Brilliant sunshine greeted the official opening of Dublin's newest bridge this afternoon by the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Designed by architects Brian O'Halloran & Associates, the bridge is located to the east of the Talbot Memorial Bridge and provides a link between the IFSC in north docklands and the southside of the city.
The new pedestrian bridge is named after the Dublin playwright Sean O'Casey, who lived in the North Wall area from 1897 to 1920. It continues a Dublin tradition of naming the city's bridges after famous Irish citizens.
The opening ceremony was attended by Sean O'Casey's daughter Shivaun; the Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche; the Lord Mayor of Dublin Catherine Byrne; and members of Docklands Authority Board and Council.
' Enlightenment,' a specially commissioned performance by dance company CoisCeim, was staged on the bridge accompanied by a dramatic water sculpture display on the river. The ceremony also featured readings from the O'Casey play ' Red Roses for Me,' performed by actor Barry McGovern.
Speaking at the launch Mr Ahern said the new bridge would ensure a 'vital link between the southside of the city and the vibrant docklands area.'
"It is fitting that this bridge be called after a playwright who lived in the North Wall for a quarter for a century. He gave voice to the poor of Dublin and the people who lived in the area at that time."
Mr Ahern also reminded developers in the docklands area to look to the local community when recruiting workers.
"I am reminding developers that there is a very vibrant local community here with a huge amount of skills who would take great pleasure and delight in building their community if they were given a chance," he said.
"They should be given first preference for suitable employment and it doesn't wash with any of us when we're told that perhaps there's some reason why they're not suitable. Rather than have a row with us all we'd just rather you employed them because if you don't you will have a row with us all across parties," he added.
Mr Lar Bradshaw, Chairman of the Docklands Authority, said the bridge was a hugely significant step in the development of Dublin's docklands area.
"Today is really about creating linkages - linking the north and south quays, linking new and established communities; linking districts such as Grand Canal Dock, North Lotts and the IFSC.
"We are particularly delighted to have an opportunity to provide a landmark tribute to the memory of Sean O'Casey in an area of the city which inspired so much of his great work. Sean O'Casey wouldn't recognise his Dublin or the docklands today. Life has greatly improved since then and we continue to work on improving the quality of life for docklanders" he added.
Weighing over 320 tonnes, the new bridge was built in Poland and spans almost 100 metres between the North and South Quays. It is a 'swing' bridge and has two arms that will swing open to allow boats pass up and down the river.
A truly international project, the main contractor for the project subcontracted the production of the opening section to Barnsley-based Qualter Hall & Company who worked with a twelve-strong team of Polish ship builders. The balustrade was produced by canal engineering in Nottingham, the balustrade panels from French company Euroslot and the deck from Promecon in Denmark