The Pedestrian Bridges of Cork

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.

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.

Sure buy the bridge as well – keep the peasants well away 🙂

@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

Hey Phatman, thanks for posting the photos. But I thought the Nano Nagle Bridge was the pedestrian bridge over the South Link Road (as you approach the Eglinton Street). That bridge has a gas supply pipe from the gasworks as well I believe. Think it was built when they first opened the south link road back in ’84 or so. Always looked a bit out ill at ease in my opinion given the mish mash of developments underneath and the old railway yard wall support structures.
The one you refer to as Nano Nagle Bridge in the photo above…that is the one linking the south mall to Sullivan’s Quay, right?
Another bridge in Cork worth noting is the one linking the mainland to Mizen Head.

@corcaighboy wrote:

Hey Phatman, thanks for posting the photos. But I thought the Nano Nagle Bridge was the pedestrian bridge over the South Link Road (as you approach the Eglinton Street). That bridge has a gas supply pipe from the gasworks as well I believe. Think it was built when they first opened the south link road back in ’84 or so. Always looked a bit out ill at ease in my opinion given the mish mash of developments underneath and the old railway yard wall support structures.
The one you refer to as Nano Nagle Bridge in the photo above…that is the one linking the south mall to Sullivan’s Quay, right?
Another bridge in Cork worth noting is the one linking the mainland to Mizen Head.

Im pretty sure the Nano Nagle bridge is the one at the end of the Grand Parade, not positive though. Had a look around for a pic of the South Link bridge, can’t find one as yet, will post one if i do. In the meantime, here’s another one of what i think is the Nano Nagle, and one of the Mizen Bridge, an impressive one alright.

Nano Nagle…

<img src="http://img258.echo.cx/img258/8198/nanonaglebridge8ei.th.jpg&quot; border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at http://www.ImageShack.us” />

Mizen Head…

<img src="http://img258.echo.cx/img258/3138/mizenhead8iq.th.jpg&quot; border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at http://www.ImageShack.us” />

Nano Nagle bridge links the Grand Parade to Sullivan’s Quay. No doubt about it.
Don’t know what the south link bridge is called.
There’s also the foothbridge over the road to the tunnel down in Mahon. No picture as yet.

Since this thread has been resurrected, I might as well contribute 🙂
I’ve been told that CCC plan to officially open (for real this time!!!) the new Mardyke Bridge on 22nd December.
Work is flying ahead with the installation of barriers and a pathway from Wise’s Quay (near St. Vincent’s pedestrain bridge). This will lead the pedestrain through UCC grounds at Distillery Field, along by the river and across the Mardyke Bridge to a point close to UCC, Western Road gates.

Here’s a better image of the completed Mardyke Bridge:

@bunch wrote:

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.

Cost of the bridge: 2,000,000 euro approx
Cost of a tunnel: 300,000 euro approx

And you wonder where all the money goes on motorways.

@PTB wrote:

Cost of the bridge: 2,000,000 euro approx
Cost of a tunnel: 300,000 euro approx

And you wonder where all the money goes on motorways.

This is an interesting issue which has, in my opinion, real implications for the development of infrastructure in Ireland in general.

Many countries on the continent that have excellent infrastructure in comparison to that of Ireland, often do not bother so much with ‘beautifying’ that infrastructure. It appears more acceptable to simply build mass concrete bridges, flyovers etc with making any attempt to concela their often grim appearance and functionality. In ireland, we seem to spend much more time and money on concealing the mass concrete structures (eg. the masses of stone cladding used recently to line the walls of the new road through Sligo). This could be one reason it costs so much to construct motorways in Ireland in comparison with other countries. Personally, I am just amazed that we appear to be so concerned with the aesthetic impact of our infrastructure given our often lack lustre approach to architectural aestethics in general.

In short, I would hazard a guess that in Germany they would have built the tunnel and another .5km of motorway somewhere – we however go for a moderately styled bridge.

@PDLL wrote:

Personally, I am just amazed that we appear to be so concerned with the aesthetic impact of our infrastructure

.

Would it be better if we werent???

@POM wrote:

Would it be better if we werent???

I didn’t make any value judgements on whether we should or shouldn’t be. I just think it appears incongruous that a nation that very often appears to show very little concern with the appearance of many of the buildings it builds, seems to put disproprotionate emphasis on ‘finishing off’ structures which other countries leave in a raw state.

In comparison with our continental neighbours, do we devote more project funds to landscaping and post-construction ‘polishing off’ than other nations. If so, it might explain why we have one of the lowest rates of motorway km per person in Europe.

See all that Granite facing on the walls on the Stillorgan dual carriageway. Must have cost a fortune. The pedestrian bridge near foxrock church is also granite faced which frankly looks ridiculous. It’s hardly “babbling brook” territory. There’s also granite facing on the bridge out at Kilmacanogue. Would be far better if a striking contemporary design was used. Some of the newer pedestrian bridges over the m50 come to mind.

Always notice that the council only does all this granite facing when going thro’ the leafier upmarket areas. Wonder why?

Anyone able to hazzard a guess of how old Cork’s oldest bridge is?

@A-ha wrote:

Anyone able to hazzard a guess of how old Cork’s oldest bridge is?

All bridges or just the pedestrian ones? And presumably only ones over the Lee and only the current construction of the bridge.

As a complete guess, I’d say Clark’s Bridge is the oldest and that it dates from the middle of the 18th century.

I’m reliably informed that the oldest bridge in Cork is that one to the west of the existing St. Vincent’s pedestrian bridge (i.e. on the former Irish Distillers site).

@Radioactiveman wrote:

I’m reliably informed that the oldest bridge in Cork is that one to the west of the existing St. Vincent’s pedestrian bridge (i.e. on the former Irish Distillers site).

I didn’t think of that one, although it certainly fits all my criteria even if it is a very small channel of the Lee.

It looks very old. Do you have any idea when it was built?

Incidentally, travelling 50 km out of the city, the bridge at Glanworth dates from the 13th century and is reputed locally* to be the oldest bridge in Europe that is still used for everyday traffic.

*Read into that what you will

New pedestrian bridge opened in Cork

01 February 2006 12:25
A pedestrian bridge across the River Lee was officially opened this morning by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Deirdre Clune.

It is part of the Lee Walkway project which began five years ago and will eventually provide a pedestrian route from the city centre to Curraheen on the outskirts of the city.

Costing €2 million, the Mardyke walkway will also facilitate the movements of thousands of UCC students between their southside campus and northside campus.

From RTE

Any images of the completed structure?

Here’s an image of the new Mardyke bridge:

also, here’s an image of the FIRST official ‘opening’ of the bridge on 17th June 2005!!!!
Former Lord Mayor Sean Martin is there with the usual gang, blatantly codding us by suggesting that the bridge was in fact open to the public!
The first time the public got near the new bridge was when it was opened to UCC students and staff on the 11th of January 2006! Today’s opening (phase two) allows the public to continue through Distillery Field to the North Mall. Unfortunately, as of ten minutes ago, phase two of the walkway was once again closed to the public!! Genius, sheer f***king genius!!

The phantom ‘opening’

If you want to see a nice aerial view of the new walkway and bridge, click here.

If you want to see a map of the new walkway and bridge, click here.

And to see the FIRST official ‘opening’ in all its glory, click here.

What exactly was the logic behind giving the first official opening months before the bridge was open? It wasn’t coming up to elections was it?

Politicans in Cork are ‘serial announcers’….with the bridge here a case in point. Other notable examples of this condition are the redevelopment of Kent station (in the news again this week!), the reopening of the Midelton railway line, and almost every other infrastructure project in town. 😡

@PTB wrote:

What exactly was the logic behind giving the first official opening months before the bridge was open? It wasn’t coming up to elections was it?

:rolleyes: The answer is on the plaque in the photo, as Lord Mayor you get your name in stone, vanity is a serious disease in Cork.

I went along the new walk this morning and I must say the views were great. I had never seen the Maltings or St. Vincent’s Church from these angles.
It is quite silly to have plaques from two Lords Mayor. One opening the bridge and months later, another opening the walk.

Do the airbridges at Cork Airport count as a pedestrian bridge?

@Thomond Park wrote:

Do the airbridges at Cork Airport count as a pedestrian bridge?

What’s with the plural in that sentence? 😀

Nano Nagle Bridge is defo the bridge linking Sullivans Quay to the Grand Parade. Alot of tourists use that bridge to get good shots of St.Finbarrs Cathedral. Parliament Bridge is a fine brodge too – nice views of the Holy Trinity and St.Finbarrs. Let’s hope the Jacobs Mall building will compliment the view also!

I live in Dublin and the other day as I was walking to the bus stop from the IFSC to D’Olier St for the bus I was thinking of the boardwalk which is installed there – having a similar one in Cork. Along the quay from Patricks Bridge to the Coal Quay – lots of new buildings there / people traffic – Opera House and the new Cornmarket St. development. Who know’s. They seem quite popular in Dublin – with a few kiosks along one of them.

The Shakey Bridge, as far as I know, is not so Shakey anymore! But it’ll always be the Shakey Bridge! Great bridge!

If you make an effort, you can still get the Shakey Bridge going…

It’s funny, you should say about a boardwalk down by the Opera House. I was walking along there the other day and thinking about how unpleasant the general environment is down that way. With the four lanes of traffic and the narrow footpaths and the difficulty crossing the road, I wondered if it might impact on the ability of new businesses in the area to trade properly. Perhaps a boardwalk could be incorporated into a new plan for the area.

@jungle wrote:

If you make an effort, you can still get the Shakey Bridge going…

It’s funny, you should say about a boardwalk down by the Opera House. I was walking along there the other day and thinking about how unpleasant the general environment is down that way. With the four lanes of traffic and the narrow footpaths and the difficulty crossing the road, I wondered if it might impact on the ability of new businesses in the area to trade properly. Perhaps a boardwalk could be incorporated into a new plan for the area.

I saw it mentioned by someone else, and so had a look myself, but the new paving and railings being installed on Penrose Quay are fantastic, really look well, and would be great if expanded to other areas. Check it out, just down from Michael Collins Bridge.

@phatman wrote:

I saw it mentioned by someone else, and so had a look myself, but the new paving and railings being installed on Penrose Quay are fantastic, really look well, and would be great if expanded to other areas. Check it out, just down from Michael Collins Bridge.

Yes they are great and really show up how bad the quays are treated in general with no pavements,car parked or very close to awful balustrading.A minimum of a 2 metre pavement with trees and seating should be provided on all our quays. Merchants Quay and Georges Quay are some of the worst and the quays around the School of Commerce full of cars parked head on into the Quays.
We can only dream.

I think there is a pedestrian bridge being constructed as part of the new Jurys Hotel development on the Western Road. There is some formwork spanning that channel of the river so hopefully a walkway is being constructed, it will probably be similar to the existing bridge a few metres away.

Either that or the site engineer needs to get the dumpy level checked!

University Cllege Cork have applied to CCC for permission to construct a new pedestrain bridge across the south channel of the river Lee, linking the Brookfield Health Sciences Complex on the south side of the river to the former Greyhound Race Track on the northern side.
UCC have permission to develop an Information Technology building at the Greyhound Track site. Issues of funding for this (IT building) project are still being sorted out.

@Radioactiveman wrote:

University Cllege Cork have applied to CCC for permission to construct a new pedestrain bridge across the south channel of the river Lee, linking the Brookfield Health Sciences Complex on the south side of the river to the former Greyhound Race Track on the northern side.
UCC have permission to develop an Information Technology building at the Greyhound Track site. Issues of funding for this (IT building) project are still being sorted out.

Does anyone know if this bridge was built as part of the IT building? And does anyone have any pictures?

@davea wrote:

Does anyone know if this bridge was built as part of the IT building? And does anyone have any pictures?

Indeed it was, not open yet but guess will be before UCC reopens in Sept.

When is the new bridge down by the Lee Fields opening? It appears to be complete.

@jungle wrote:

When is the new bridge down by the Lee Fields opening? It appears to be complete.

It’s open but not sure when it happened.