Queen's Bridge, County Antrim - Blog Three

Hello hello everyone, and welcome back to the Bridges of Ireland Blog on Blogger. Today we're going to look at one of the oldest bridges crossing the River Lagan: Queen's Bridge, Belfast.

Queen's Bridge is one of eight bridges in the Belfast that crosses the River Lagan. Named for Queen Victoria it was built in 1843. This five stone arch bridge replaced a bridge named Long Bridge, built on the same site in 1682, supposedly built on an ancient ford. At the time of construction the project cost the Board of Works £27,000. It is often confused with Queen Elisabeth II Bridge, which is located nearby.

The image below is a drawing of  Long Bridge, published in 1823:

That's all for this week's entry - goodbye goodbye!

Saint Patrick's Bridge, County Cork - Blog Two

Hello hello everyone, and welcome back to the Bridges of Ireland Blog on Blogger. Today we're going to look at one of Cork City's most iconic landmarks: Saint Patrick's Bridge.

Saint Patrick's Bridge in Cork City is a staple of the history of the city center's bridges, having been built almost 250 years ago. The bridge extends over the River Lee and links Main Street to Saint Patrick's Hill. In 2020 Transport Infrastructure Ireland funded a 1.2 million euro to restore the bridge to its former glory. 

Built in 1861, the bridge is 90 meters long, spans a waterway of 51 feet, and was built in a masonry arch style. It truly is a testament to it's time and late 19th Century engendering, as it still remains an important and strong feature of the city.

That's all for this week's entry, goodbye goodbye!

The Abbey Mill Bridge, County Donegal - Blog One

 Hello hello everyone, welcome back to the Bridges of Ireland Blog on Blogger. Today we're going to look at what is considered to be the oldest surviving bridge on the island: The Abbey Mill Bridge.

Found in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, the Abbey Mill Bridge is believed to be the oldest surviving bridge in Ireland, estimated to have been built sometime around 1675. The classical stone bridge extends over the Abbey River with bushes on all sides, and blends well with it's surroundings as a humble but old bridge and local landmark. Ireland Before You Die ranked this bridge twelfth on their June 2022 list of most iconic bridges in the Republic of Ireland. This two arch road bridge is still in use after at least three hundred years, a testament to it's original construction.

That's all for this entry - goodbye goodbye!

Bridges of Ireland - Introductionary Post

 Hello hello everyone, and welcome to the Bridges of Ireland Blog on Blogger! 

This blog will focus on and compile lists of notable bridges across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and zoom in on the interesting facts and the histories of these fine structures! Together we will explore the history and future of many individual bridges, as well as the wider histories of the bridge itself. Thank you and goodbye goodbye!