O'Connell bridge 'won't be lost to sea'

Rising tides are eating away at Ireland’s most historic landmark – but experts today said there was no danger of O’Connell Bridge falling into the sea.

There were fears the capital’s greatest landmark might collapse after eagle-eyed passers-by spotted cracks in the structure and the neighbouring Butt Bridge.

But structural engineer Dr Peter McCabe said the 200-year-old bridges would continue to take pride of place in the capital despite decay caused by higher tides.

“The bridges will not collapse, even in the future,” he said. “There is a slight settlement in the main bridge and I suspect the cause is scour of foundations because of heavy flow in the river caused by rising tides.”

Conservationists became alarmed after noticing a fracture following recent restoration works.

The National Conservation and Heritage Group (NCHG) called in Dr McCabe, a specialist in marine engineering, to carry out a study of the bridge.

But Dr McCabe warned repair works were required for both O’Connell Bridge and Butt Bridge to prevent their condition from worsening.

“There will be a gradual decay and repair work must be carried out.”

Chairman of the NCHG Damien Cassidy criticised Dublin City Council (DCC) for ignoring problems brought about by global warming.

“At high tide, instead of the water going under the bridge safely, it is hitting the bridge itself. They (DCC) must throw away old weather and tidal charts and look to the future. We’ve got to get realistic about what’s happening to the planet.”

Dr McCabe spent two hours on Monday examining the two bridges where he identified settlement, or subsidence, which can lead to cracks in their structure.

“An increase in tidal level causes a bigger flow in river and that will probably cause scour at riverbed and undermine the piers.”

Dublin may need to consider dredging the river to make the channel deeper or erecting a protective barrier similar to the Thames in London.

O’Connell Bridge was designed by James Gandon, the revered architect behind many of the city’s most impressive buildings, including the Custom House and the Four Courts.

Built in 1794-98, it was originally called the Carlisle Bridge and widened and altered in 1800 before being renamed two years later after Daniel O’Connell.