The curved shape of the pylon, leaning northwards, gives the bridge the image of a harp (national symbol of Ireland) lying on its side.
The bridge is a cable-stayed bridge that can rotate in its entirety. The bridge deck is 123 metres long, 26 metres wide and rests on one central (pivot) point. The pylon is placed next to the shipping traffic route at about 28 metres from the southern quay. This gives the bridge an asymmetrical shape. The Samuel Beckett Bridge can be opened to an angle of 90 degrees, allowing shipping traffic to and from the sea to pass through unhindered. This angle of rotation is achieved by a specially developed rotation mechanism, which is located in the base of the central support. Hollandia designed and supplied this rotation mechanism.