The first published reference to the direct route from Kenmare to Bantry appears in the First Report on Public Works, issued in 1833. This would involve a major new bridge in Kenmare crossing the Sound that would replace a ferry service operated at the time by Henry Duckett. He was compensated once the bridge was built by being appointed as a ‘gangman’ for the Board of Works – at a shilling a day. The work on the bridge commenced in 1840, Lord Lansdowne laid the foundation stone, and was completed in 1841 at a cost of £7,280 of which the Marquis of Lansdowne contributed £3,200. Designed by Scottish engineer William Bald, the main principal of the bridge was, “Wrought iron suspension bridge with two half catenaries of pairs of chains, suspended from tower on island in middle of estuary.” This centre tower was from which the supporting chains were suspended. The tower itself was designed by Mr Barry and was 36 feet long and 21 feet wide at the back and 10 x 7 feet at the top on each side of the roadway arch. It rose to approximately 55 feet above low water.
Early in 1932 the bridge was finally declared unsafe and closed to traffic. Ireland’s first suspension bridge was disappearing and had only one last function to perform – being used as a working platform for the construction of its replacement which is still in use today.
The Suspension Bridge
Old postcard showing the Suspension Bridge taken from the Riversdale [...]
