The Pedestrian Bridges of Cork
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This thread is based on an idea put forward by Thomond Park – and I think it’s a great one. It would be nice hear to discuss the many pedestrian bridges that traverse the Lee as well as others, such as the so-called ‘Pink Link’ bridge which crossed the N8 near Glanmire – all our worthy of a mention.
Most notably, bridges such as the wonderful Daly’s “Shakey” Bridge and Mardyke Pedestrian Bridge spring to mind – but their are many more from which to discuss. I’ll have some images up soon – but all contributions are greatfully received.
I think that there is a good thread in this, it came up during Dublin’s best bridge poll that Cork should have a similar poll a good idea save that the site hadn’t got pictures of all the bridges to do it. This has been somewhat rectified by Radioactiveman’s post but not all of Corks bridges have photos posted in one convenient location.
Personally I think that bridges makes a huge contribution to Cities and the way we view our rivers, which to any maritime ford City they can give streetscapes a very positive foundation. Cork has possibly the best collection of pedestrian bridges in the Country.
Has anyone any photos?
Here’s the pink one
and the shakey one…
Personally Daly’s Bridge (the shakey one 😉 ) is my favourite, really a touch of class. Should be interesting to see what’s produced in the docklands redevelopment, certainly plenty more quayside to fit in another few. Am i imagining things or is there a proposal along Patrick’s Quay for a pedestrian bridge?
In terms of Cork City, the following are the foothbridges I can think of. If I’ve omitted some, please let me know.
Daly’s (Shakey Bridge)
Nano Nagle Bridge
Mardyke Bridge (Not open yet)
St. Vincents Bridge
Shandon Bridge
Trinity Bridge (picture isn’t great)
Thanks for those images,
That pink bridge is really cool and is as good any bridge designed in Ireland to my mind, Daly’s is an interesting looking structure it has the look of a victorian railway bridge. Why is it called the shaky bridge, is it about to collapse?
It’s called the Shakey Bridge because its fun to jump up and down on it and make the whole structure shake and bounce around on its suspensions. Many a happy summers day has been spent ‘up the park’ and shaking the shakey bridge on your way home…..ahhh to be 10 years old again!!
As far as I know, it’s completely structurally sound.does anyone know the cost of the Pink Link bridge in Glanmire? – it was built to facilitate approx 4-5 houses – I have yet to see one person use that bridge – what a waste of funds – value for money! btw it looks terrible in my opinion – fussy and a bit twee for a motorway bridge.
In fairness, the land around those 4 or 5 houses is zoned for major housing developments in the near future. Therefore, it is in fact very go0d planning for the future rather than a waste of money.
I love that pink bridge in Glanmire – when arriving into Cork by road it’s the “almost there” landmark.
Nano Nagle and Trinity (as referred to in above post) are prob the worst on offer.
Any images of Hop Island bridge?
Found better image of new Shandon Bridge:
I agree putting in a bridge after the road was built would be chaos, I am not so sure how that could be called twee it is very contemporary to my mind and I think the proportion is good. The fact that CCC went to that much trouble with a flyover bridge says a lot.
There are a couple of pedestrian bridges withing the grounds of UCC too – one at the Western Road gates and the other linking between Aras na Laoi and Castlewhite. Neither bridge is particularly inspiring. I found a picture of the Western Rd Gate bridge on the web. No luck with a search for Castlewhite.
There are also a number of pedestrian bridges over the South Ring Road.
@jungle wrote:
There are a couple of pedestrian bridges withing the grounds of UCC too – one at the Western Road gates and the other linking between Aras na Laoi and Castlewhite. Neither bridge is particularly inspiring. I found a picture of the Western Rd Gate bridge on the web. No luck with a search for Castlewhite.
Indeed, the College Gates Bridge is a fabulous piece – definitely up on my top list. I love the ornate detail. Oddly, Cork once homed many such bridges – the former North Gate Bridge was a magnificent structure with copper edging, lamp-posts, ornate engravings – the works! It’s a pity its predecessor didn’t even make an attempt at resembling the former…or even to attempt resembling a bridge!!!
I personally think Shandon Bridge is over-hyped – I admire the timber walkway, and some of the lighting is most pleasant, but it gets a lot of talk. The Wain Morehead design was far more unusual.
As for the ‘Pink Link’ – its a love/hate kind of structure. You can look at it from an economists perspective and get a heart-attack, or an architectural perspective – and well, make of it what you will. It’s an open debate.
And yes, there are plans for a Merchants Quay/Patrick’s Quay pedestrian bridge – but its a few years off yet, at least.
Lex, I’d agree with you on Shandon Bridge- it’s quiet plain. In saying that, its not totally without its positives.
Mardyke bridge is a much fancier design and looks good. Viewed from Fitzgerald’s Park it looks amazing right now, nestled between the leafy banks of the river.
The Mardyke Bridge has been in place for months now. The contractors have done their Job. It is now up to Cork City Council to make good the paths leading to it from both sides. As usual, the wasters at CCC are letting us down badly. The ‘pathways’ are a hive of inactivity!!re the pink link – i have no idea how much it cost but I expect that it would be quite significant – and btw – the land around those 4-5 houses is not zoned for development – residential or otherwise it is A1 Greenbelt Land- the Main Cork Dublin Road will act as the development boundary for Glanmire to the north-east.
Also, i mentioned that i thought it was twee because of the confusion between the simple cable tie structure and the silly stone-effect cladding and olde-world lighting posts – in fairness its a matter of taste but i would personally have preferred a contemporary structure instead of a half modernish half -old fashioned ‘effort’
The Shandon Bridge is very elegant – graceful.
The Trinity Bridge isn’t 🙂
The nice thing about Cork is that it can provide prefect settings for bridges, with picturesque curves, overhanging trees etc.
Daly’s Bridge looks especially well in that context, and is great in its own right – definitely a favourite.Agreed about the Pink Link (why so called?) – the cladding is very naff. Looks like the walls of an 80’s public toliet in a ‘heritage town’ 🙂
@Graham Hickey wrote:
Agreed about the Pink Link (why so called?) – the cladding is very naff. Looks like the walls of an 80’s public toliet in a ‘heritage town’ 🙂
Could be worse it could be magnolia 😉
What do you think of the form?
I like how it stands out on the landscape – makes a very definite, powerful statement.
But the roadway is so thick it looks like it doesn’t even need suspension. Were the pylons and cables added for decoration?!
I see your point in relation to a simpler bridge being possible, I’m happy they put the extra cash into it in that it has created a landmark and the form is attractive.
The other gem is the wide bridge with the the cast iron rails in UCC, the house behind it is fantastic I have now seen my Cork residence when I win Euro millions.
@Radioactiveman wrote:
…Shandon Bridge- it’s quiet plain. In saying that, its not totally without its positives.
Mardyke bridge is a much fancier design and looks good. Viewed from Fitzgerald’s Park it looks amazing right now, nestled between the leafy banks of the river.Mardyke Bridge may be fancy, but does it really fit in with the surrounds? I certainly admire it’s flair, but im not sure it’s totally suited to that stretch of river. Maybe i’ll be proven wrong, i guess ill have to wait till we all get the chance to walk over it before judging. As for Shandon Bridge, on the whole im impressed, though the finishing on the coal quay side leaves alot to be desired- whats up with that crappy perspex screen, and mock cobble stones?! surely a better job could have been done here eh
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