Mizen bridge wins another prize

The lavish €600m Terminal 2 building at Dublin Airport has been left in the shade by a near-€2m foot bridge project in West Cork.

The Mizen Head bridge, which connects the mainland to the country’s most southerly lighthouse, has scooped another prestigious engineering award.

And the precast concrete crossing, officially opened in March, is also in line for more accolades.

The €1.8m near replica of a bridge built in 1909 won the Institute of Structural Engineer best project. Other entries had included Dublin’s new Terminal 2.

Only a few months ago, the footbridge won Engineering Project of the Year in an online public vote.

Cork County Council’s county engineer Noel O’Keeffe said he was delighted with the awards and was hoping for even more.

“On February 11, we are in with the chance of winning three further awards from the Local Authority Members’ Association. We are shortlisted for best bridge built, best civil engineering project and best heritage project.”

The new bridge, which was built to replace the original concrete structure, has attracted thousands of tourists since it opened and it allows them access the Mizen interpretive centre.

It was funded jointly by the Commissioners of Irish Lights, the county council and Fáilte Ireland.