Beamish and Crawford Bridges, Cork

The bridges improve connectivity through a historic part of Cork city, supporting sustainable urban mobility while creating clearer routes for pedestrians and cyclists. The northern bridge follows a curved alignment from Lambley’s Lane to Crosse’s Green, responding directly to natural movement patterns. The southern bridge provides a broader connection to the proposed Events Centre, with generous deck widths that support access, egress and public use.

The design approach is rooted in respect for Cork’s architectural heritage. The bridges are carefully positioned and detailed to complement French’s Quay, the medieval city wall and protected views towards St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral. Rather than treating the bridges as standalone infrastructure, the project frames them as part of the wider urban fabric, helping the Beamish and Crawford Quarter reconnect with the city around it.

Flood protection was a central driver of the design. Active and passive measures are integrated into the structures, including constant level flood plates within the deck profiles and primary spanning elements kept above deck to protect hydraulic performance. The result is a pair of technically robust bridges that also act as civic vantage points, combining lightness, night time illumination and refined detailing along the River Lee.