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Ireland's Most Interesting Bridges

12346

Comments

  • #252
    PseudoFamous
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,514 ✭✭✭PseudoFamous


    Well, as every other bridge in the country, including some VERY interesting motorway bridges (I can't find the sarcasm tag), has been posted, I think we need some real class.
    BAM!
    nineteenarches.jpg
    That's the Nineteen Arches Bridge, otherwise known as the LONGEST hand-built stone arch bridge in Ireland.
    What? You only see 13 arches? THEY DON'T MAKE CAMERAS WIDE ENOUGH TO BESTOW ALL OF IT'S GLORY.
    Never fear, it DOES live up to it's name, and it is FRIKKEN BADASS.
    What did you say?! It looks old?! Kid, this top tier human achievement was built in SEVENTEEN FIFTY NINE.
    Let's see YOU build a damned bridge that lasts 252 years AND stays modern looking. Punk.
    Finally, I hear you ask "Where can I see this classy piece of Engineering?". Over the Avoca River.
    The BEST river that flows through Arklow. Which is also the BEST town in Wicklow. And probably Leinster too.


  • #253
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    OK "interesting" might not be the correct term, Notorious may be more correct.

    Garrycastle Bridge Athlone, well past it's sell by date.

    157212.JPG


  • #254
    the_syco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,304 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    PseudoFamous wrote: »
    What? You only see 13 arches? THEY DON'T MAKE CAMERAS WIDE ENOUGH TO BESTOW ALL OF IT'S GLORY.
    They do, actually...

    [url="https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/3532/157238.jpg[/img][/url]

    Click the picture to see it with Google Maps :D


  • #255
    tippspur
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,057 ✭✭✭tippspur


    23042011367.jpg
    By tippspur59 at 2011-04-25
    Kilsheelan Bridge Co Tipperary.


  • #256
    A2LUE42
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,543 ✭✭✭A2LUE42


    http://www.clarepeople.com/wordp5/201010243873/work-on-killaloe-bridge-will-only-go-half-way/

    and what it used to look like
    http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/libraries/tipperary-joint-libraries/reading-room/postcards-of-ireland/ballina---ballina-from-killaloe.jpg

    and as I was looking for a photo, I came across this..

    http://www.gutenberg.org/files/19329/19329-8.txt

    which while not exactly what this thread is for, might be of interest to some.


  • #257
    dowlingm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,337 ✭✭✭dowlingm


    Re the Garrycastle bridge.

    I presume this article refers:
    http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2011/02/09/4003057-shortfall-of-375m-in-funding-for-garrycastle-bridge-/

    Interesting comment from Irish Rail there. I wasn't aware bridge headroom was a problem on THAT line... at least not since 1987.


  • #258
    whyulittle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,878 ✭✭✭whyulittle


    The problemm wasn't / isn't with the existing bridge.

    The design of the replacement bridge was too low.


  • #259
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,537 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    I'm amazed they're bothering to protect the loading gauge there, first bit of proactiveness from IE in that regard I've ever seen.


  • #260
    jmkennedyie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 678 ✭✭✭jmkennedyie


    Sorry don't have my own pic of it but don't think the bridge known at least locally as the 'oldest bridge in Ireland' was mentioned yet?

    King John's Bridge, Lucan.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuiecarrick/4262456908/

    Described at bottom of this:
    http://parks.southdublin.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=74&Itemid=134

    And here, looking a lot less photogenic:
    http://www.rpa.ie/en/rpa/archaeology/Pages/LuasLucan.aspx

    It's located here:
    http://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=53.348678&mlon=-6.439212&zoom=18&layers=M


  • #261
    Victor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78,490 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    jmkennedyie wrote: »
    Sorry don't have my own pic of it but don't think the bridge known at least locally as the 'oldest bridge in Ireland' was mentioned yet?
    Possibly not true.

    While this is a fake clapper bridge, there will have been older bridges. http://www.monasette.com/blog/gallery/bunlahinch/index.htm

    http://www.buildingsofireland.com/niah/search.jsp?type=images&county=NC&regno=20901724

    http://www.geograph.ie/photo/981065


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  • #262
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    Here's one, built in 1849. It partly collapsed a few years ago after a Limerick to Waterford train passed over it:

    DSCF4338.jpg

    DSCF4337.jpg

    DSCF4340.jpg

    DSCF4342.jpg

    DSCF4353.jpg

    DSCF4352.jpg

    DSCF4348.jpg


  • #263
    Judgement Day
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    Cahir was the scene of a more serious accident in 1955 when a beet train fell through the floor of the viaduct killing the driver and fireman. http://www.tipperarystar.ie/news/cahir_railway_tragedy_remembered_1_2255576 There is a plaque in the station commemorating the event.


  • #264
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    Fairly bad photo here of the bridge over the Suir in Cahir. Dates from approximately 1700 and carried the N24 until October 2007. I'll try to get a better photo from the base of the castle at some stage:

    DSCF4331.jpg

    DSCF4332.jpg


  • #265
    Judgement Day
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    The exact cause of the 1955 Cahir Accident remains shrouded in mystery to this day due to the death of the driver and fireman. The Inquiry report is available online - somewhere - but for now I include a link to the Limerick Leader from the day after the crash which may be of interest. http://limerickcity.ie/media/Disaster%2013.pdf

    I lived in the old schoolhouse, overlooking the East end of the viaduct, during the early 1990's and during that time there was yet another accident in the immediate vicinity. That time it was a Limerick bound cement train, I think, but it cleared the viaduct before derailing and many of the wagons ending up in nearby fields.


  • #266
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    Judgement Day wrote: »
    The exact cause of the 1955 Cahir Accident remains shrouded in mystery to this day due to the death of the driver and fireman. The Inquiry report is available online - somewhere - but for now I include a link to the Limerick Leader from the day after the crash which may be of interest. http://limerickcity.ie/media/Disaster%2013.pdf

    I lived in the old schoolhouse, overlooking the East end of the viaduct, during the early 1990's and during that time there was yet another accident in the immediate vicinity. That time it was a Limerick bound cement train, I think, but it cleared the viaduct before derailing and many of the wagons ending up in nearby fields.

    I'd never heard anything about that crash ere you mentioned it. I'll try to get a photo of the plaque on the wall of the railway station over the next week or two.


  • #267
    Victor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78,490 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    Cahir 1955 is referred to in the 2003 report http://www.raiu.ie/uploads/raiu/cahir_viaduct.pdf
    MYOB wrote: »
    I'm amazed they're bothering to protect the loading gauge there, first bit of proactiveness from IE in that regard I've ever seen.
    They have gradually been increasing the height of a large number of bridges, so that trains can carry higher containers.

    Is this the bridge? http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Garrycastle+Cottages,+Athlone,+County+West+Meath&hl=en&ll=53.422781,-7.90153&spn=0.00771,0.022724&sll=53.401034,-8.307638&sspn=7.904187,23.269043&geocode=Fd0tLwMdvXiH_w&z=16&layer=c&cbll=53.422698,-7.90156&panoid=7nHJdOgXYz9wBdcQQaRGTw&cbp=12,179.08,,0,25.39


  • #268
    Zubeneschamali
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,686 ✭✭✭✭Zubeneschamali


    Victor wrote: »
    Is this the bridge?

    That's the old bridge. The new one is to be to the East of that one. Plans here.


  • #269
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,537 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Victor wrote: »
    Cahir 1955 is referred to in the 2003 report http://www.raiu.ie/uploads/raiu/cahir_viaduct.pdf They have gradually been increasing the height of a large number of bridges, so that trains can carry higher containers.

    Is this the bridge? http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Garrycastle+Cottages,+Athlone,+County+West+Meath&hl=en&ll=53.422781,-7.90153&spn=0.00771,0.022724&sll=53.401034,-8.307638&sspn=7.904187,23.269043&geocode=Fd0tLwMdvXiH_w&z=16&layer=c&cbll=53.422698,-7.90156&panoid=7nHJdOgXYz9wBdcQQaRGTw&cbp=12,179.08,,0,25.39

    Its on a "closed" line Victor, hence my incredulousness.


  • #270
    Zubeneschamali
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,686 ✭✭✭✭Zubeneschamali


    MYOB wrote: »
    Its on a "closed" line Victor, hence my incredulousness.

    I seem to remember CIE holding up the M6 motorway near Galway, when they insisted that the motorway bridge over the single track had to be wide enough for any possible future double track from Dublin to Galway.


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  • #271
    dowlingm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,337 ✭✭✭dowlingm


    MYOB wrote: »
    Its on a "closed" line Victor, hence my incredulousness.
    Retaining the option of a second track even! My oh my.


  • #272
    ardmacha
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,476 ✭✭✭ardmacha


    I seem to remember CIE holding up the M6 motorway near Galway, when they insisted that the motorway bridge over the single track had to be wide enough for any possible future double track from Dublin to Galway.

    it was pretty sad that a plan for the M6 was produced which did not provide clearance for twin tracks, there should have been no need for delay.


  • #273
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    I've moved posts about oil etc. to a new thread.


  • #274
    Wild Bill
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,129 ✭✭✭Wild Bill


    Anyway...about bridges. THIS is, beyond any reasonable doubt, the most interesting bridge in Ireland.

    It carries a railway line over the N21 near Tralee.

    I could write a book in its praise; but I'll let the picture do the talking.

    IMG_4596-2.jpg


  • #275
    Judgement Day
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    Why is it so interesting? The nice shade of green? Lack of height clearance signs? :confused:


  • #276
    lottpaul
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,165 ✭✭✭lottpaul


    Judgement Day wrote: »
    Why is it so interesting? The nice shade of green? Lack of height clearance signs? :confused:

    I'm inclined to agree - never noticed the lack of height clearance signage before - but to be fair the picture doesn't do it justice

    and it's 100% better and safer than the narrow, dangerous, flood prone black spot that it replaced :)


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  • #277
    Wild Bill
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,129 ✭✭✭Wild Bill


    Judgement Day wrote: »
    Why is it so interesting? The nice shade of green? Lack of height clearance signs? :confused:

    All of these things - and many more.

    Do you need height clearance signs under an 20ft clearance? :confused:


  • #278
    Wild Bill
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,129 ✭✭✭Wild Bill


    Here is an interesting example of an interesting bridge; it needs height clearance signs oncoming only.

    Crazy stuff, the like of which you'd only find in Westmeath.

    IMG_4592-1.jpg

    ;)


  • #279
    AugustusMinimus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,561 ✭✭✭AugustusMinimus


    lismorelarge3.jpg

    Foot bridge known as the "Towers" off of the R666 between Lismore and Ballyduff, Co. Waterford.

    Legend has it that due to the cost of the bridge and the grand entrance, the person who built it couldn't afford the house it was leading to. In reality, Ballyasaggartmore House burned down about 50 years ago.


  • #280
    Judgement Day
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    AugustusMinimus wrote: »
    Foot bridge known as the "Towers" off of the R666 between Lismore and Ballyduff, Co. Waterford.

    Legend has it that due to the cost of the bridge and the grand entrance, the person who built it couldn't afford the house it was leading to. In reality, Ballyasaggartmore House burned down about 50 years ago.

    Beat you to it see post http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=67553428&postcount=27 :D

    The legend is true and the house that burned down was not the grand house that was to have been built before the dosh ran out.


  • #281
    Rock of Gibraltar
    Registered Users Posts: 179 ✭✭Rock of Gibraltar


    The Mizen Head footbridge is quite a sight;
    http://fr.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?id=s0000664

    It has been restored and was featured on the RTE news the other day.


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  • #282
    dowlingm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,337 ✭✭✭dowlingm


    Wild Bill wrote: »
    Here is an interesting example of an interesting bridge; it needs height clearance signs oncoming only.
    I've passed under several bridges here in Ontario with lower height clearances on the outside lanes than the inside ones, due to slightly arched bridge decks/supports.


  • #283
    Wild Bill
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,129 ✭✭✭Wild Bill


    dowlingm wrote: »
    I've passed under several bridges here in Ontario with lower height clearances on the outside lanes than the inside ones, due to slightly arched bridge decks/supports.

    Must cause some abrupt last minute lane changes! :eek:


  • #284
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,537 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Wild Bill wrote: »
    Must cause some abrupt last minute lane changes! :eek:

    Happens on the M50 through the N3 junction quite frequently, due to drivers of high vehicles panicking. Although I'm not sure its always unfounded, saw a hay bale truck which cleared every bridge from the M1 fine and had to dodge the arches for what seemed like good reason!


  • #285
    the_syco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,304 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    Rock of Gibraltar wrote: »
    The Mizen Head footbridge is quite a sight;
    http://fr.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?id=s0000664

    It has been restored and was featured on the RTE news the other day.
    http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mizen-head-lighthouse-bridge-to-be-repopened-515499.html
    The bridge linking Mizen Head lighthouse to the mainland is due to be officially reopened today.

    The bridge was closed in 2005 after it was deemed unsafe.

    The new bridge - which is almost 50 metres above the Atlantic - connects the mainland to Cloghane Island.

    It cost €1.8m and was funded by Fáilte Ireland, the Commissioners of Irish Lights and Cork County Council.

    The station and the bridge are popular tourist attractions with more than 60,000 people visiting the sites every year.

    Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar will officially reopen the bridge this afternoon.


  • #286
    Chuck Stone
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,030 ✭✭✭✭Chuck Stone


    What a brilliant thread.


  • #287
    stevielenihan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 320 ✭✭stevielenihan


    Judgement Day wrote: »
    LISPOLE VIADUCT, CO.KERRY

    Okay, change of idea, most interesting bridges rather than most beautiful! I will kick off with this pic of Lispole Viaduct on the former Tralee & Dingle Railway. The viaduct is interesting for all sorts of reasons:

    *It was situated on a falling gradient the bottom of which was on the central span of the bridge.
    *The viaduct was in such poor condition by the 1930s that double-heading across it (two locomotives) was forbidden but in practice was frequently ignored. This was due to trains being pushed too fast down the 1:29 gradient in the westerly direction, and drivers heading for Tralee being afraid that if they stopped to detach a locomotive they would not be able to restart their train on the incline.
    *Scene of a serious goods train accident in 1907.
    *The fact that it refuses to die some 57 years after the last train passed over it.

    1975_lispole_viaduct_s0030763.jpg

    gradmain.jpg
    Gradient profile: www.chestermodelrailwayclub.com

    will the tralee to dingle railway ever reopen as a railway again/


  • #288
    lottpaul
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,165 ✭✭✭lottpaul


    stevielenihan wrote: »
    will the tralee to dingle railway ever reopen as a railway again/

    Sadly not. Most of the line was alongside the road which has now been widened. The bridges are still there but would need a total upgrade and the train itself was so slow that it often took 2 or 3 hours to get to Tralee. A bus/lorry can easily do it in an hour.
    There would have been a much better case for reopening the Valentia line but road widening etc makes that impossible now.
    Must try to get a pic of the railway bridge in Camp - still intact and very impressive.


  • #289
    DWCommuter
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,032 ✭✭✭DWCommuter


    lottpaul wrote: »
    Sadly not. Most of the line was alongside the road which has now been widened. The bridges are still there but would need a total upgrade and the train itself was so slow that it often took 2 or 3 hours to get to Tralee. A bus/lorry can easily do it in an hour.
    There would have been a much better case for reopening the Valentia line but road widening etc makes that impossible now.
    Must try to get a pic of the railway bridge in Camp - still intact and very impressive.

    This one?

    256259_0a3f3058.jpg

    Or this one?

    pict3746.jpg

    I think both have already been referenced in this thread.


  • #290
    Stinicker
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 7,102 ✭✭✭Stinicker


    The bridge to Fenit Harbour in Kerry.

    The bridge used to carry railway traffic back in the day and it is Ireland's most westerly port and is still used to ship out manufactured Cranes from Liebhers in Killarney and was used to import some of the massive wind turbines erected through Kerry in recent years. Road transport is used nowadays however.

    On the bridge

    http://www.geolocation.ws/v/W/4cbf590b1d41c87f0600694d/fenit-harbour-bridge-this-is-the-trestle/en


  • #291
    stevielenihan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 320 ✭✭stevielenihan


    lottpaul wrote: »
    Sadly not. Most of the line was alongside the road which has now been widened. The bridges are still there but would need a total upgrade and the train itself was so slow that it often took 2 or 3 hours to get to Tralee. A bus/lorry can easily do it in an hour.
    There would have been a much better case for reopening the Valentia line but road widening etc makes that impossible now.
    Must try to get a pic of the railway bridge in Camp - still intact and very impressive.



    Is all of the tracebed of the tralee to dingle railway still there? Would it be possible to walk across one of the viaducts on the tralee to dingle railway?

    will the tralee to fenit railway line ever reopen as a railwya again?


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  • #292
    Judgement Day
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    How many more posts are you going to bring up again and ask the same question? Why not contribute to the thread instead? Sorry for back seat modding. :rolleyes:


  • #293
    stevielenihan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 320 ✭✭stevielenihan


    Judgement Day wrote: »
    How many more posts are you going to bring up again and ask the same question? Why not contribute to the thread instead? Sorry for back seat modding. :rolleyes:


    I just wan to know. i take it that the west cork railway line will never reopen either will it?


  • #294
    lottpaul
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,165 ✭✭✭lottpaul


    stevielenihan wrote: »
    I just wan to know. i take it that the west cork railway line will never reopen either will it?

    It's not very likely that any lines will reopen in the next 10 - 20 years. We just won't be able to afford it, but you never know what the future will hold.


  • #295
    stevielenihan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 320 ✭✭stevielenihan


    lottpaul wrote: »
    It's not very likely that any lines will reopen in the next 10 - 20 years. We just won't be able to afford it, but you never know what the future will hold.

    we see what happens. the west cork railway would be handy and important if it reopened and so would the tralee to dingle railway line


  • #296
    kilkenny31
    Registered Users Posts: 701 ✭✭✭kilkenny31


    SmallSamuelBeckettBridgeDublin.jpg
    Samuel Beckett Bridge
    image1.jpg
    Sean O Casey bridge
    J
    1939_james_joyce_bridge_dublin_s0012071.jpg
    James Joyce Bridge
    3412839960_55528d5a68.jpg
    Spencer dock.
    800px-Loopline_Bridge.JPG
    Loopline Bridge
    OConnellBridgeDublin-big.jpg
    o' connell bridge
    hapenny-bridge-dublin-places-1-screensaver.jpg
    hapenny bridge


  • #297
    dowlingm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,337 ✭✭✭dowlingm


    stevielenihan wrote: »
    will the [SOMEWHERE IN IRELAND] to [SOMEWHERE ELSE IN IRELAND] railway line ever reopen as a railwya (sic) again?
    No.


  • #298
    stevielenihan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 320 ✭✭stevielenihan


    stevielenihan wrote: »
    we see what happens. the west cork railway would be handy and important if it reopened and so would the tralee to dingle railway line

    I went throught lispole last tuesday and i saw the lispole viaduct. a pity trains dont cross it anymore


  • #299
    strassenwo!f
    Registered Users Posts: 1,512 ✭✭✭strassenwo!f


    kilkenny31, those are some lovely pictures of Dublin bridges.

    (I think the Millenium Bridge also has its moments, when the lighting is right).

    You have to hand it to the designer and builders of the Ha'penny Bridge. Not taking away from what Mr Calatrava and others have done in recent years, but that one really just belongs to the river and, in my opinion, never fails to look simple and beautiful. A masterpiece.


  • #300
    ardmacha
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,476 ✭✭✭ardmacha


    You would think we would have had every bloody bridge here, but here are two more

    a newish one
    19641671.jpg

    and an older one
    010636_5f718c72.jpg


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  • #301
    flazio
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,249 ✭✭✭✭flazio


    Where are they?


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