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River Liffey
Boardwalks of Liffey and O'Connell Bridge, in Dublin
Origin	Mt. Kippure, County Wicklow
Mouth	Irish Sea at Dublin Bay
Basin countries	Ireland
Length	~125 km (75 mi)
Source elevation	~500 m (1,640 ft)
Avg. discharge	N/A
Basin area	N/A

The Liffey (An Life in Irish) is a river in Ireland, which flows through the centre of Dublin. Its major tributaries include the River Dodder, the River Poddle and the River Camac.

The river was previously named An Ruirthech, meaning "fast (or strong) runner".^[1] The word Liphe (or Life) referred originally to the name of the plain through which the river ran, but eventually came to refer to the river itself.^{[citation needed]} It was also known as the Anna Liffey,^[2] possibly from an Anglicization of Abhainn na Life, the Irish phrase that translates into English as River Liffey.^[3]

The Liffey rises near Kippure, a mountain in County Wicklow, and flows for around 125 km (78 mi) through counties Wicklow, Kildare and Dublin before entering the Irish Sea in Dublin Bay.

There are three ESB hydroelectric power stations along the river, at Poulaphouca, Golden Falls and Leixlip, as well as a number of minor private installations.

Towns along the river include Ballymore Eustace, Newbridge, Clane, Celbridge, Leixlip and Lucan before the river reaches the city of Dublin at its mouth.

Dublin's famous Ha'penny Bridge.

Further information: History of Dublin and Dublin Port

The River Liffey in Dublin city has been used for many centuries for trade, from the Viking beginnings of the city up to recent times.

A well-known sight on the Liffey up to the 1990s, the Lady Patricia^[4] and Miranda Guinness^[4] cargo ships were used to export Guinness from the St. James's Gate Brewery.

In recent years, the only regular traffic on the river within the city is the Liffey Voyage water tour bus service, which runs guided tours along the River Liffey through Dublin City centre. Departing from the boardwalk downstream of the Ha'penny Bridge, the Spirit of the Docklands runs under O'Connell Bridge, Butt Bridge and the Talbot Memorial Bridge on a journey downstream, passing the Custom House before turning at the Grand Canal Basin and back up stream. Built by Westers Mekaniska in Sweden, this 50 passenger water taxi, has variable ballast tanks (not unlike a submarine) and an exceptionally low air draught which means that at low tide it can float high, but at high tide it can ride low and pass below the Liffey Bridges.

"Sarah's Bridge on the River Anna Liffey" (1831) Sarah's Bridge is today called Island Bridge. The then new Wellington Monument is seen on the left of the picture.

Upstream from the city, at Chapelizod, the river is used by both university and Garda rowing clubs. The Liffey Descent canoeing event, held each year since 1960, covers a 27 km (17 mi) course from Straffan to Islandbridge.

Downstream of the East-Link bridge, the river is still mainly used for commercial and ferry traffic, with some recreational use also. High speed trips out the mouth of the Liffey are also available from Sea Safari.^[5]

Further information: List of Dublin bridges and tunnels

Dividing the Northside of Dublin from the Southside, the Liffey is spanned by numerous bridges mostly open to vehicular traffic. Notable are the West-Link Bridge on the M50 motorway, the Sean Heuston Bridge, the O'Connell Bridge, and the Millennium and Ha'penny foot bridges.

The song about Seamus Rafferty refers to the "bowsies on the quay" - However, recent years have seen much development on the quays, with the addition of linear parks and overhanging boardwalks which give the river banks renewed life.

The quays of the Liffey include: Custom House Quay, Bachelor's Walk, Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Eden Quay and Merchant's Quay.

From Joyce to Radiohead, the Liffey is often referenced in literature and song:

A view upstream from Grattan Bridge, towards the Four Courts (the domed building), with Essex Quay and Wood Quay on the right bank (left of picture) and Upper Ormond Quay on the left bank (right of picture).