Bridge levelled despite protests

The demolition of a 200 year old bridge in Connemara began on Tuesday morning despite vehement opposition.

Contractors working on behalf of Galway County Council and the National Roads Authority knocked the historic Clydagh Bridge despite days of protest by locals.

The Save Clydagh Bridge Campaign of up to 100 local residents conceded defeat after their last ditch proposals to save the bridge from demolition were rejected by officials on Monday.

Protestors were threatened with arrest if the vigil at the bridge, which started last Friday morning, continued.

Planning permission to knock the bridge was obtained in some years ago as part of the upgrade of the N59 at Moycullen.

An oral hearing into the project was held in public in 2012 but most residents only became aware the bridge was facing the wrecking ball after it was raised at a public meeting convened last Thursday about traffic delays associated with the roadworks.

A delegation brought forward three proposals to County Council Chief Executive, Kevin Kelly, and officials on Monday evening but each were rejected on various grounds including cost.

The Irish Archaeological Consultancy, which surveyed it, said the bridge is a post-medieval masonry bridge crossing consisting of two spans that dates to the late 18th or early 19th century.

Campaigners said the bridge was built by engineer Alexander Nimmo in 1829 but this was disputed by officials, who believe the bridge is older but may have been restored by Nimmo in that year.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.