From the Freeman’s journal, 3 July 1863:
“SIR – Kindly allow me to express my opinion on the construction of the Dublin Metropolitan Railway, and to offer what I think would be the most picturesque and least obstructive way the railway could run… Let a viaduct be constructed with cylindrical iron shafts, to run along the centre of the Liffey and over the bridges from the King’s-bridge terminus to a short distance below Carlisle-bridge; then to form two branches – one to Drogheda Railway Station, and the other to meet Kingstown Line outside Westland Row station … the central station could be opposite the Four Courts, and the river arched over to the length of the station… Hoping the corporation may take notice of this suggestion, I am, Sir, your very obedient servant.
OT HEALY, Architect and Engineer.”
If the above proposal had been carried out, the view from the portico of the Four Courts might have been something like that above, with the added attraction of a further viaduct at right angles running down the middle of the Liffey! The stuff of steampunk dreams and aesthete’s nightmares! So glad it didn’t happen – the much more discreet Luas is infinitely preferable!
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