DALY’S BRIDGE HAS BEEN RESTORED – THE SHAKEY BRIDGE
This is a favourite of mine but I also like St Vincent’s Bridge which I did not get a chance to photograph this visit to Cork. Even though I spent a week in the city I ran out of time but I hope to visit again in May 2022.
Daly’s Bridge is a pedestrian bridge spanning the River Lee in Cork, Ireland. Known locally as the Shakey Bridge, it joins Sunday’s Well on the north side, to Fitzgerald’s Park in the Mardyke area on the south.
Completed in 1926 and opened in 1927, it is the only suspension bridge in Cork City. It was constructed by the London-based David Rowell & Company to the design of Stephen W. Farrington, the Cork City Engineer. Constructed primarily of wrought iron, the bridge spans 160 feet (49 m), and the timber-planked walkway is 4+1⁄2 feet (1.4 m) wide.
The bridge takes its official name from Cork businessman James Daly, who contributed to the cost of the bridge. Its colloquial name (the “Shakey Bridge” or “Shaky Bridge”) derives from the movement of the platform when running or jumping on the bridge.
In August 2019, work began on restoration of the bridge. It was dismantled into four sections and removed so that repair of the bridge structure could be carried out. In July 2020, it was reported that while the structure of the bridge had been reinstalled, “several weeks of work” were required before it would reopen. It was reopened to the public in December 2020.
The bridge is listed on Cork City Council’s Record of Protected Structures.
THE WELL OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST – DRUMCONDRA CHURCH
Today I got a bit of a surprise when I walked around the Drumcondra area of the city photographing at random. As I was walking along Ormond Avenue I noticed a signpost pointing to Drumcondra Church so I decided to follow the sign and walk along Church Avenue which led me to the Church Of St. John The Baptist or Drumcondra Church. I had been aware that there was a church known as Drumcondra Church but this was my first time to see it.
Within the grounds of the church of St John the Baptist is an ancient holy well which for generations has been a part of the historic and ecclesiastical heritage of the area.
A number of years ago the well was considered dangerous and was covered over. It has now been fully restored and decorative railings erected around it to define the well site and to ensure safety for those who visit.
Traditionally the well has been resorted to by those seeking cures for eye complaints.
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