Michael Davitt Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Michael Davitt Bridge is a swing bridge
in County Mayo
, Ireland
that crosses from the Corraun Peninsula to Achill Island
.
, 19th Century Irish social campaigner, Fenian
, and founder of the National Land League, who officially opened it in 1887.
In 1947, the old bridge, too small to adequately convey vehicular traffic, was abandoned and a new bridge was built along the south side of the original, also called the Michael Davitt Bridge.
The bridge is maintained by the Mayo County Council. Work started to widen the bridge in September 2007. A completely new replacement bridge was installed and opened for traffic in summer 2008.
Swing bridge
A swing bridge is a movable bridge that has as its primary structural support a vertical locating pin and support ring, usually at or near to its centre of gravity, about which the turning span can then pivot horizontally as shown in the animated illustration to the right...
in County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
that crosses from the Corraun Peninsula to Achill Island
Achill Island
Achill Island in County Mayo is the largest island off the coast of Ireland, and is situated off the west coast. It has a population of 2,700. Its area is . Achill is attached to the mainland by Michael Davitt Bridge, between the villages of Gob an Choire and Poll Raithní . A bridge was first...
.
History
It is named for Michael DavittMichael Davitt
Michael Davitt was an Irish republican and nationalist agrarian agitator, a social campaigner, labour leader, journalist, Home Rule constitutional politician and Member of Parliament , who founded the Irish National Land League.- Early years :Michael Davitt was born in Straide, County Mayo,...
, 19th Century Irish social campaigner, Fenian
Fenian
The Fenians , both the Fenian Brotherhood and Irish Republican Brotherhood , were fraternal organisations dedicated to the establishment of an independent Irish Republic in the 19th and early 20th century. The name "Fenians" was first applied by John O'Mahony to the members of the Irish republican...
, and founder of the National Land League, who officially opened it in 1887.
In 1947, the old bridge, too small to adequately convey vehicular traffic, was abandoned and a new bridge was built along the south side of the original, also called the Michael Davitt Bridge.
The bridge is maintained by the Mayo County Council. Work started to widen the bridge in September 2007. A completely new replacement bridge was installed and opened for traffic in summer 2008.