St. Francis Bridge

St. Francis Bridge spans the River Nore in County Kilkenny, completing a controversial road that cut through the medieval heart of Irishtown. Opened in 2017 after decades of debate and massive protest, the route required the demolition of three houses linked to an old manse, trading ancient stone for modern concrete. The bridge now carries traffic over green water, marking the exact place where a small city chose speed and access over the memory of its own streets.