Repairs for Ireland’s ‘oldest bridge’ at Ennisnag in Kilkenny
Work to repair and restore some of south Kilkenny’s historic bridges is set to take place thanks to government funding of €247,000 for bridge rehabilitation.
One of the bridges included in the scheme is what has been described as possibly the oldest road bridge in Ireland that is still in use - at Ennisnag.
€25,000 has been allocated for essential works at Old Ennisnag Bridge. The bridge was once the main route from Kilkenny City to Stoneyford and is an important part of local history and heritage.
Work on the bride will include remedial measures like parapet pointing, the removal of vegetation and other structural work.
“This is really welcome,” Councillor Deirdre Cullen said. She explained that a survey, carried out before Christmas, separate to this funding, identified “extensive, urgent remedial works to be done on the bridge.” This would include essential works at river level and work on the arch rings.
An application has been made for funding, for this extra work, under the Historic Structures Fund from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
“I would be hopeful that we will receive increased funding to be able to works necessary to protect a bridge of huge importance.”
Cllr Cullen has been in touch with Minister of State Malcolm Noonan to emphasise the importance of doing something to repair the bridge, because it needs to be protected.
Funding
Some of the bridges also included in the recent funding announcement:
Hennessys Bridge - R699 Preventative measure such as drainage works to mitigate road from flooding €45,000, Ballytighlea Bridge €40,000, Lisdowney Townland Bridges (4 nr) €25,000, Victoria Bridge, Ahenny €25,000.
€20,000 each to: Drimeen Bridge (Goatsbridge), Coolraheen North Tld. Bridge, Bonnetstown Bridge, Burnchurch Tld Bridge, Mabbotstown Bridge and Kilmacow Bridge.