[1] As the Liffey flows into the town of Chapelizod, a weir divides the course to form a large mill race.

Split by the two bodies of water, the island at Chapelizod has been a base for industry since at least the 18th century.

The bridge was renamed in 1982 to mark the centenary of James Joyce's birth.

As the only bridge 8 km past the Strawberry Beds to Chapelizod, and a main thoroughfare for traffic from the western suburbs (e.g.: Clonsilla and Blanchardstown) to Dublin city centre, the volume of road traffic over the bridge and through Chapelizod has increased in recent years.

[5] Preparatory works for this initiative commenced in 2010[6] and the official opening was held in December 2011.