The River Liffey

The River Liffey rises in the Wicklow Mountains and flows through Wicklow, Kildare and Dublin before emptying into Dublin Bay. The river is notable because it flows through the centre of Dublin City during its course. The river travels over 125km during its course though the Irish countryside and cityscapes before reaching the Irish Sea.

The course of the river is one of contrast, from the Limestone Mountains of the Wicklow Mountains to the farm lands of Kildare and County Dublin before it meanders through Dublin City. The river passes through three ESB hydroelectric power stations (Poulaphouca, Golden Falls and Leixlip) as well as through towns such as Ballymore Eustace, Newbridge, Leixlip and Lucan.

The uses of the River Liffey have changed during the last 2000 years when the Vikings first arrived and used the town we know as Dublin as a slave trade town. Since then the river has transformed from one that used to carry regular traffic both up the river and as a portal to the Royal and Grand canals. Today the river services traffic in and out of Dublin Port, but the shallow nature of the river does cause problems.

Today the river is used as a focal point in the middle of Dublin city. Walkways were built along to offer more room for walkers and people who want to sit by the river. The river is crossed many times by bridges and each year is home to the Liffey Swim and the Liffey Descent.