opening in the riverside wall. This leads directly onto Packhorse bridge (see map above).
Co-Ordinates: 53.30965, -6.24844
