Cork City Bridges

Brian Boru Bridge

Originally a Scherzer Rolling Lift Bascule bridge that could be raised to allow ships to pass. Built in 1911 (with its sister, Clontarf Bridge) to link the railway terminus on Albert Quay with the GSWR station on the Lower Glanmire Road. The railway line stopped operating in 1961. The lifting mechanism was removed in the early 1980s and the bridge was renovated as a fixed bridge.

Mary Elmes Bridge

Cork's newest pedestrian and cycling bridge, opened in 2019. This 66m-span steel bridge has flood-protection barriers integrated into the parapet walls. The name commemorates a Cork woman who established refuges in southern France in which she sheltered hundreds of Jewish children who she and her colleagues rescued from the occupying German forces in WW2.

St Patrick’s Bridge

Designed by Sir John Benson and opened in 1861, the present bridge replaced one destroyed by floods in 1853. The 3 arches have carved keystones depicting the heads of St Patrick, St Bridge, Neptune and three sea goddesses. Over 100 stone cutters, masons & labourers were employed to construct it.

Christy Ring Bridge

Opened in 1987 to alleviate heavy traffic flow on St Patrick's Bridge. Named for one of the greatest hurlers of all time. Christy Ring won 8 All-Ireland medals and captained his team to 3 All-Ireland victories.

Shandon Bridge

Opened in 2004, this steel cable bridge has a span of 40m, weighing 90 tonnes. The paint alone weights 2 tonnes! The wooden treads are of a sustainable hardwood.

Griffith Bridge (North Gate Bridge)

Griffith Bridge stands on the site of the medieval river crossing from the north suburbs into the walled city of Cork. Opened in 1961, it commemorates the founder of the United Irishmen newspaper and one of the State's founding fathers.

St Vincent’s Bridge

Opened in 1878, St Vincent's Bridge stands at the point where the tide meets the fresh-water current of the River Lee, creating a large area of swirling water known as a pill. The double lattice wrought-iron girders and the level of decoration on the cast-iron parapet pillars make this the most decorative of Cork city's bridges.

Adlerman Reilly's or Wyse’s Distillery Bridge

Now partly hidden and best seen from St Vincent's Bridge, Wyse's Bridge was built c. 1770 to connect Reilly's Marsh with the North Mall. The bridge facilitated the mill-race for the North Mall Distillery, which was established in 1779.

Mardyke Bridge

Designed to be a landmark structure for Cork's year as European Capital of Culture in 2005, Mardyke Bridge was constructed by Harland & Wolff in Belfast. It links the Mardyke Walk to a walkway on the north side named Sli Cumann na mBan, to commemorate the women's organisation formed in 1914 to further the aims of Irish freedom.

Daly’s or The Shaky Bridge

Cork's only suspension bridge is named after James Daly who part financed its construction in the 1920s, it is better known as the Shaky (or Shakey) Bridge. Walk over it to see why! Renovations in 2020 caused consternation when it was rumoured that the repair work would remove the shake from the bridge.

Thomas Davis / Wellington Bridge

Built by the younger of the Pain architect brothers, George Richard, in 1830. Renamed in honour of Thomas Davis, the main organiser and poet of the Young Ireland movement.

Banks of the Lee Walk

O’Neill Crowley Bridge

In 1821, the prolific 19th-century architect brothers James and George Richard Pain built what was originally named George IV Bridge. In the early 20th century, it was renamed to commemorate the Fenian Peter O'Neill Crowley.

Bons Secours Bridge

Bridge installed in 2017 as part of the multi-million Euro extension to the Bons Secours Hospital, Ireland's largest private hospital.

Gaol Bridge

This single-arch 1835 bridge leads to the portico of the old City Gaol, with the original entrance to UCC to the east. Designed by Marc Brunel, father of the prolific 19th-century engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel with whom he built the Thames Tunnel.

Cavanagh Bridge

The timber used in this bridge, opened in 2018, is larch and jatoba. Named after the philanthropist Dr Tom Cavanagh, the bridge connects UCC's lower grounds to Perrot's Inch and the Western Road.

Alumni Bridge (University Bridge)

The original entrance to UCC was at Gaol Cross but was superseded by an entrance at what was to become Donovan's Road in 1879. The present bridge is the 3rd at this entrance and was opened in 1929.

Donovan’s Bridge

Opened in 1902, this bridge is named after Thomas Donovan who owned the land it was built on and the adjacent Donovan's Road. He donated both to the city in 1904.

Remains of C & MLR Bridge

The two piers that stand in the river by the west end of the River Lee Hotel are remnants of an 1883 bridge that carried the Cork-Muskerry Light Railway. The railway, which closed in 1934, had served mainly to bring tourists from the city to Blarney Castle.

River Lee Hotel Bridge

Built as part of the River Lee Hotel development in 2006, which replaced Jury's Hotel. This bridge has two effigies on the south side that O'Callaghan notes are similar to those of Neptune and the sea goddesses on St Patrick's Bridge.

Lancaster Quay Bridge

This bridge leads to Lancaster Lodge and, to the west, to the site of the Cork & Muskerry Light Railway station, which operated until the mid 1930s.

St Finbarr’s Bridge

Opened in 1999 as part of a £20m carpark and road project, developed by Howard Holdings.

Clarke’s Bridge

Designed by Thomas Hobbs, when it opened in 1776 it was the largest span stone-arch in Ireland, at 68ft wide. Refurbished and widened to the east in 1993.

Proby's Bridge

The now hidden archway of Proby's Bridge is best seen from nearby South Gate Bridge. A single-arch bridge built c. 1750, it served the milling area on Crosses Green. It is named after local merchants, possibly James Proby & Co. who were brewers on Cove Street.

South Gate Bridge

Built in 1713 by Thomas Chatterton and John Coltsman, this is the oldest bridge in the city and marks the southern entrance to the medieval city. The medieval bridge on the site led to the city gaol and onto the Main Street of the walled city. The bridge was extended to the east in 1824.

Nano Nagle Bridge

Opened in 1985 to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the granting of the city charter by King John of England. Until recently it was the only bridge in the city named after a woman. Honoria (Nano) Nagle founded the Presentation Order of nuns in 1775 to educate the children of the poor in the city.

Parliament Bridge

Designed by William Hargrave, who also designed the Custom House, Parliament Bridge opened in 1806. The name commemorates the Acts of Union in 1800 which formed the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801.

Trinity Bridge

Named after the nearby Holy Trinity Church, this footbridge connecting Morrison's Island to Union Quay was built in 1977.

Parnell Bridge (Anglesea Bridge)

Parnell Bridge was built in 1971, but it retains the limestone abutments from its 19th-century predecessor as part of its under structure. Named after Charles Stewart Parnell, the Nationalist politician who served as an MP for Cork city 1880-1891.

Clontarf Bridge

Originally a Scherzer Rolling Lift Bascule bridge opened in 1911 that could be raised to allow ships to pass. Built (with its sister bridge, Brian Boru Bridge) to link the railway terminus on Albert Quay with the GSWR station on the Lower Glanmire Road. The railway line stopped operating in 1961. The lifting mechanism was removed in the early 1980s and the bridge was renovated as a fixed bridge.

Eamon de Valera Bridge

Opened in 1984, this bridge and its contemporary neighbour on the north channel, Michael Collins' Bridge, were designed to be viewed as a pair from downriver locations. Named after Ireland's third President who served from 1959-1973.