REWIND: Opening of the new St John's Bridge in Kilkenny (1910)
From The Kilkenny People archive in 1910
In the presence of a large and representative gathering of citizens and county people the new St John's Bridge, which as a result of the hearty co-operation of the Corporation and County Council has been erected at a cost of over £6,000, was formally declared open to traffic on Monday afternoon last.
The ceremony, which was of a unique and picturesque character, was really performed by the Mayor, representing the citizens, and Mr. Joseph Walsh, J.P., Chairman of the County Council, representing the County, but acting in accordance with the unanimous wishes of the Joint Bridge Committee, the duty of declaring the bridge open to traffic devolved on the Mayor, who discharged it in a graceful and most happy manner.
READ NEXT: Kilkenny shop announces temporary closure
Built after the plans of Mr. A. M. Burden, C.E., County Surveyor, the new structure is composed entirely of ferro-concrete, and it is interesting to know that Kilkenny now enjoys the distinction of having a bridge with the longest span - 140 feet - of that material in the United Kingdom.
Though not possessing all the architectural beauties of the bridge which it replaces, the new structure is very handsome in appearance, and from the point of view of those using it for business purposes it confers immense advantages on both city and county.
Two handsome mural tablets at either end of the bridge contain the following inscriptions, which were splendidly engraved by Mr. Michael O'Dwyer, sculptor, John Street, Kilkenny.
The members and officials of the County Council present were Mr. Joseph Walsh, J.P., chairman; Mahor J. H. Connellan, D.L., J.P.; Messrs. R. Brenan, John P. Fogarty, James Doyle, Newhouse; J. Barry, R. O'Gorman, J. G. Dooley, Philip Purcell, J.P.; E. Corr, P. Tobin, J.P.; H. J. Meagher, James Hawe, John F. Smithwick, J.P.; P. F. Byrne, J.P.; Henry Shearman, Thomas f. Murphy, J.P.; W. O'Connell, J.P.; John Butler, J.P.; Jas. Harte, solr.; George J. Morris, secretary; E. O'F. Nugent, manager National Bank (the Council's Treasurer); A. M. Burden, County Surveyor; Thomas Drew, accountant; John Brennan, Michael McCarthy, and John Carroll.
The members and officials of the Corporation present were-Ald. M. L. Potter, J.P., Mayor; Ald. T. Cantwell, J.P.; Ald. J. McCarthy, P.L.G.; Ald. Jas. Nowlan; Councillors D. Kerwick, Thomas Walsh, H. L. Power, C.E.; J. F. Hacket, T. W. O'Hanrahan, J.P.; John Morris, George Stallard, P.L.G.; John Tynan, Patrick Rowan, P.L.G.; Michael Phelan, J.P.; E. Kenna, P.L.G.; Laurence Long, P.L.G.; P. Lennon, E. O'Connell, town clerk; M. Buggy, solr.; Richard C. Murphy, engineer; P. J. Morrissey, J.P.; borough treasurer.
The following were amongst those also present - Rev. T. Forde, William St.; Dr. R. E. Griffin, Messrs. E. Smithwick, J.P.; F. C. V. Ireland, D.I., R.I.C.; Nicholas Healy, solr.; F. W. Doheny, B.A., solr.; A. Dillon, D.C., Cuffesgrange; J. Brennan, Neigham; E. T. Keane, "Kilkenny People"; A. J. McCreery, W. J. Cleere, W. K. Cleere, Messrs. Roe and Griffith, Cloth Hall; G. Gilmore, M.P.S.I.; J. B. O'Neill, J. J. Power, Connecti-cut, U.S.A.; John R. Statham, P. F. Doran, High St.; James Kelly, senr., Irishtown; P. J. Comerford, John St.; W. F. O'Meara, John Meany, R. H. Duthie, R. Stoney, W. Julian, Freshford; Michael O'Dwyer, A. B. Hunter, manager, Kilkenny Woollen Mills; G. T. Phillips, headmaster, City Technical Schools; P. J. Corcoran, Goresbridge; Philip Clohosey, T. Connolly, S. Costelloe, J. O'Gorman, Thomas Stallard, P. Millea, Warrington, H. Phelan, etc.
There was also a very large and representative attendance of ladies on the bridge at the time the opening ceremony was performed.