Cork City Bridge Walk

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WHFR

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Trail stats

Distance: 2.67 mi
Elevation gain: 3 ft
Technical difficulty: Easy
Elevation loss: 3 ft
Max elevation: 66 ft
TrailRank: 38
Min elevation: 7 ft
Trail type: Loop

Time: 59 minutes
Coordinates: 360
Uploaded: March 28, 2021
Recorded: March 2021

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near Cork, Munster (Ireland)

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Itinerary description

Certainly Cork City's foundation started with a lonely hut on one of the islands that today appear as one.
The town surely was not only influenced by Vikings, Normans, English and Hugenots. Also the Great Famine between 1845 and 1852 left its trace like every where in Ireland as much as the several efforts to gain independence did.
Historical buildings, dating back to the 18th century, a few left along the Grand Parade, had to make place for so called progress. In doing so there wasn’t much attention given to conserve any evidence of ancient settlements.
This attitude of the Irish, especially of the ones in responsible positions, to conserve old cultural places (ogham stones), old settlements (ring forts) and also historical buildings, still exists in my mind today.
A lot of the demolition of older buildings was done in the name of progress and attracting foreign investment in the retail sector.
Cork City nowadays definitely has a thriving, commercial and cultural sector but has not much to offer when it comes to sites with ancient historical evidence.
Cork City’s Arts and cultural life is well established.
The City is home of several galleries, museums, theatres and several artist workshops and is also well known for its festivals throughout the year.
Cork has been the European Capital of Culture in 2005 which reflects the vibrancy of the above, but unfortunately as to historical sites it is sadly lacking.

Waypoints

Trinity Bridge

Parliments Bridge

Parliament Bridge was built in 1806. It is an elegant, single-arched bridge, which is built mainly from limestone. It replaced an earlier bridge on the same site, which was damaged by a flood in 1804. (25) http://www.corkpastandpresent.ie/mapsimages/corkphotographs/corkcameraclubhistoricalphotos/parliamentbridge/ This is one of the most attractive road bridges in Cork. Made out of Limestone it is a classic example of a 19th Century bridge in the classical style. (26) https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/20515061/parliament-bridge-cork-city-cork-city-cork

Nano Nagle Bridge

South Gate Bridge

The bridge was built 1713 by Chatterton and Coltsman (13). https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/20515065/south-gate-bridge-south-main-street-cork-city-cork-city-cork It is very likely that a bridge has existed on or near the site of the South Gate Bridge since the arrival of the Vikings in Cork between the ninth and tenth centuries. The Vikings settled on the south island and on the south bank of the Lee directly across the river. A bridge or ford almost certainly linked the two settlements. (14) http://www.corkpastandpresent.ie/mapsimages/corkphotographs/michaelolearyphotos/southgatebridge/

Clarke's Bridge

Clarke's Bridge which connects Wandesford's Quay with Hanover Street was built in 1776. This bridge is one of the oldest bridges in the city. When originally built the bridge connected Wandesford's Quay and Clarke's Marsh with the city, hence the name Clarke's Bridge. Its construction helped to relieve some traffic approaching along the South Gate Bridge of Cork City. (7) http://www.corkpastandpresent.ie/mapsimages/corkphotographs/corkcameraclubhistoricalphotos/clarkesbridge/

St Finbarr's Bridge

St Vincent's Bridge

The first St Vincent's Bridge (it takes its name from the nearby St Vincent´s Church) was a temporary footbridge, which was put in place in 1862. While St Patrick´s Bridge was being built that timber footbridge had been used to connect Merchant's Quay and St Patrick´s Quay. The present St Vincent's Bridge was opened in 1878. (29) http://www.corkpastandpresent.ie/mapsimages/corkphotographs/corkcameraclubhistoricalphotos/stvincentsbridge/

North Gate Bridge

The present day Griffith Bridge replaced the former cast-iron bridge in 1961. Like the South Gate Bridge the North Gate was built of wood until the early years of the eighteenth century. The wooden bridges were replaced in 1639 by bridges again built of wood after a flood in 1630 swept away the existing bridges. (8) http://www.corkpastandpresent.ie/mapsimages/corkphotographs/michaelolearyphotos/northgatebridge/

Shandon Bridge

Christy Ring Bridge

St Patrick's Bridge

The foundation stone of the first Saint Patrick's Bridge was laid on 25 July 1788 and the bridge was opened on 29 September 1789. This first bridge was destroyed by another severe flood in November 1853. The Mayor of Cork opened the new Saint Patrick's Bridge on 12 December 1861. (27) http://www.corkpastandpresent.ie/places/stpatricksstreet/selectedplacesofinterest/stpatricksbridge/