Athlone’s White Bridge set to feature in RTÉ One series

The Athlone Railway Bridge features in episode five of the RTÉ One series, Droichid Na hÉireann, to be broadcast on January 31 next.

In the programme, presenter Lochlann Ó Mearáin sails along the River Shannon to gaze upon the bridge, known locally as the White Bridge, which was built as part of the construction of the Great Southern and Western Railway. The prospectus for the Great Southern and Western Railway was published in 1846.

The construction of the 542-foot bridge, designed by GW Hemans, was completed on the night of July 18, 1851. Three days later, the first train ever to cross the River Shannon did so in Athlone.

He also walks across the Joe Dolan Bridge in Mullingar, and also visits one of Europe’s oldest surviving suspension bridges, at Birr Castle.

In this episode, he also travels to the River Boyne where he marvels at the great engineering feat of the Boyne Viaduct and discovers if there is any truth behind the story that it is built on a foundation of cotton wool.

Droichid Na hÉireann tells the story and history of bridges in Ireland, as actor Lochlann Ó Mearáin explores the history, architecture, landscape and the people behind the bridges and the role they have played in historic events and in modern society.

From road to railway bridges, viaducts to footbridges, these man-made structures have long been an integral part of our country’s infrastructure. But beyond their primary function, how much do we really know about these structures?

Lochlann explores century-old stone bridges and modern designs, natural geological formations and great engineering feats, to reveal their hidden history and impact, far greater than just bricks and mortar.

He rediscovers the tales behind the bridges through human stories told through expert commentary and local storytelling.

The series continues on Monday, January 31, at 7.30pm on RTE One.