MOST READ (2023): 'Stones as big as tables' strewn across road in Kilkenny

A local bridge steeped in history has finally given way and collapsed in County Kilkenny.

Drichidin, or 'little bridge', was located on the R704 in South Kilkenny, dividing the parishes of Mullinavat and Tullogher.

Built by bare hands during The Great Famine, it sadly gave up the ghost about three weeks ago. 

These bridges were built on roads as part of famine relief schemes, and many led to nowhere in particular, although this one eventually carved a path towards Listerlin and New Ross.

This bridge, the third built in this area, was built stone on stone, cut with chisel and held by bare hands, put in place with a key stone, works of art.

From dawn to dusk people worked on these famine relief schemes with skill and craft, despite the horror around them.

Mass emigration took place here, soup kitchens helped, but the landscape was entirely changed in terms of population figures.

The bridges served as reminders of a people who left, never to return. Some nearby fields still hold their names. 

If only these stone bridges could talk. They would certainly tell our authorities that they needed a lot of TLC many years ago.

They were not solely a method of transport, they were and are a memorial to all those who worked so hard to construct them with workmanship that lasted almost 175 years with much heavier traffic than they could have envisaged.

UPDATE:

The collapse of the bridge was raised at the latest meeting of Piltown Municipal Disctrict Council.

It is believed to have collapsed due to the stream of water under it changing course recently and hitting the bridge at its weaker points.

Its age and continued heavy use by modern traffic almost certainly didn't help.

Remediation works are currently underway to salvage as much of the bridge as possible, including the reconstruction of its parapet.

These works are due be completed after Easter.

Local councillor Fidelis Doherty said she was taken aback by the sight of the bridge in ruins when passing the scene recently.

"The stones strewn across the road were as big as tables," she said.

"It's amazing to think they were built and moved by hand and we hope that as much of the bridge is salvaged as possible."