Delight as €1.35m Gaddagh bridge re-opens

LIFE returned to normal in a scenic, rural area of Kerry yesterday with the official opening of a new €1.35 million bridge by Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue.

The 70m, five-arch, concrete structure replaces an old stone bridge over the River Gaddagh, near Beaufort, that collapsed following extremely heavy rainfall in December 2006.

The collapse resulted in the closure of the road and traffic diversions, which created serious difficulties for the local community, especially those involved in farming, with a number of landowners having lands on both sides of the bridge.

It meant a lengthy detour for those who needed to access the other side of the Gaddagh River.

Mr O’Donoghue said it was a very busy and important local secondary route, crucial to the area in terms of agriculture, rural tourism and access to the Beaufort and Glencar area.

As well as being a tributary of the River Laune, one of Kerry’s main fishing rivers, the Gaddagh River itself was an important angling river, he added.

“As a result, the income generated from anglers coming to the area to fish the local river is hugely important to the local economy,” Mr O’Donoghue said.

As the Gaddagh is a salmon spawning and salmon fishing river, the South West Regional Fisheries Board was consulted by Kerry County Council during the design and construction to minimise disruption to the river.

A special feature was built into the bridge design to allow fish to swim upstream during low water.

The area is also important for outdoor activities and is a short distance from Carrantouhill, and the Gap of Dunloe, and other routes for hillwalking and climbing.