These images of the construction of Shannon Bridge were kindly donated to Limerick’s Life by Ray O’Brien. They were taken in 1986 and 1987 from various locations including the penthouse of St. Munchin’s House, which was demolished to make way for RiverPoint.
Calls for a new bridge on the Shannon began in earnest 1974, it took over ten years of debate between the Limerick Corporation and Government before the foundation stone was laid by the then Minister for the Environment John Boland in 1986. The Shannon Bridge was opened on 30 May 1988.
Soon after it finished it was noticed that when the wind hit the supports it caused a shrill sound which caused the bridge to be known locally as “The Whistling Bridge”. This was quickly rectified but the name stuck for a number of years.
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- The “Red Church” clearly seen on Mallow Street
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- Old red brick public toilet at the end of the street
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- View from penthouse of St. Munchin’s House, demolished to make way for RiverPoint.
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- View from Steamboat Quay
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- Steamboat Quay before the Apartments
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- Road into the Shannon river
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- Cranes busying on the quay front and river
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- View of Cleeve’s factory
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- Seamen’s memorial on the bottom right
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- At the time it was simply known as New Bridge
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- View from O’Callaghan Strand
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- View from Munchin House of O’Callaghan Strand
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- View down Steamboat Quat to the Docks
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- Front of O’Connell Street and down Mallow Street
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- View down Mallow Street