Obelisk Bridge repair

CLLR Frank Godfrey is calling on emergency work to be carried out on the old obelisk bridge where King William of Orange crossed the Boyne in 1690, which he is calling ‘Ireland’s forgotten bridge’.

‘ The capping is falling into the river; the metalwork is rusting and it hasn’t be painted in years. It needs a major overhaul!’ said Cllr Frank Godfrey, who raised the matter at the May meeting of Louth County Council Borough District of Drogheda.

Cllr Godfrey asked if the bridge is structurally sound and could Louth County Council carry out an up-to-date report on it.

‘We need to put aside funding now to carry out urgent works on this historic bridge.’

He was told a report from 2015 showed it is a protected structure which can’t be replaced unless it is unsafe, which is not the case.

The cost of repair was estimated at between €570,000 and €770,000 and has the bridge is in both Louth and Meath, it is a matter for both counties.