Historic Laois bridge in danger of collapse
The historic 17th century Tarbert Bridge is in danger of collapse. File image
A HISTORIC Laois bridge is in danger of collapse, with no money available for urgent repairs.
The road will be flooded and an important monument lost if the 400-year-old bridge falls, a council meeting was told.
The perilous condition of Tarbert Bridge in Trumera is causing serious concern, with one councillor warning that the structure is “in danger of collapsing completely”.
“The road there will be flooded if that happens,” Cllr James Kelly told the January meeting of Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District (MD).
The picturesque 17th century stone bridge is located just off the road between Abbeyleix and Mountrath, on the way to Raheen.
Cllr Kelly highlighted the historical significance of the bridge, which was built in the early 1600s when leaders and followers of the famous Seven Septs of Laois were transplanted to north Kerry.
The notorious banishment facilitated the plantations of what was then Queen’s County and is reflected in the name of the bridge, called after the village of Tarbert in Kerry.
As well as calling for repairs, Cllr Kelly asked for a plaque to be erected at the bridge to mark its significance in the county’s history. The bridge is highlighted in the book ‘From Laois to Kerry’, which was published by retired University College Cork lecturer Dr Michael Christopher Keane in 2017.
Senior engineer Rory O’Callaghan said that bridge maintenance and engineering inspections would be carried out on the bridge, to determine what repair works were needed. If structural repair works were identified, the project would be submitted to the relevant government department for funding in 2027.
The engineer added that vegetation clearance would be carried out on the bridge in the week after the MD meeting, which was held on 14 January.
Cllr Kelly said: “I’m not happy with that reply regarding funding for 2027. I know you would have applied last year for 2026 but this bridge is in danger of collapsing completely.
“If the bridge collapses, there could be issues with the road. It’s on the turn off from the Abbeyleix road up to Raheen. They will have flooding on that road if the bridge works are not done.”
The Independent councillor from Mountrath asked for an urgent inspection to be carried out, when the vegetation is being cleared from the bridge this month.
Mr O’Callaghan replied that that he would carry out an engineering inspection, as soon as water levels beneath the bridge allowed.
