Old Weir Bridge

The Old Weir Bridge is an ancient bridge located in Killarney National Park in County Kerry, Ireland.[1] It is a twin arch bridge made of stone.

The bridge is situated at the spot known as the "Meeting of the Waters", where the three Killarney lakes meet. The waters from the Upper Lake flow into the Middle (or Muckross Lake) and Lough Leane.[2]

The Old Weir Bridge in a dated drawing.

History

The actual age of the bridge is unclear, but believed to date back to the sixteenth century. A 1780 Fisher print of the bridge shows it already had fallen into a state of disrepair by the late 1700s.[1] and remained so for at least the next 100 years.[3]

The bridge quickly became, (and remains) a popular trip for tourist who use the swift current to propel narrow boats down the inlet.[1][4]

The bridge survived the devastating floods of September 1867, when local houses, including Dinis Cottage, and other wooden structures were washed away.[5]

A modern view of the bridge, showing recent repairs. The high-water mark can be seen on the central column.
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References
  1. "Killarney Lakes Series". Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  2. "Donoghues White Villa Farm - Places to visit". Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  3. Payne Jennings 1860 print, Sean Sexton 'IRELAND in old photographs' 1994
  4. Stirling Coyne; J and Willis; N P. "Upper Lake of Killarney". The Scenery and Antiquities of Ireland c1841.
  5. Ryan, John M. (2001). "Deer forests, game shooting and landed estates in the South West of Ireland, 1840 - 1970". Cork Open Research Archive: 59.


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