A new boardwalk, designed to provide a safe way for pedestrians to cross the River Blackwater in Mallow was officially opened by the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan on Monday, June 20th, 2022.
The segregated boardwalk runs the length of Mallow Bridge and is designed to safely and comfortably accommodate pedestrians, wheelchair users, and people pushing buggies. An additional lane has also been created on the bridge giving extra capacity and reducing the journey time for road vehicles.
The Boardwalk Project was funded by Cork County Council, the National Transport Authority, and with €1m from the European Regional Development Fund through the Southern & Eastern Regional Programme 2014-20 managed by the Southern Regional Assembly.
Mallow bridge has been inexistence for more than 400 years with the early timber structures dating back to 1615. The first stone bridge was constructed in 1712 and, despite being damaged by the Great Flood of 1853, four of the arches remain. The bridge spanning the river today was reconstructed with four new arches in 1856 and carries approximately 15,000 vehicles every day.
The boardwalk has been named in honour of former Councillor Dan Joe Fitzgerald, a popular local businessman and politician, Dan Joe was first elected to Mallow Town Council in 1994 and to Cork County Council in 1999 where he served until his death in March 2016.
The Mayor of the County of Cork and Regional Assembly Member, Cllr Gillian Coughlan said, “Thousands of vehicles drive over the bridge every day to access Mallow Town Centre. However, each of the bridges that stood here were built well before the arrival of the first motorcar in Ireland and with pedestrians, horses and carts in mind. I am delighted that the new boardwalk puts the focus on pedestrians once again, ensuring that they can safely walk into Mallow Town Centre separate from the busy traffic.”
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey added, “The Cllr. Dan Joe Fitzgerald Boardwalk is a wonderful addition to the town. I would like to commend all involved in this challenging project. Mallow Bridge is a protected structure and the boardwalk was designed to minimise the visual impact upon the bridge”.
Leas Cathaoirleach of the Southern Regional Assembly, Cllr. Gerard Murphy said, “I congratulate Cork County Council on the Mallow Boardwalk project, and how they have used ERDF funding through the Southern Regional Assembly to deliver for the people of Mallow”.