Pedestrian Bridge

TODAY I VISITED DROGHEDA PHOTOGRAPHED THE HUGH DE LACY PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE

October 16, 2023 by infomatique

16 OCTOBER 2023

I lived near Drogheda and my sister had a business in the town but she relocated to Florida and it is many years since I visited to town.

Back in 2004 a child in Drogheda, yet unknown, was set to have a lasting impact on the town by naming the new bridge at Scotch Hall. Children from primary schools across Drogheda were be asked to forward their ideas on a name for the bridge in January. I believe that the bridge was originally named the Millennium Bridge.

The De Lacy Bridge was opened in 2005 and, apart from the Boyne Railway Viaduct, is the lowest crossing point of the River Boyne. It is named after Hugh De Lacy who founded the town of Drogheda in 1194. Hugh de Lacy was one of the most powerful men in Ireland in the late 1100s

The bridge was built in conjunction with Phase 1 of the Scotch Hall shopping centre development on the south bank of the river.

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.

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