JD will approve, Blue Max Bridge becomes walkway.

Losty Dublin

Irish Examiner (24/5/2013)

FAMED FILM BRIDGE IN FERMOY COULD RE-OPEN TO PUBLIC

Discussions are believed to be at an advanced stage between Cork County Council, CIÉ and Avondhu Blackwater Partnership Ltd to open the Carrickabrack Viaduct in Fermoy as part of a looped walk around the town.

The view from the 19th century railway bridge which spans the River Blackwater is spectacular and it was one of the reasons the producers of The Blue Max chose it as one of the locations for the film which was shot in the autumn of 1965.

A stunt pilot flew a German plane through the narrower eyes of the bridge as part of a scene in the film. In 1967, the bridge fell into disuse after the Mallow-Waterford line shut.

Michael Cremin, a senior official with Cork County Council, said the local authority had acquired land to access the bridge on the northern side of the river, beside the SCI factory.

“CIÉ wants to give the council the bridge to allow us to develop a circular amenity walk around the town. We have also been approached by Avondhu Blackwater Partnership Ltd who say they could access EU funding to bring the project forward. They were in discussions with them about that and also with CIÉ over who will take responsibility for the deck area (of the bridge).”

He said Avondhu Blackwater Partnership had undertaken a structural survey of the bridge. “It would be a very positive development,” Mr Cremin said.

A clip of the scene appears here

dowlingm

Only highlights the fact that against good sense and reason CIE still have ownership and thus financial exposure for liability for structures on a line closed 40+ years.