Bridges

ST DOMINICK’S BRIDGE AND NEARBY

October 18, 2023 by infomatique

DROGHEDA 16 OCTOBER 2023

I do not remember seeing this bridge but when I checked my catalogues I discovered that I photographed it in July 2009 but it looked very different back then and it was rather unattractive and uninteresting. I was also surprised to discover that I may not have been to Drogheda since 2012.

Also spelt St. Dominic’s, this bridge is now for pedestrians only, since the new bridge to its west was opened in the 1970’s. St. Dominick’s Bridge was built in 1863. It is made of iron with limestone piers and buttresses at both ends. It spans the River Boyne and was originally named the Western Bridge, but was renamed in 1878 following the completion of the nearby church of the same name.

About two years ago Louth County Council signed a €2.2m contract to refurbish St. Dominic’s Bridge and to upgrade cycling lanes and facilities on the bridge. It is a key link serving the Rathmullen Road and Ballsgrove estates to the south of the River Boyne to the Town Centre and the improvement was very much appreciated by cyclists and pedestrians.

Drogheda has a total of seven bridges.

Boyne River Bridge:
The Boyne River Bridge is Ireland’s longest cable-stayed bridge, located 3 kilometres west of Drogheda.

Boyne Viaduct:
The Boyne Viaduct is a railway bridge that crosses the River Boyne in Drogheda, carrying the main Dublin–Belfast railway line.

Bridge Of Peace:
The Bridge of Peace is the second furthest west bridge in Drogheda. It was built as a part of an inner by-pass of the town in the 1980s.

Dominic’s Bridge:
Dominic’s bridge is one of the closest bridges to Drogheda’s town centre. It is now a pedestrian bridge, one of two in Drogheda, but was previously also used by motor-vehicles until its replacement by “The Bridge of Peace” in the 1980s.

De Lacy bridge:
The De Lacy Bridge is one of two pedestrian bridges in Drogheda. It is part of Scotch Hall phase one.

St. Mary’s Bridge:
St. Marys Bridge is the main bridge to the centre of Drogheda. It was, for hundreds of years, the site of the only bridge at Drogheda. It is at the meeting of the two major south side roads the N51 and the Marsh Road.

Hay Market Bridge:
This bridge is also a major bridge in Drogheda. It is flanked by a McDonald’s restaurant, Xtra-vision store and a health centre on the south side. On the north side: Haymarket car park and a block of apartments.

EVERYONE PHOTOGRAPHS THIS BRIDGE BUT USUALLY NOT WITH AN 85MM LENS

August 20, 2023 by infomatique

THE FAMOUS HALFPENNY BRIDGE

I could no think of anything new to say about this bridge so I asked Google’s BARD AI why do so many people photograph the Halfpenny Bridge and it replied as follows [it made at least one major error]:

There are many reasons why people photograph the Ha’penny Bridge. Here are a few of them:

It is a historic landmark. The bridge was built in 1816 and is one of the oldest bridges in Dublin. It is also the only pedestrian bridge across the River Liffey in the city center [Note: not true].
It is a beautiful structure. The bridge is made of cast iron and has a graceful arch. It is a popular subject for photographers, especially at sunset or sunrise.
It is a popular tourist destination. The bridge is located in the heart of Dublin and is easily accessible. It is a must-see for many visitors to the city.
It is a symbol of Dublin. The bridge is often used to represent Dublin in photographs and paintings. It is a reminder of the city’s history and culture.
It is a romantic spot. The bridge is a popular place for couples to take photos. It is said that if you lock a love lock on the bridge, your love will be eternal.
No matter the reason, the Ha’penny Bridge is a iconic landmark that is sure to capture the attention of any photographer.

Here are some other reasons why people might photograph the Ha’penny Bridge:

To capture the hustle and bustle of city life. The bridge is a busy crossing point and is often full of people, making it a great place to capture the energy of the city.
To create a visual metaphor. The bridge can be used to represent a variety of concepts, such as love, unity, or change.
To simply enjoy the beauty of the bridge. The bridge is a visually striking structure and can be enjoyed simply for its aesthetic qualities.
Ultimately, the reasons why people photograph the Ha’penny Bridge are as varied as the people who take photos of it. But one thing is for sure: the bridge is a popular and beloved landmark that continues to inspire photographers from all over the world.

THE ANNA LIVIA BRIDGE IN CHAPELIZOD

August 13, 2023 by infomatique

IT WAS BUILT IN THE 1660s AND NAMED THE CHAPELIZOD BRIDGE

The Anna Livia Bridge, formerly Chapelizod Bridge (Irish: Droichead Shéipéal Iosóid, meaning ‘Isolde’s Chapel Bridge’), is a road bridge spanning the River Liffey in Chapelizod, Dublin, which joins the Lucan Road to Chapelizod Road.

As the Liffey flows into the town of Chapelizod, a weir divides the course to form a large mill race. Split by the two bodies of water, the island at Chapelizod has been a base for industry since at least the 18th century.

The main flow is crossed by a four-span stone arch bridge, having two large central spans and two much smaller end spans. This bridge was built in the 1660s, and originally named Chapelizod Bridge.

The bridge was renamed in 1982 to mark the centenary of James Joyce’s birth. (The bridge is mentioned in Joyce’s Dubliners, as one of his “Dubliners”, James Duffy, lives in Chapelizod and visits a public house near the bridge. Anna Livia is the name given to the personification of the River Liffey, and was a principal character in Joyce’s Finnegans Wake – her final monologue recalls her life as she walks along the Liffey.)

As the only bridge 8 km past the Strawberry Beds to Chapelizod, and a main thoroughfare for traffic from the western suburbs (e.g.: Clonsilla and Blanchardstown) to Dublin city centre, the volume of road traffic over the bridge and through Chapelizod has increased in recent years.

Dublin City Council planned changes to bridge, as part of a general “Traffic Management Plan for the Chapelizod area”. The changes include the construction of separate footbridge sections outside the parapets of the bridge (to improve pedestrian safety), and the creation of cycle lanes on the bridge. Preparatory works for this initiative commenced in 2010 and the official opening was held in December 2011.

SHOULD FAIRVIEW PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE BE NAMED BRAM STOKER BRIDGE

April 16, 2023 by infomatique

I USED A CANON 5D MkIII CAMERA AND A VOIGTLANDER LENS

Back in 2015 there was a proposal to remove the Fairview Footbridge and replace it with a pedestrian crossing. The good news is – the pedestrian bridge has survived.

The footbridge in my photographs replaced an older one that connected the new Fairvew playground and park to the businesses and bus stops on the North side of Fairview Road. And I must say that I like it.

This bridge appears to be popular with locals so I was surprised to come across the following by a local politician known as Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: “I am interested in hearing your views in relation to recent suggestions from Dublin City Council that they will remove the Fairview Footbridge, and replace it with a pedestrian crossing, to make way for the Clontarf – Amien Street cycle lane. Over 3 years ago I successfully lobbied for the Bridge to be refurbished, and €500,000 was invested by the council at the time” [dated July 6 2015].

According to a survey conducted by Dublin City Council: Fairview Footbridgegenerated mixed views and opinions although many commended the recent improvements made to the footbridge, requests for improvement to the appearance and accessibility of the Bridge were made. It was mentioned that access to the bridge for prams, bicycles and those with limited mobility is an issue. Naming the footbridge was a common request with the most popular suggestion being the ‘Bram Stoker Bridge’.

DUBLIN’S SÉAN O’CASEY BRIDGE

January 3, 2023 by infomatique

COULD NOT BE OPENED FOR FOUR YEARS BECAUSE OF LOST REMOTE CONTROL

The Seán O’Casey Bridge is a very useful, for me and many others, pedestrian swing-bridge spanning the River Liffey. It connects City Quay in the Grand Canal Docks area and North Wall Quay as well as the IFSC.

The bridge was opened by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in July 2005. It is named after the playwright and Irish Citizen Army member Seán O’Casey (1880–1964) who lived in the North Wall area of the city.

It is often the case when I am out photographing a local decided to provide me with some important information relating to what I am currently photographing. When photographing the area near the Sean O’Casey Bridge, a few weeks ago, I was told that it was no longer possible to open the bridge because the remote control had been lost. I must admit that I did not believe the claim but when I checked I discovered that the story was more-or-less true.

The Seán O’Casey Bridge, which has been unable to open to shipping for many years, was finally re-opened in 2014 after experts created a new remote control for the structure. A new remote control had to be created at a cost of cost of about €1,800 as it had been impossible to open the bridge as the original had been lost. Of course the story was a bit more complicated than described here.

Designed by architect Cyril O’Neill and O’Connor Sutton Cronin Consulting Engineers (for which they won an Institution of Structural Engineers Award for Pedestrian Bridges in 2006), the bridge was built in 2005 as part of a large-scale urban renewal scheme under the Dublin Docklands Development Authority to link the north and south quays and rejuvenate both. The swing bridge spans approximately 100 metres and has two balanced cantilever arms that swing open to permit boats to pass up river. As already mentioned above, in 2010 the remote control that operates the swing bridge was misplaced, and the bridge was unable to be opened until the control system was acquired in 2014.

COULD NOT BE OPENED FOR FOUR YEARS BECAUSE OF LOST REMOTE CONTROL