Rising flood waters and mud from a nearby land slippage swept away most of a century-old bridge in Leenane, Co Galway, yesterday. Nobody was injured.
The stone-arched structure over the Lahill river collapsed shortly before 5pm after several hours of torrential rain.
Residents described hearing a loud crack, as one arch broke away initially and was followed by a second arch.
"Our bar was flooded at the time and we were quite busy, but one of the girls outside noticed it," Patricia Coyne from Hamilton's licensed premises told The Irish Times.
"There was no one on it at the time, luckily, but some people who had their cars parked the other side of it were badly stuck.
"There's been so much rain that the drains were already choked, but we've never had anything like this before," according to Ms Coyne.
An inflatable craft owned by Killary Cruises was deployed to take people across the river to vehicles yesterday evening, saving on the only alternative - a round trip by road of up to 120km (80 miles).
Initially, some of the car owners took shelter in the Leenane Cultural Centre.
The bridge links the village - best known for Killary fjord and set location for 1989 film of John B Keane's play, The Field - to the N59 route to Westport.
Mayo County Council erected warning notices on routes from the northern shores of Killary fjord to Leenane, and Galway County Council was also advising drivers to take alternative routes.
Mr Evan Molloy, Galway County Council senior engineer, said that the immediate priority was to close roads and inform people of diversions.
"We will examine the bridge, hopefully first thing tomorrow, when the river level has dropped," Mr Molloy said.
"We may be able to sort out pedestrian access and possibly put in a temporary bridge to facilitate traffic".
Gardaí from Clifden were on their way to Leenane village last night to assist in traffic diversions.
