New Bridge In Cork - Select Image To View Photographs

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RECENTLY OPENED

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I photographed this twice, during my April 2026 visit to Cork, using a Leica Q3 and later a Sony A1 II as I am trying to decide which is better as a travel photography solution.

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The new bridge at Lambley’s Lane is a key feature of the "Beamish and Crawford Quarter" regeneration project. Recently named the Cumann na mBan Bridge, it forms one half of a strategic pair designed to reconnect the medieval heart of Cork City with its southern quays.

Why "Cumann na mBan Bridge"

The bridge was officially named in April 2026 following a public consultation and a vote by Cork City Council. The decision was driven by three main factors:

1. Commemorating Irish Women in History

The bridge honours Cumann na mBan, the Irish republican women’s paramilitary organisation founded in 1914. They were essential to the struggle for Irish independence, serving as the women’s wing of the Irish Volunteers and the IRA during the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence.

2. Addressing Gender Imbalance

Historically, Cork’s bridges have almost exclusively honoured men. Aside from the Nano Nagle Bridge, women were largely unrepresented in the city's infrastructure. The Council specifically sought to use this naming opportunity to recognise the massive contribution women have made to Irish history.

3. Geographical and Legal Logic

The "20-Year Rule": Council guidelines state that a person must be deceased for at least 20 years to have a bridge named after them. This disqualified many contemporary figures suggested by the public.

Historical Continuity: The bridge connects to a walkway already named Slí Cumann na mBan, creating a consistent historical "trail" in that part of the city.

Cork’s New Bridges (2026)

Cumann na mBan Bridge

Location: Connects Wandesford Quay (via Lambley’s Lane) to South Main Street. Honoree: The Irish Republican women's organization.

Séamus Murphy Bridge Location: Connects Proby’s Quay to South Main Street. Honoree: The renowned Cork sculptor, famous for works like the Church of the Annunciation.

"It has been really great to see the public engagement with the naming process... Many of the proposed names came with very valuable historic detail on why someone or a place should be remembered." ... Cllr. Kieran McCarthy, Local Historian

History of Lambley’s Lane

The name is far from new, though the lane itself was "lost" for many years.

Origins: It is named after Alderman William Lambley, who served as the Mayor of Cork in 1716.

The "Lost" Lane: It was a historic medieval laneway that appeared on maps as early as 1726. However, as the Beamish & Crawford brewery expanded over the centuries, the lane was effectively swallowed up and became a private internal thoroughfare within the brewery walls.

Restoration: Part of the current planning requirement for the brewery's redevelopment was the "reinstatement" of this historic right of way, bringing a 300-year-old street back into public use.

Leica Q3 Images - Select Image To View Photographs

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