THE WHISTLING BRIDGE ACROSS THE SHANNON RIVER
One of my targets was to photograph all the bridges in Limerick City and I think that I have done so and I will publish all relevant photographs between now and the end of the summer. This delay is because I have a very busy schedule between now and September.
Next week I visit Cork and one item on my list to photograph is the Shaky Bridge, which as undergone intensive restoration, but until a few weeks ago I had forgotten that Limerick City had a Whistling Bridge.
Shannon Bridge was opened on May 30, 1988 to connect the Dock Road area to the North Circular Road area.
The bridge was also known as the Whistling or Whining or Singing Bridge as the fencing on the bridge resonated with the winds coming up the Shannon Estuary, producing a shrill whistling sound. In extreme winds, the sound was quite deafening. Simple grills were added, and the effect has ceased.
The Shannon Bridge is by far the newest River Shannon crossing in Limerick city centre. It was built in the late 1980s, and connects to a relief road that passes through a bird sanctuary and runs around the north of the city. The bridge is still at times referred to as “The New Bridge”, although the Abbey Bridge across the Abbey River is newer.
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