Our Story in Stone and Steel - The Bridges of Limerick City

 

Our Story in Stone and Steel

The Bridges of Limerick City
By Kieran Beville

Published in the Limerick Leader (21 June, 2025)

Nestled along the broad and often tempestuous waters of the River Shannon, Limerick is a city shaped as much by its geography as by its history. Central to both has been its bridges—spanning centuries, civilisations, and struggles. These structures are far more than feats of engineering; they are living monuments to Limerick’s past, reflecting the social, political, and architectural evolution of one of Ireland’s oldest urban centres.

Thomond Bridge – A Battleground of Nations

Standing at the western edge of Limerick’s medieval core, Thomond Bridge has long held strategic importance. The first crossing at this site is believed to have been constructed by the native Irish, with a more permanent stone bridge built by the Anglo-Normans in the early 13th century following the arrival of King John of England, whose eponymous castle still looms nearby.

Thomond Bridge soon became a linchpin in the city's defence and commerce. It formed the crucial link between the walled English town and the Gaelic lands of Thomond to the west. As such, it was often a frontline in the centuries-long contest between English and Irish powers.

During the Williamite War in Ireland (1688–1691), Thomond Bridge took centre stage in the Siege of Limerick in 1691. Under the command of Patrick Sarsfield, Irish Jacobite defenders used the bridge to mount a desperate defence against the advancing forces of King William III. Trenches were dug, cannon emplacements fortified, and the bridge was barricaded with rubble and timber.

The siege ended in a controversial peace—the Treaty of Limerick—signed on 3 October 1691 on the stone beside the bridge. The treaty promised tolerance for Catholics and protection of property rights. However, when the English Parliament refused to ratify its terms, it was seen as a betrayal, giving rise to the city's enduring moniker “City of the Broken Treaty.” Today, the Treaty Stone, mounted on a plinth on the Clare side of the bridge, stands as a stark reminder of this broken promise.

The current iteration of Thomond Bridge, built in 1836, replaced the decayed remnants of earlier versions and remains a vital crossing and historical touchstone.

Sarsfield Bridge – From Imperial Tribute to National Pride

Constructed just before Thomond’s current form, Sarsfield Bridge opened in 1835, originally named Wellesley Bridge in honour of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington a hero of the Napoleonic Wars and a symbol of British imperial power. The design, attributed to the prolific engineer Alexander Nimmo, took over a decade to complete and was part of a wave of 19th-century infrastructure projects across Ireland under British rule.

Built from Portland stone, the bridge features five elliptical arches and exemplifies neoclassical elegance. It quickly became the city's principal thoroughfare, supporting increasing commercial activity along the burgeoning Georgian Quarter in Newtown Pery.

Following Irish independence, national sentiment prompted a renaming and the bridge became Sarsfield Bridge, in tribute to Patrick Sarsfield, who not only led the defence of Limerick during the siege but also executed the famous raid on Ballyneety, destroying Williamite artillery and delaying the siege. Sarsfield, who later died fighting for France in the Irish Brigade, remains one of Limerick’s most revered figures.

Abbey River Crossings – Connecting the Medieval Core

While the Shannon dominates the city’s topography, the Abbey River—a narrow, winding offshoot of the Shannon—encircles King’s Island, creating a natural defensive moat that shaped Limerick’s medieval layout.

Bridges across the Abbey were originally made from timber and later stone, and served critical civic functions: connecting the English Town (anchored by the castle and cathedral) with the surrounding parishes and later developments. The O'Dwyer Bridge, which links Corbally to the city centre, has undergone multiple reconstructions since its 19th-century origins, reflecting the city's constant reshaping.

These smaller spans also supported intra-city trade, especially during the 18th-century Georgian boom, when merchant wealth funded the expansion of Limerick’s Southside into a grid of fine townhouses, quays, and warehouses.

20th-Century Crossings – Industrial Growth and Urban Sprawl

With the arrival of automobiles and industrial expansion, the existing bridges could no longer handle increasing traffic. The Shannon Bridge, opened in 1988, represented a crucial step in relieving congestion. A concrete girder bridge, it linked the north and south of the city outside the crowded historic core. Though not as aesthetically rich as its predecessors, its utility proved vital in the city’s continued growth.

The Living Bridge – Harmony Between Nature and Design

One of the newest and most celebrated additions to Limerick’s network of crossings is the Living Bridge, opened in 2007 at the University of Limerick. Designed by the renowned firm Wilkinson Eyre Architects, the bridge exemplifies 21st-century design priorities—prioritising community use, aesthetics, and environmental sensitivity.

At over 350 metres, it is the longest pedestrian bridge in Ireland, gently curving across the Shannon with platforms designed for pausing, reflection, and nature-watching. It connects the university's expanding north and south campuses and is frequently used by students, staff, and visitors alike.

Complementing it are other footbridges such as the Sylvester O’Halloran Footbridge, which connects historic residential districts while honouring Limerick’s notable 18th-century surgeon and antiquarian.

A City in Motion

From their role in medieval warfare to their function in easing modern commuter traffic, Limerick’s bridges are more than static infrastructure—they are historical actors. Each crossing speaks to a different chapter of the city’s story – conquest and resistance, colonial rule and national independence, economic hardship and revival.

Matthew Bridge – A Merchant’s vision over the Abbey River

Constructed in the 19th century, Matthew Bridge spans the Abbey River, linking Bank Place with Bridge Street near the heart of Limerick’s medieval quarter. It is frequently attributed to William Matthew, a well-known Georgian-era merchant and philanthropist. However, its name actually honours Fr. Theobald Mathew, a Capuchin friar recognised for leading a widespread temperance campaign across Ireland. The bridge was part of a broader wave of urban development that saw Limerick’s commercial and civic infrastructure modernised to match its growing economic importance. Built of limestone with a graceful three-arch design, Matthew Bridge facilitated easier movement between the bustling merchant city of Newtown Pery and the older English Town on King’s Island, strengthening trade links and urban cohesion. Today, while overshadowed by its grander counterparts, Matthew Bridge remains a vital crossing and a reminder of the city’s 18^th and 19^th century transformation from fortified stronghold to thriving mercantile hub.

Baal’s Bridge – Masonry and Myth

Baal’s Bridge, one of the oldest surviving bridge sites in Limerick, spans the Abbey River near the southern tip of King’s Island, linking the medieval quarter to Irishtown. The original stone structure is believed to date back to at least the early 16th century, though earlier wooden crossings likely existed. It served not only as a crucial commercial link for merchants and traders but also played a symbolic role in the civic and spiritual life of the city.

The current bridge, rebuilt in 1830, retains its historical footprint, and during its reconstruction, workers uncovered a now-famous artefact beneath the structure – the Baal’s Bridge Square, a small brass Masonic square engraved with the inscription, “I will strive to live with love and care upon the level, by the square.” Dated 1507, it is considered one of the oldest Masonic artefacts in the world and is revered in international Freemasonry lore. Baal’s Bridge thus stands not only as a practical crossing but as a site steeped in mystery, fraternity, and the layered history of Limerick’s early modern period.

The Metal Railway Bridge

We have looked at road bridges but there are railway bridges too. One important railway bridge that crosses the river Shannon is known locally as ‘The Metal Bridge’. It stands as both an industrial relic and a living artery of Ireland’s rail network. Trains cross the bridge daily, connecting Limerick with Ennis, Gort, and Athenry before reaching Galway—strengthening economic and social ties across the west of Ireland.

Bridges Beyond Stone and Steel

Limerick’s bridges are far more than functional crossings—they are the city’s lifelines through time, each span carrying the weight of its past while bearing witness to its evolving identity. From the embattled stones of Thomond Bridge to the graceful arcs of the Living Bridge, these structures mirror Limerick’s journey: from medieval stronghold to mercantile hub, from colonial outpost to confident regional capital.

They tell stories of siege and survival, of civic vision and forgotten promises, of craftsmanship, community, and continuity. Whether built of limestone or steel each bridge stands as a physical and symbolic link — uniting not only the city’s geography but also its generations. In crossing them, we don’t just move through space, we move through history.

©Kieran Beville