Limerick's Life | History & folklore of Limerick city, Ireland

CITY BRIDGES

Baals Bridge Sarsfield Bridge Thomond Bridge Mathew Bridge The O'Dwyer Bridge The Sylvester O Halloran Footbridge. The New Bridge The Abbey Bridge Athlunkard Bridge

Baals Bridge

Designed by the Pain Brothers and built in 1831, this single arched bridge replaced a four arched bridge which had stood in the same spot since about 1340. The earlier bridge known as the Tide Bridge in Elizabethan times had a row of houses incorporated into it and by the early 19th century these houses were beginning to collapse.

Modern Bridge

Old Bridge with houses across it.
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Sarsfield Bridge

This bridge was originally known as the Wellesley Bridge. It was completed in 1835. The bridge consists of five large elliptical arches. Once a swivel bridge that could open allowing large vessels to pass into the upper quays such as Arthur's quay this function is no longer in use although the mechanisms can still be seen under the bridge.
On the bridge is a monument commemorating the 1916 War of Independence. Which replaced an earlier monument on this site of Viscount Fitzgibbon who was reported missing in action after the Charge of the Light Brigade in 1854. The statue was blown up by the Irish Republican Army in 1930.

Sarsfield Bridge

1916 memorial.
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Thomond Bridge

The original Thomond bridge would possibly have been erected about 1185 as a lead from King John's Castle to the Clare side of the Shannon.
The newer bridge was completed in 1840, it was also designed by the Pain Brothers.

Thomond Bridge
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Mathew Bridge

Matthew Bridge completed in 1846. It was named after Fr. Theobald Mathew a friar who launched a national temperance movement. In 1846 it is said that he had obtained 180,000 disiples in Limerick at the time the population of Limerick city and county was about 250,000. More information on Fr. Mathew can be found here
A report on Father Mathew in Limerick was reported in the Limerick Leader on 23 April 1938 and can be seen here

Mathew Bridge
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The O'Dwyer Bridge

Built in 1931 to replace Park Bridge which had been built in 1835. The bridge was dedicated to Dr. E.T. O'Dwyer who was consecrated Bishop of Limerick on 29 June 1886. More information on Bishop O'Dwyer can be found here

The O Dwyer Bridge
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The Sylvester O Halloran Footbridge.

This foot bridge built in 1987 is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran who was born in Caherdavin in 1728. As a surgeon he developed a new method of treating cataracts. In 1774 he wrote A General History of Ireland and in 1803 A History of Ireland. He died in 1807 and is buried in Kilteely Graveyard. The footbridge crosses the Abbey River from the Potato Market to behind the Hunt Museum.
More information on Sylvester can be found here

The Sylvester O Halloran Bridge
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The New Bridge

Also known as the Whistling or Whining or Singing Bridge as after constriction wind would blow though the gaps under the bridge making a whistling sound. This has now been remedied.
It was opened on 30 May 1988.
This is the last bridge on the Shannon River.

The New Bridge
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The Abbey Bridge

This is the most recently built bridge in the city, it was officially opened with some controversy in 1999. The initial plan was to name the bridge the Jim Kemmy bridge, after the former mayor and local historian who passed away in 1997. Local residents disagreed with this name and called for the bridge to be named The Abbey after the Abbey Fishermen families who lived in the area for generations. After much deliberation the name change was agreed.
Jim Kemmy was honour with a more fitting memorial as the new name for the city museum. The Jim Kemmy Memorial Museum.

The Abbey Bridge
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Athlunkard Bridge

Athlunkard Bridge, on the Corbally Road out of the city was designed by the Pain Brothers. It has five granite arches and was completed in 1830. It had a toll gate on the city side, on 28 April 1884 it was declared free of toll. A poem written about Athlunkard Bridge in 1879 can be read on my folklore page.

Athlunkard Bridge
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