This is a list of crossings of the River Shannon, in Ireland (including bridges, tunnels, ferries and fords), from its source in the Shannon Pot to the Shannon Estuary where the river widens before it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Bridges not primarily intended for public use but which have limited access (generally only in the daytime and only for bicycle and foot traffic) are not included.
Crossings
+Key to heritage status Status CriteriaNIAH Rated as a structure of National heritage by the National Inventory of Architectural HeritageNIAH(Regional) Rated as a structure of Regional heritage by the National Inventory of Architectural HeritageRPS Listed on the Record of Protected Structures of the named city or county council
+Crossings in order from source to mouthCrossingDateCoordinatesHeritagestatusLocalityNotesImageThe source of the River Shannon-Shannon PotIncluded for completenessBradán Feasa footbridge-Shannon Pot, County CavanFootbridge, built by the OPW, which crosses the infant Shannon about 20 meters downstream from the Shannon PotDowra bridge1862NIAH(Regional)Dowra, County CavanLast crossing above Lough Allen. Carries the R200 between Counties Cavan and Leitrim.Bellintra bridge-Derrynadooey, County RoscommonFirst crossing below Lough Allen. Carries a local road (L33783 off the R280) between Counties Roscommon and Leitrim. Above sluice gates operated by the ESB Group.R280 bridge-Aghafin, County Roscommon/Mahanagh, County LeitrimCarries the R280 between Counties Roscommon and Leitrim.Battlebridge-Battlebridge, County Roscommon/Drumhierny, County LeitrimCarries the R284 between Counties Roscommon and Leitrim.Hartley bridge1915-Cleaheen County Roscommon, 6 km west of Cootehall/County Roscommon, 3 km north of Carrick on Shannon, County LeitrimCarries a minor road between Counties Roscommon and Leitrim. Leitrim County Council has plans to replace the bridge before 2030.Carrick Bridge1846NIAH(Regional)Carrick-on-Shannon, County LeitrimCarries the N4 from through Carrick-on-Shannon crossing between Roscommon and Leitrim. Replaced an earlier bridge.Drumsna Railway Bridge2009-Lough Tap, Border of Co. Roscommon & LeitrimCarries the Dublin–Sligo railway line between Counties Roscommon and Leitrim over Lough Tap. Links Dromod and Carrick-on-Shannon railway stations. Replaced existing bridge dated from 1862.The Jamestown Canal bypasses a non-navigable section of the River Shannon between Jamestown and DrumsnaXXmain Shannon crossingsJamestown Bridgec. 1846NIAH(Regional)East of Jamestown, County LeitrimFirst of two bridges carrying the L3656 from Jamestown to Drumsna through the northern tip of County RoscommonDrumsna Bridge1800sNIAH(Regional)Southwest of Drumsna, County LeitrimSecond of two bridges carrying the L3656 from Jamestown to Drumsna through the northern tip of County RoscommonXXJamestown canal crossingsUnnamed Jamestown Canal Bridge (1)-County Roscommon, 1 km south of Jamestown, 2 km South West of Drumsna, both in County LeitrimCarries a minor road from the L3656 Jamestown/Drumsna Road to the L1405 Drumsna/Strokestown RoadCorry Bridge Jamestown Canalc.1850NIAH(Regional)Corry, Co. RoscommonCarries the L1405 from the L3656 Jamestown/Drumsna Road towards StrokestownThe Jamestown canal rejoins the Shannon at Lough NanogeRoosky Bridge1840-1850NIAH(Regional)Roosky, Co. RoscommonCarries the R371 between Counties Roscommon and Leitrim through Roosky.Tarmonbarry BridgeNIAH(Regional)East of Tarmonbarry, Co. RoscommonCarries the N5 between Counties Roscommon and Longford.Bord na Móna rail bridge-c.2 km North of Lough Ree Power Station, LanesboroPrivate. Narrow-gauge railway line, used to transport peat from bog to nearby power station.Lanesboro bridge1835 – 1843, 1971NIAH(Regional)LanesboroLast crossing above Lough Ree. Links the twin towns of Lanesborough, on the County Longford (east) side and Ballyleague, on the County Roscommon (west) side of the river.Cumann na mBan Bridge1991-North of AthloneFirst crossing below Lough Ree. Carries the M6/N6 Athlone bypass. Previously known as the 'Athlone Relief Road - Shannon Bridge' & 'bypass bridge', renamed in 2015, with a ceremony held in June 2017White Bridge1850NIAHAthloneSituated c.200 m west of Athlone railway station. The Dublin–Westport/Galway railway line diverges c.200m west of the bridgeMary O'Rourke Bridge August 2023-Luan Gallery, AthloneCycle/Pedestrian Bridge. Carries the Dublin-Galway Greenway from the Radisson Hotel to the Luan Gallery. In spring 2019 the tendering was projected to be completed by 2020. Opened in August 2023. Renamed after Mary O'Rourke in May 2026.Road Bridge Athlone-AthloneCarries Custume Place (the R446, the old N6 Dublin - Galway Road). Links Athlone Castle and St. Peter and Paul's Church to the Eastern/Leinster side of Athlonebridge to Long Island (West bank only)-Long Island, Leamore, County RoscommonPrivate local road. Links Long Island to the west bank.Shannonbridge completed in 1757NIAHShannonbridge, County OffalyCarries R357 from Shannonbridge to County RoscommonBanagher bridge1841–1843 (widened 1971)NIAHNorthwest of BanagherCarries the R356 between Counties Offaly and Galway.Meelick weir pedestrian bridge2019-2020-Meelick Weir, Galway/Offaly borderCycle/pedestrian bridge. Carries the Beara-Breifne Way near Victoria Lock over the existing weir to an island in the river. At 300m, it is the longest pedestrian bridge on the island. Construction, by Waterways Ireland, began in March 2019, and the bridge opened in December 2020 (before being temporarily closed in January 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions).(The bridge rests on this weir.)Portumna bridge1911-East of PortumnaLast crossing above Lough Derg. Carries the N65 between Counties Tipperary and Galway. Connects Lehinch island to both banks.Killaloe Bridgec.1770NIAH(Regional)RPSClare CC & Tipperary CCBetween Ballina, County Tipperary and Killaloe, County ClareFirst crossing below Lough Derg. A single lane road bridge linking Counties Tipperary and ClareBrian Boru Bridge2025-Between Ballina, County Tipperary and Killaloe, County ClareOpened in 2025 to ease traffic congestion in Ballina and Killaloe. 1 km downstream from the aforementioned Killaloe Bridge. A large modern road bridge linking Counties Tipperary and ClareThe Ardnacrusha power plant headrace canal splits off from the Shannon c.4 km south of KillaloeXXmain Shannon crossingsO'Briensbridge (Shannon)1780 - 1810NIAH(Regional)East of the village of O'Briensbridge, Co. ClareCarries the R466 from O'Briensbridge, Co. Clare into Montpelier, County Limerick. Replaced former bridge around 1750, partially replaced in 1842, and modified to include a navigation arch in the 1920s.The Blackwater distributary river splits off to the west from the Shannon at DrumeenXXmain Shannon crossingsThe Living Bridge2007-University of Limerick main campusPedestrian bridge. Links the main campus on the south bank (in County Limerick) to student residences on the north bank (in County Clare).University Bridge2004-University of Limerick main campusLinks the main campus on the south bank (in County Limerick) to student residences on the north bank (in County Clare).Black Bridge/"Plassey Bridge"1840s-Plassey, County LimerickPedestrian bridge links Thomond Village, County Clare to the old mill works at Plassey, County LimerickXXBlackwater River crossingsErrina bridge-Errina, County ClareClose to the Ardnacrusha canal (which is (c.100m to the north)).bridge at Gillogue-East of Gillogue office park, County ClareNarrow single lane stone bridge. Unmarked lane.The Shannon and Blackwater rejoin at Thomond villageParteen Railway Bridge2010-Thomondgate, County LimerickCarries the Limerick-Galway railway line. Used until 1980s for Limerick-Claremorris line. Restored in early 2008.Athlunkard Bridge1825 - 1830NIAH(Regional)Corbally, Co. LimerickCarries the R463 between Corbally Road on the outskirts of Limerick city and Athlunkard Avenue in Corbally, County Clare.XXArdnacrusha headrace canal crossingscanal bridge, O'Briensbridge-West of the village of O'Briensbridge, Co. ClareCarries the R466 from O'Briensbridge into BridgetownArdnacrusha power plant1928-Southwest of Ardnacrusha within County Clare approximately from the Limerick borderESB Group private property. It is Ireland's largest river hydroelectric scheme.The Shannon and Ardnacrusha canal rejoin at Thomas IslandThe Shannon splits around King's Island in Limerick City with the Abbey river being a distributary branch to the eastXXAbbey River crossingsBaal's Bridge1830 - 1831NIAH(Regional)LimerickCarries Mary Street from George's Quay on King's Island to Charlotte's Quay on the south side of Limerick city. Replaced (old) Baal's Bridge, erected in c. 16th century, demolished in 1829, and bridges have stood here since at least the 12th century.Bishop O'Dwyer Bridge1931NIAH(Regional)LimerickCarries Athlunkard Street from Sir Harry's Mall to the Grove Island Roundabout. Named in honour of Edward O'Dwyer, Bishop of Limerick. Replaced Park Bridge built in 1835.Abbey Bridge1999-LimerickCarries Island Road from King's Island to the Milk Market. Named in honour of generations of the fishermen of the river Abbey, after a proposal to name it after Jim Kemmy was rejected.Mathew Bridge1844 - 1846NIAH(Regional)LimerickCarries Bridge Street (R463) from King's Island to Rutland Street on the south side of Limerick city.Sylvester O'Halloran Bridge1987-LimerickPedestrian Bridge from the Potato Market, King's Island to behind the Hunt Museum on the south side of Limerick city. XXShannon River crossings at King's IslandSarsfield Bridge1835NIAH(Regional)LimerickSwing bridge (non-functioning). Originally known as the Wellesley Bridge. Carries the R857 Ennis Road. The Shannon Rowing Club Boat house was based on an island under the bridge until it was damaged by Storm Darwin Thomond Bridge1840NIAH(Regional)LimerickLinks Castle Street on King's Island to High Road on the Northwest bank The Shannon and Abbey rejoin below Kings IslandShannon Bridge1986-LimerickCarries the R527 between Farranshore More and Mountkennet. Last bridge in the city and over the ShannonLimerick Tunnel2010-LimerickCarries the N18, Western part of the Limerick Southern Ring Road.Shannon Ferry1969-Killimer, County Clare - Tarbert Island, County KerryRo-ro ferry. Part of the N67Planned Crossings/Crossings Under ConstructionPedestrian Bridge/walkway Limerick 2022 onwards-Cleeves factory-O'Callaghan strand Limerick CityPedestrian Walkway or Bridge (under discussion)Pedestrian bridge, city canal, limerick 2022 onwards-Park canal limerick, 20 metres west of railway bridgePedestrian bridge connecting park
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