Old Weir Bridge
{{short description|Bridge in Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Use Irish English|date=May 2021}}
The Old Weir Bridge is an ancient bridge located in Killarney National Park in County Kerry, Ireland.{{cite web | url=http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC25WGF_killarney-lakes-series-2-meeting-point | title=Killarney Lakes Series | accessdate=16 February 2014}} It is a twin arch bridge made of stone.
The bridge is situated at the spot known as the "Meeting of the Waters", where the three Killarney lakes meet. The waters from the Upper Lake flow into the Middle (or Muckross Lake) and Lough Leane.{{cite web | url=http://www.killarneycaravanpark.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=50 | title=Donoghues White Villa Farm - Places to visit | accessdate=16 February 2014}}
History
The actual age of the bridge is unclear, but believed to date back to the sixteenth century. A 1780 Fisher print of the bridge shows it already had fallen into a state of disrepair by the late 1700s. and remained so for at least the next 100 years.Payne Jennings 1860 print, Sean Sexton 'IRELAND in old photographs' 1994
The bridge quickly became, (and remains) a popular trip for tourist who use the swift current to propel narrow boats down the inlet.{{cite journal | url=http://www.libraryireland.com/SceneryIreland/II-5.php | title=Upper Lake of Killarney |author1=Stirling Coyne |author2=J and Willis |author3=N P | journal=The Scenery and Antiquities of Ireland C1841}}
The bridge survived the devastating floods of September 1867, when local houses, including Dinis Cottage, and other wooden structures were washed away.{{cite journal | title=Deer forests, game shooting and landed estates in the South West of Ireland, 1840 - 1970 | author=Ryan, John M. | journal=Cork Open Research Archive | year=2001 | pages=59}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{coord missing|County Kerry}}
Category:Bridges in the Republic of Ireland
Category:Buildings and structures in County Kerry
{{Ireland-bridge-struct-stub}}