A further condition of construction was that, if the citizens of Dublin found the bridge and toll to be "objectionable" within its first year of operation, it was to be removed at no cost to the city.

The manufacture of the bridge was commissioned by the then Lord Mayor of Dublin, John Claudius Beresford with the Coalbrookdale Company of England.

Using ore originally mined in County Leitrim's Sliabh an Iarainn,[7] the bridge's cast iron ribs were made in 18 sections and then shipped to Dublin.

[8] In 2001, the number of pedestrians using the bridge on a daily basis was 27,000 and, given these traffic levels, a structural survey indicated that renovation was required.

[3] The bridge was closed for repair and renovations during 2001 and was reopened in December 2001,[5] sporting its original white colour.