Releagh Bridge

In the heart of Bonane, stands a remarkable relic of the past – the Releagh Bridge. It’s a sturdy gem connecting centuries. Constructed in 1836 by the Board of Public Works, this stone bridge played a crucial role in linking Kenmare to Glengarriff via the N71 national secondary road. Before this road’s existence, Bonane relied on the Priest’s Leap and the Esk Bridle Path as its sole connections to West Cork. However, those steep mountain routes were ill-suited for carriages.

The Releagh Bridge, strategically positioned in the townland of Releagh near today’s Bat House, was originally designed for horse carts and carriages. Yet, remarkably, it has weathered the test of time. Despite its historical origins, this bridge continues to bear the weight of modern traffic – cars, agricultural machinery, commercial lorries, and even large buses – making it Bonane’s sole surviving 19th-century stone bridge still in active use.

What sets Releagh Bridge apart, aside from its resilience, is its picturesque elegance. With three graceful arches, it ranks among Munster’s highest stone bridges. Its abutments and piers appear to emerge organically from the natural rock below. The voussoirs – those wedge-shaped stones forming the arches – alternate in color, creating a subtle visual rhythm, particularly on the western side.

Today, Releagh Bridge enjoys protected status, listed by Kerry County Council as a historic structure. So, next time you cross Releagh Bridge, pause for a moment – a testament to both engineering ingenuity and the passage of time.