THE MIZEN Head footbridge in west Cork is to reopen to the public on St Patrick’s Day following a €1.8 million reconstruction.
Fáilte Ireland, the Commissioners of Irish Lights and Cork County Council jointly funded the contract to rebuild the iconic structure.
The original structure was completed in 1909. It is an early example of the use of reinforced concrete as a material. In its day, the 52m (171ft) span was of record length for a reinforced concrete arch construction.
The footbridge was the first of its kind in the country but its steel arches have become corroded by sea salt in recent years.
Its original purpose was to provide access for the staff of the Commissioners of Irish Lights to the fog signal station at Mizen Head. It connects the mainland to Cloghane island and up to 50,000 people walk across it each year.
In recent years, the bridge has become a popular tourist attraction as it links the Mizen Visitors’ Centre with displays in the original lighthouse buildings on the island.
Throughout its 100-year life, the bridge has been subject to extreme weather and environmental conditions, which slowly took their toll and caused serious deterioration of the structure.
In 2005, a temporary footway was installed. Its lifespan ended in 2009 when the contract for the construction of the new bridge was signed. It is an exact replica of the existing structure. The Mizen Head signal station has been open to the public since 1994 and is a key tourist attraction.