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Ireland's Most Interesting Bridges

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 452 ✭✭Jomcc


    Probably a bit off topic, because this certainly couldn't be classed as one of Ireland's most interesting.

    I came across it some time ago and often wondered what it was for. There are two bridges seemingly in middle of nowhere. It's near Wolfhill, Co. Laois. While trying to figure out about it before posting here, I've just discovered that it's called Kilfeacle Bridge and from what I can see, it's part of Wolfhill Railay (never heard of that before).

    First two pics are of bridge 1 which goes over road. The 3rd pic is of second bridge, 200 or 300m away going over a lane. Pics are from Google Streetview as I didn't have camera when I was in that area.
    kilfeacle2.jpg
    kilfeacle1.jpg

    kilfeacle3.jpg

    Appears as if this bridge is more interesting than I first thought. I thought the bridge looked very modern in that it is re-inforced concrete rather than the older stone bridges. Finding references to the bridge being one of the first to use re-inforced concrete in manufacture......."The line was one of the first to use re-inforced concrete bridges the Barrow Viaduct in Athy being one and this long forgotten bridge at wolfhill being another!"


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


    Jomcc wrote: »
    Probably a bit off topic, because this certainly couldn't be classed as one of Ireland's most interesting.

    I came across it some time ago and often wondered what it was for. There are two bridges seemingly in middle of nowhere. It's near Wolfhill, Co. Laois. While trying to figure out about it before posting here, I've just discovered that it's called Kilfeacle Bridge and from what I can see, it's part of Wolfhill Railay (never heard of that before).

    First two pics are of bridge 1 which goes over road. The 3rd pic is of second bridge, 200 or 300m away going over a lane. Pics are from Google Streetview as I didn't have camera when I was in that area.
    kilfeacle2.jpg
    kilfeacle1.jpg

    kilfeacle3.jpg

    I think they are interesting bridges because they were only in operational use for about 11 years. They were on the line that served the Wolfhill Collieries. Opened in 1918 and closed in 1929. The rest of the line to Athy closed at later stages. Tracing the course of the line in Wolfhill these days is difficult.

    JD will no doubt give a far more detailed description.:D


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


    DWCommuter wrote: »
    I think they are interesting bridges because they were only in operational use for about 11 years. They were on the line that served the Wolfhill Collieries. Opened in 1918 and closed in 1929. The rest of the line to Athy closed at later stages. Tracing the course of the line in Wolfhill these days is difficult.

    JD will no doubt give a far more detailed description.:D

    I wish that I could! However, as you say DW it is very hard to trace the line in the Wolfhill area and I long ago gave up trying. The line was constructed under the Defence of the Realm Act by the British Government to open up the Wolfhill collieries during the Great War ( as opposed to the Last War :D). As far as I remember the necessary materials were obtained by singling the line from Cherryville Junction to Athy/Carlow.

    Plenty of information from Hansard here: http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/lords/1917/oct/25/irish-colliery-transit-facilities

    And more here: http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/0028/D.0028.192902280017.html

    Support the Railway Dribblers Heritage Forum.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,284 ✭✭✭dubhthach


    There's a fragment of the Wolfhill branch route still there, you can see it here on the OSI map: http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,667933,693213,6,3

    It's a pity it wasn't built 10 years earlier because then it would have shown up in the 25" map (Athy surveyed in 1907)


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


    Craigavon Bridge in Derry. Only a few doubledecker style bridges in Europe.

    It doesn't always look like this. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jameswhorriskey/5249204825/

    I imagine that one reason that traffic isn't oneway on each deck is that the lower deck (not designed for road) is rather tricky for HGVs.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,385 ✭✭✭cardwizzard


    Yes v good point. Suppose I have never seen a bus or HGV on the lower deck!! Think it was for the old railway, could be wrong on that.

    The ice was unreal on the Foyle this winter, nice pic, was up home for Christmas and saw what was left.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 368 ✭✭Roryhy


    I find it very interesting that a substantial piece of infrastructure like this can almost completely be removed from the landscape, and memory by as few as 80 years. I managed with great difficulty to retrace most of the route the railway took via maps and research. Also another interesting thing i came across is the intention to use the old bridge across the Barrow in Athy as part of their new inner relief road.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 319 ✭✭Ban Ki Moon


    25umlnn.jpg


  • Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    25umlnn.jpg

    To be replaced, or just removed?


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


    I don't think this one is already here, Kilcommer Co Cork.

    killcomergall1.jpg


    LROY_00044_BridgetownRailway_Viaduct.jpg


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


    ardmacha wrote: »
    I don't think this one is already here, Kilcommer Co Cork.

    Post #4 - Blackwater Viaduct nr.Fermoy - seems to go under a variety of different names. :)


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


    Have we had Carickabrick?:D Or as I like to call it "the Bruno Stachel Bridge.":D



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


    Post #4 - Blackwater Viaduct nr.Fermoy - seems to go under a variety of different names.

    Drat. This thread should require coordinates for all locations.

    Anyhow lets try again.
    Castletown viaduct on Dundalk Greenore line (now dismanted) with my Granda's train. The bridge at the northern end of the Dundalk relief road (now N52) is pretty much at this location.

    castletownviaduct.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,212 ✭✭✭dave 27


    from Limerick city..

    Longest pedestrian bridge in Ireland, university of limerick living bridge

    2365471473_83b45f0878.jpg

    5065784109_57ebb8cce5_z.jpg

    2421966454_2197653771_z.jpg?zz=1

    2421966232_93bdddd681.jpg

    3950210284_c71fe66c75.jpg


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


    cdr-terminus-victoria-road.jpg

    Back to Derry/Londonderry again and another view of Craigavon Bridge - this time a rather nice shot taken from the east bank and showing the narrow gauge CDR Terminus at Victoria Road. Today, directly across the river from this scene lies the remains of the Foyle Valley Railway Museum - a monument to intransigence. :(


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 252 ✭✭teekayd25


    Two bridges over the River Barrow, near New Ross


    "Red Barrow Bridge" (disused railway bridge)

    800px-Red-Barrow_bridge_taken_from_Cherrys_Road.JPG


    old-railway-brdge-above-new-ross-01_resize-1919.jpg?w=500&h=375



    Mountgarrett "ferry" bridge (with inbuilt Scherzer system unused for many years)

    2753931757_636645d3ec.jpg


    ferrymountgarrett-bridge-04_resize.jpg?w=500&h=750



    Street View


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,319 ✭✭✭Trick of the Tail


    The bridge across to the Mt Elliot tunnel, above, is an amazing contraption. It was opened by hand - a crank handle operating the whole span via an enormous gearbox. I've got pics of the workings somewhere.

    Re the 2nd pics, whats a Scherzer System?

    Andy


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 252 ✭✭teekayd25


    alinton wrote: »
    The bridge across to the Mt Elliot tunnel, above, is an amazing contraption. It was opened by hand - a crank handle operating the whole span via an enormous gearbox. I've got pics of the workings somewhere.

    Re the 2nd pics, whats a Scherzer System?

    Andy

    Basically amounts to being a bridge with a "rolling lift" (named after its American engineer / developer William Scherzer). My knowledge and / or understanding of the mechanism itself however would be limited. :D

    Dublin (north quays) has a couple of this type as well.

    locks_lge.jpg


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 252 ✭✭teekayd25


    Street View offers the chance to check on a few other disused railway bridges that aren't photographed all that much


    Killorglin


    Cahirciveen


    Waterford "Old Iron Bridge"


  • Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    teekayd25 wrote: »
    Basically amounts to being a bridge with a "rolling lift" (named after its American engineer / developer William Scherzer). My knowledge and / or understanding of the mechanism itself however would be limited. :D

    Dublin (north quays) has a couple of this type as well.

    locks_lge.jpg


    A quick google produces this http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=0u5G8E3uPUAC&pg=PA714&lpg=PA714&dq=bridge+Scherzer+System%3F&source=bl&ots=ooc8-j9d4X&sig=YRQ1SM4WFDWgpI5y1ZSAgjHbM-M&hl=en&ei=DmphTcTTB9G04gad8dCHCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBYQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=bridge%20Scherzer%20System%3F&f=false quite interesting!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,822 ✭✭✭Morf


    teekayd25 wrote: »
    Two bridges over the River Barrow, near New Ross


    "Red Barrow Bridge" (disused railway bridge)

    800px-Red-Barrow_bridge_taken_from_Cherrys_Road.JPG


    old-railway-brdge-above-new-ross-01_resize-1919.jpg?w=500&h=375

    It the course of New Ross head of the river from St. Mullins to New Ross, i'm pretty sure i rowed under this.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 558 ✭✭✭OurLadyofKnock


    Tremelo wrote: »
    I'm going to include this tiny bridge simply because of its age. It dates from around 1200, and is located in a field about 3km from Golden off the N74.

    This is the view of the priory. It is a vast complex, and the bridge is visible in the center left of the photo:

    DSCF3341.jpg

    DSCF3343.jpg

    DSCF3345.jpg

    The stream that ran beneath the bridge is now dry. Here is a view from the river bed looking up at one of the arches of the bridge (the stone work is original):


    Just beyond the bridge this is the view into the priory:


    It is filled with effigies, spiral stair cases, arches, alters, and magnificent medieval architecture. All in a field, all free to visit and wander around. Also, a great place to go to at dusk for a deliciously creepy experience.

    A magical place I agree. Thanks for the photos.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,548 ✭✭✭Harps


    Anyone got any pics of the new Peace Bridge in Derry? I walked over it the other day but didnt get any decent pics worth posting. Really adds to the city though I think


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 319 ✭✭Ban Ki Moon


    To be replaced, or just removed?
    To be removed because nobody uses it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 410 ✭✭topnotch




  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,056 ✭✭✭Tragedy


    Tremelo, any chance you could link me to where the priory is on google maps? A quick search+perusal of street view hasn't helped me find it heading south east out of Golden.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,765 ✭✭✭jd


    Interesting that night-Wexford bridge during skyfest with a 300m pryotechnic "waterfall"

    152876.jpg


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


    Not terribly interesting, but an often used seldom seen bridge - Athlone Bypass Bridge.

    03E85890DEC24729A339957E4246FB59-0000315944-0002269142-00800L-958D1F9F465044459846AC2262E1AF3A.jpg

    1721524EB1D04C73970E99FBE9A4A9F9-0000315944-0002269141-00800L-3B968EDC568348C295259FAFC03F0A83.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,316 ✭✭✭source


    Sarsfield Bridge, Limerick City

    2435218841

    Wellesley Pier, on Sarsfield Bridge home to two of Limericks boar clubs, Shannon and Limerick.

    392505676_8d2cffaa51_o_d.jpg

    The opposite side of the pier.

    2037882_7fe358c9.jpg


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 368 ✭✭Roryhy


    Always liked this one in Grand Canal Dock, Dublin
    4280719746_0cf4209b32_b.jpg


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,361 ✭✭✭mgmt


    Dublin's, O'Connell Bridge.


























    in St. Stephans Green :)
    29465774_10d72ead36.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,554 ✭✭✭✭Cookie_Monster


    Roryhy wrote: »
    Always liked this one in Grand Canal Dock, Dublin
    snip image

    the fan effect on that is class looking


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,284 ✭✭✭dubhthach


    the fan effect on that is class looking

    What they call a skewed arch. Quite a number of the bridges built over the canals (Grand and Royal) during late 18th century were of skew arch design.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,319 ✭✭✭Trick of the Tail


    But why is it so low?

    A.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,284 ✭✭✭dubhthach


    alinton wrote: »
    But why is it so low?

    A.

    The railway bridge beside Grand Canal dock? Well the trainline is elevated at Westland Row (Pearse Station), the gradient starts at Lansdowne and is quite gradual. If the Bridge was higher then the entire line into Pearse street would have to be higher.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,385 ✭✭✭cardwizzard


    Harps wrote: »
    Anyone got any pics of the new Peace Bridge in Derry? I walked over it the other day but didnt get any decent pics worth posting. Really adds to the city though I think


    I don't think its open yet. Was up home at the weekend and it looks like its nearly there.

    Anybody know what its to be called? The bridge is very impressive, kinda like that one in Limerick university. Can only walk across it, no traffic, pedestrian. Nice pic would be nice.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78,631 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    alinton wrote: »
    But why is it so low?

    A.
    It is one of the oldest railway bridges in the country (and not far off oldest in the world), so questions like "How do I get my supercube truck past the railway?" hadn't yet arisen. There are higher bridges nearby. Note that much of the surrounding land isn't much higher than high tide.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,135 ✭✭✭trellheim


    That bridge ( Grand Canal Dock) underpass currently has flashing signs at each end at Pearse St and Grand Canal St saying "No Through Road from 26 APRIL" which means the rest of the cycle lane is going in i.e. it is going pedestrian/cycle.


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  • Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Victor wrote: »
    It is one of the oldest railway bridges in the country (and not far off oldest in the world), so questions like "How do I get my supercube truck past the railway?" hadn't yet arisen. There are higher bridges nearby. Note that much of the surrounding land isn't much higher than high tide.


    Like this! :D



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,299 ✭✭✭✭MadsL


    trellheim wrote: »
    That bridge ( Grand Canal Dock) underpass currently has flashing signs at each end at Pearse St and Grand Canal St saying "No Through Road from 26 APRIL" which means the rest of the cycle lane is going in i.e. it is going pedestrian/cycle.

    Some smart thinking there...does that mean they will be ripping up heritage cobble sets and lobbing galvanised poles to beat the band?

    That another Dublin location ruined by DCC. When are DCC going to understand that well preserved/conserved heritage = money for the city?

    heritage = film shoots = tourism = tourism revenue is just one part of the heritage equation.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,135 ✭✭✭trellheim


    Victor had previously posted the DCC Planning application ref with the diagrams, but yes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78,631 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    MadsL wrote: »
    Some smart thinking there...does that mean they will be ripping up heritage cobble sets and lobbing galvanised poles to beat the band?

    That another Dublin location ruined by DCC. When are DCC going to understand that well preserved/conserved heritage = money for the city?

    heritage = film shoots = tourism = tourism revenue is just one part of the heritage equation.

    As best I know, they are keeping the coobles, although presonally, I think they could be relaid to give an easier ride.

    Of course, a lot of the car parking is being kept.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,135 ✭✭✭trellheim


    see pages 8 and 9 of

    http://www.dublincity.ie/AnitePublicDocs/00285823.pdf

    for more info.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,906 ✭✭✭Poxyshamrock


    Lurching wrote: »
    Heres my 2 contributions:
    Also, one beside my home place, the construction type escapes me, but this and the ha'penny bridge are the only two in the country. The council wanted to remove and replace it in 2000, but local disapproval meant that they built a soleless concrete bridge adjacent to it.

    Barringtons Bridge, co. Limerick: (Photos taken between 1990 and 2000.)

    http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Limerick,+County+Limerick,+Ireland&t=h&layer=c&cbll=52.645257,-8.474393&panoid=lH8pyhmA8s7Maufl_IG7HA&cbp=12,204.41,,0,20.19&ll=52.645251,-8.474407&spn=0.001533,0.005284&z=18

    A view of the neglected Barrington's bridge today.

    A shame to see it today, almost hidden from view.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2 Cloigtheach


    I've a few of these to keep the thread going:
    See below:
    Interesting railway bridge dating from 1932. Anyone tell me where it is?


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


    Greenisland Viaducts in County Antrim.

    irish-art-travel-poster-greenisland-viaduct-county-antrim-northern-ireland-by-norman-wilkinson-47-p.jpg


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2 Cloigtheach


    Exactly. It's also called the Bleach Green Junction, its the split of the Derry and Larne lines about 15km north of Belfast. I think the fact that there's a valley below must have contributed to the reason for a split level junction as there are no other split level junctions in the North. The bridge looks newer than it is. One of the bridges is marked as 1932, the line opened in 1933.


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


    The bridge looks newer than it is. One of the bridges is marked as 1932, the line opened in 1933.

    They were cleaned up a few years ago. Here's what they looked like before.

    Bleach_Green_Viaduct_-_geograph.org.uk_-_345559.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,314 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    dannym08 wrote: »
    Just in case anyone doesn't know the story, its where the Royal Canal passes over the River Barrow. Open to correction, but as far as I know, its the only water over water crossing in Ireland.
    There is another in Leixlip, the Royal Canal Aqueduct which went over the Rye at Leixlip.

    This shows the Rye going underneath:

    royal-canal-aqueduct.jpg

    In 1796 the Ryewater Aqueduct completed after five years work at a cost of £27,000. It's called the "Ryewater Aqueduct", "Leixlip Aqueduct", and other names I'd say. I think the base had to be rebuilt three times, as it kept falling in. Seems it was made of caly, which needed a few days to dry. Above the tunnel section is a lot of earth, and then the Grand Canal (along with the Dublin to Sligo line) sits on top of it.


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