sentences:  The hurdles were probably located about 100 metres west of the point where Father Mathew Bridge now crosses the Liffey, but in the absence of archaeological evidence both its nature and precise location must remain matters of speculation.In ancient times the lower course of the Liffey is believed to have formed part of the boundary between the provinces, or "overkingdoms", of Leinster and Mide (though there is some conflicting evidence which suggests that the boundary was actually marked by another river, the Tolka, which now discharges into Dublin Bay about a kilometre north of the Liffey).Áth Cliath, which belonged to Leinster, must have been an important trading place thanks to its strategic location on this political boundary.