Clare County Council has completed a rehabilitation project at Saint Brendan’s Bridge just east of Lisdoonvarna, near St. Brendan’s Road.
Repair works were carried out by Triur Construction Ltd and comprised masonry repair and repointing, grouting, and the installation of tie bars and pattress plates. The bridge spans a ravine with a level difference of over 7m from the road surface to the river below.
During the early days of the works site staff from Triur Construction Ltd. found a piece of cut some with an inscription and shortly after found a second piece. When put together they read “Saint Brendan’s Bridge – Built AD 1844 – James Boyd C S”. Clare County Council has reinstated the plaque in its rightful place on the bridge parapet.
It was over 174 years ago that work to construct this single span cut stone masonry arch bridge was undertaken.
Clare County Council would like to pay tribute to the people who built this magnificent structure during very difficult times in County Clare.