WORK BEGINS TO PUT TEMPORARY LEENAUN BRIDGE IN PLACE

Date Published: 19-Jul-2007

It’s hoped a temporary bridge will be put in place at Leenane within weeks after the Leenaun Bridge collapsed last evening in Connemara.

Torrents of rain hitting the North Connemara Hills swept mud and bushes into the Leenaun River causing the bridge to be swept away.

The stone bridge, built in 1825, was made famous in the film ‘The Field’ and wasn’t designed for heavy loads from lorries.

It’s on a major tourist route and on the N59 road from Connemara to West Mayo.

Motorists travelling between Connemara and Mayo are now facing an 80km detour through Ballinrobe.

Co Co Director of Services John Morgan says they’ll put a pedestrian bridge in place first and then a temporary bridge for cars