Bridge in Esker (longford By.)

This bridge, on one of the ancient crossing points on the river Shannon, consists of a six-arch limestone road bridge dating to 1843. The Martello tower (GA109-010----) and the late-medieval fortification called Cromwell's Castle (GA109-014----) on the N bank of the river, and the bastioned fort (OF021-003007-) in county Offaly on the S bank, emphasize the strategic importance of the crossing point through the centuries (http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah accessed 5 April 2017). The bridge was built on the site of or in close proximity to its mid-18th-century predecessor (Bradley 1986, 12-19). The latter bridge replaced an even earlier structure built between 1671 and 1690 (Cooke 1875, 320-22). The precise location of the 17th-century bridge is not known but it, too, was most likely built in close proximity to the present bridge. Remains of it may survive in situ in the bed of the river but it is possible all of it was removed when the 18th-century bridge was built. Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 5 April 2017