Brother Edmund-Ignatius Rice Bridge

The Brother Edmund-Ignatius Rice Bridge (known as the Rice Bridge) is a bridge which carries the R680 over the River Suir in Waterford, County Waterford. It was built in stages between 1982 and 1986, with part opening to traffic in 1984.

Prior to the opening of the Thomas Francis Meagher Bridge in October 2009, it was the main crossing point of the River Suir in the area, carrying the N25 over the river in the town centre.

The bridge is named after Brother Edmund-Ignatius Rice, who was local to the area and devoted much of his life to working with the poor of Waterford.

In planning, it was called Waterford City Bridge.

The Redmond Bridge

The Redmond Bridge looking towards the station, 1982

Prior to the construction of the Rice Bridge, an older bridge stood on the site, called The Redmond Bridge, which opened in 1913 (construction commenced in 1910). This was demolished during the construction of the present bridge as it was deemed to be unsafe. This bridge was named after nationalist MP John Redmond.

Timbertoes Bridge

The first bridge on the site, however, was constructed in 1794, and was called Timbertoes Bridge. It survived until its replacement by the Redmond Bridge.

Prior to this, the crossing was operated by ferries.

Links

RTE Archives

• Waterford Bridge Collapse  18.01.1986 (archive.org)

• New Waterford Bridge Damaged  21.01.1986 (archive.org)

• Waterford City New Bridge  08.07.1986 (archive.org)

• Second Time Lucky For Waterford Bridge  08.07.1986 (archive.org)