The Living Bridge

The Living Bridge Irish: An Droichead Beo
County Clare, County Limerick
The Living Bridge on the UL campus
Location
Carrying:	Footpath
Crossing:	River Shannon
Location
Grid reference:	R61465848
Location:	52°40’35"N, 8°34’14"W
Structure
Length:	1,148 feet
History
	Built 2007
Architect:	Wilkinson Eyre Architects
Information
Owned by:	University of Limerick

The Living Bridge is a modern pedestrian bridge across the River Shannon linking the University of Limerick’s premises on the south and north banks of the river, in County Limerick and County Clare respectively. It was built for the university in 2007.

The bridge was designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects to provide ‘social and cultural space’; ‘to encourage pedestrians to rest a while as they cross along the gently curved structure’. The deck is supported by two underslung catenary cables and the piers of the bridge stand on islands in the stream. Here the Shannon is wide and shallow with many wooded islands which provide varied views.

At 383 yards, this is the longest pedestrian bridge in Ireland.

The bridge was completed in 2007 at a cost of €12 million, financed through largely through taxpayers’ money. Construction was undertaken by Eiffel Constructions Metalliques.

References

• Living Bridge, University of Limerick: Arup.com

Bridges and crossings on the River Shannon
Athlunkard Bridge	Plassey Bridge	University Bridge	The Living Bridge	O'Briensbridge (Shannon)	Killaloe Bridge	Portumna Bridge