The Portobello bridge is one of the Grand Canal bridges. If you live in Rathmines and heading into town, you will most likely walk across the bridge, connecting the neighbourhood to the centre. Built in 1791, it was named La Touche Bridge, after William Digges La Touche, which was the director of the Grand Canal Company. I don't know anyone referring to the bridge with its original name though. Portobello, which means beautiful harbour, is the common name and to me, it's very suitable for this pretty little structure.
On a sunny day, I quite like sitting on one of the benches overlooking the canal on the left side of the bridge (when you're walking from Rathmines) with a take-away coffee and panini from café Mocha, located on the corner. Avoid sitting down at the other side of the bridge, where local drunks entertain themselves by throwing empty beer-cans into the canal. Sometimes they get too caught up in the game and start pushing each other. You would NOT want to swim in this water. read more