List of crossings of the Shannon

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	Criteria
NIAH	Rated as a structure of National heritage by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
NIAH (Regional)	Rated as a structure of Regional heritage by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
RPS	Listed on the Record of Protected Structures of the named city or county council

Crossings in order from source to mouth

Crossing	Date	Coordinates	Heritage status	Locality	Notes	Image
The source of the River Shannon		54.23475°N 7.919°W / 54.23475; -7.919	-	Shannon Pot	Included for completeness
Bradán Feasa footbridge[1][2][3][4]		54.2346°N 7.9195°W / 54.2346; -7.9195 (Bradán Feasa footbridge, Shannon Pot)	-	Shannon Pot, County Cavan	Footbridge, built by the OPW, which crosses the infant Shannon about 20 meters downstream from the Shannon Pot
Dowra bridge	1862[5]	54.1896°N 8.0141°W / 54.1896; -8.0141 (Dowra bridge, Cavan)	NIAH (Regional)[6]	Dowra, County Cavan	Last crossing above Lough Allen. Carries the R200 between Counties Cavan and Leitrim.
Bellintra bridge[7]		54.0610°N 8.0598°W / 54.0610; -8.0598 (unnamed bridge, below Lough Allen)	-	Derrynadooey, County Roscommon[7]	First 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.[7]
R280 Bridge		54.0549°N 8.0680°W / 54.0549; -8.0680 (R280 Bridge)	-	Aghafin, County Roscommon/Mahanagh, County Leitrim	Carries the R280 between Counties Roscommon and Leitrim.
Battlebridge		53.9964°N 8.0786°W / 53.9964; -8.0786 (Battebridge)	-	Battlebridge, County Roscommon/Drumhierny, County Leitrim	Carries the R284 between Counties Roscommon and Leitrim.
Hartley bridge[8]	1915[8]	53.9672°N 8.095°W / 53.9672; -8.095 (Hartley bridge)	-	Cleaheen County Roscommon, 6 km west of Cootehall/County Roscommon, 3 km north of Carrick on Shannon, County Leitrim	Carries a minor road between Counties Roscommon and Leitrim. Leitrim County Council has plans to replace the bridge before 2030.[9]
Carrick Bridge[10]	1846[10]	53.943°N 8.0958°W / 53.943; -8.0958 (Carrick Bridge)	NIAH (Regional)[11]	Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim	Carries the N4 from through Carrick-on-Shannon crossing between Roscommon and Leitrim. Replaced an earlier bridge.[10]
Drumsna Railway Bridge[12][13]	2009[14][15]	53.906°N 7.9928°W / 53.906; -7.9928 (Lough Tap Railway Bridge)	-	Lough Tap, Border of Co. Roscommon & Leitrim	Carries 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.[14]
The Jamestown Canal bypasses a non-navigable section of the River Shannon between Jamestown and Drumsna
X X
main Shannon crossings
Jamestown Bridge	c. 1846[16]	53.9235°N 8.0298°W / 53.9235; -8.0298 (Jamestown Bridge)	NIAH (Regional)[16]	East of Jamestown, County Leitrim	First of two bridges carrying the L3656 from Jamestown to Drumsna through the northern tip of County Roscommon
Drumsna Bridge	1800s	53.9248°N 8.0113°W / 53.9248; -8.0113 (Drumsna Bridge)	NIAH (Regional)[17]	Southwest of Drumsna, County Leitrim	Second of two bridges carrying the L3656 from Jamestown to Drumsna through the northern tip of County Roscommon[17]
X X
Jamestown canal crossings
Unnamed Jamestown Canal Bridge (1)		53.9185°N 8.0317°W / 53.9185; -8.0317 (Jamestown Canal Bridge)	-	County Roscommon, 1 km south of Jamestown, 2 km South West of Drumsna, both in County Leitrim	Carries a minor road from the L3656 Jamestown/Drumsna Road to the L1405 Drumsna/Strokestown Road
Corry Bridge Jamestown Canal	c.1850	53.9127°N 8.0183°W / 53.9127; -8.0183 (Jamestown Canal Bridge)	NIAH (Regional)[18]	Corry, Co. Roscommon	Carries the L1405 from the L3656 Jamestown/Drumsna Road towards Strokestown
The Jamestown canal rejoins the Shannon at Lough Nanoge
Roosky Bridge	1840-1850	53.8326°N 7.9187°W / 53.8326; -7.9187 (Roosky Bridge)	NIAH (Regional)[19]	Roosky, Co. Roscommon	Carries the R371 between Counties Roscommon and Leitrim through Roosky.
Tarmonbarry Bridge		53.7421°N 7.9176°W / 53.7421; -7.9176 (Tarmonbarry Bridge)	NIAH (Regional)[20]	East of Tarmonbarry, Co. Roscommon	Carries the N5 between Counties Roscommon and Longford.
Bord na Móna rail bridge		53.7006°N 7.9848°W / 53.7006; -7.9848 (Bord na Móna rail bridge)	-	c.2 km North of Lough Ree Power Station, Lanesboro	Private. Narrow-gauge railway line, used to transport peat from bog to nearby power station.
Lanesboro bridge	1835 – 1843, 1971[21]	53.6743°N 7.9926°W / 53.6743; -7.9926 (Lanesboro Bridge)	NIAH (Regional)[21]	Lanesboro	Last 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 Bridge[22][23][24][25]	1991[23]	53.4322°N 7.9558°W / 53.4322; -7.9558 (N6 Athlone bypass)	-	North of Athlone	First 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 2017[22][23][25][24]
White Bridge[26][27][28]	1850[29]	53.4272°N 7.9459°W / 53.4272; -7.9459 (White Bridge (Athlone))	NIAH[30]	Athlone	Situated c.200 m west of Athlone railway station. The Dublin–Westport/Galway railway line diverges c.200m west of the bridge
Athlone Greenway Bridge[31]	August 2023[32]	53.424331327303°N 7.942520174507595°W / 53.424331327303; -7.942520174507595 (Athlone Greenway Bridge)[29]	-	Luan Gallery, Athlone	Cycle/Pedestrian Bridge. Carries the Dublin-Galway Greenway from the Radisson Hotel to the Luan Gallery.[29][33] 2022 onwards[needs update][34][29][35][36] In spring 2019 the tendering was projected to be completed by 2020.[37] In December 2021, it was expected to open by Easter 2023.[38]
Road Bridge Athlone		53.4237°N 7.9419°W / 53.4237; -7.9419 (Shannon Bridge Athlone)	-	Athlone	Carries 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 Athlone
bridge to Long Island (West bank only)		53.378085°N 7.9188077°W / 53.378085; -7.9188077 (Long Island, Co. Roscommon)	-	Long Island, Leamore, County Roscommon	Private local road. Links Long Island to the west bank.
Shannonbridge	completed in 1757[39]	53.2797°N 8.0509°W / 53.2797; -8.0509 (Shannonbridge, Co. Offaly)	NIAH[40]	Shannonbridge, County Offaly	Carries R357 from Shannonbridge to County Roscommon
Banagher bridge	1841–1843 (widened 1971)	53.1934°N 7.9926°W / 53.1934; -7.9926 (Banagher Bridge, Offaly)	NIAH[41]	Northwest of Banagher	Carries the R356 between Counties Offaly and Galway.
Meelick weir pedestrian bridge	2019-2020[42][43]	53.174902°N 8.075972°W / 53.174902; -8.075972 (Meelick Weir, County Galway)[43]	-	Meelick Weir, Galway/Offaly border	Cycle/pedestrian bridge. Carries the Beara-Breifne Way near Victoria Lock over the existing weir to an island in the river.[43] At 300m, it is the longest pedestrian bridge on the island.[43] Construction, by Waterways Ireland, began in March 2019,[43] and the bridge opened in December 2020 (before being temporarily closed in January 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions).[44]	(The bridge rests on this weir.)
Portumna bridge	1911	53.0911°N 8.1938°W / 53.0911; -8.1938 (Portumna Bridge, Tipperary)	-	East of Portumna	Last crossing above Lough Derg. Carries the N65 between Counties Tipperary and Galway. Connects Lehinch island to both banks.
Killaloe Bridge	c.1770[45]	52.808115°N 8.439110°W / 52.808115; -8.439110 (Killaloe Bridge, Clare)	NIAH (Regional)[45] RPS Clare CC & Tipperary CC[46][47]	Between Ballina, County Tipperary and Killaloe, County Clare	First crossing below Lough Derg. A single lane road bridge linking Counties Tipperary and Clare
The Ardnacrusha power plant headrace canal splits off from the Shannon c.4 km south of Killaloe
X X
main Shannon crossings
O'Briensbridge (Shannon)	1780 - 1810[48]	52.7522°N 8.4985°W / 52.7522; -8.4985 (O'Briens Bridge (Shannon))	NIAH (Regional)[48]	East of the village of O'Briensbridge, Co. Clare	Carries 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.[49]
The Blackwater distributary river splits off to the west from the Shannon at Drumeen
X X
main Shannon crossings
The Living Bridge	2007	52.6768°N 8.5702°W / 52.6768; -8.5702 (Living Bridge, Limerick)	-	University of Limerick main campus	Pedestrian bridge. Links the main campus on the south bank (in County Limerick) to student residences on the north bank (in County Clare).
University Bridge	2004	52.678°N 8.5763°W / 52.678; -8.5763 (University Bridge, Limerick)	-	University of Limerick main campus	Links the main campus on the south bank (in County Limerick) to student residences on the north bank (in County Clare).
Black Bridge/ "Plassey Bridge"[50]	1840s	52.678088°N 8.580037°W / 52.678088; -8.580037 (Black bridge, Plassey, County Limerick)	-	Plassey, County Limerick	Pedestrian bridge links Thomond Village, County Clare to the old mill works at Plassey, County Limerick
X X
Blackwater River crossings
Errina bridge[51]		52.7331°N 8.5333°W / 52.7331; -8.5333 (Errina bridge)	-	Errina, County Clare	Close to the Ardnacrusha canal (which is (c.100m to the north)).
bridge at Gillogue		52.6859°N 8.572°W / 52.6859; -8.572 (Gillogue bridge)	-	East of Gillogue office park, County Clare	Narrow single lane stone bridge. Unmarked lane.
The Shannon and Blackwater rejoin at Thomond village
Parteen Railway Bridge[52]	2010	52.6813°N 8.6279°W / 52.6813; -8.6279 (Parteen Railway Bridge)	-	Thomondgate, County Limerick	Carries the Limerick-Galway railway line. Used until 1980s for Limerick-Claremorris line. Restored in early 2008.
Athlunkard Bridge	1825 - 1830[53]	52.6812°N 8.6099°W / 52.6812; -8.6099 (Athlunkard Bridge, Limerick)	NIAH (Regional)[53]	Corbally, Co. Limerick	Carries the R463 between Corbally Road on the outskirts of Limerick city and Athlunkard Avenue in Corbally, County Clare.
X X
Ardnacrusha headrace canal crossings
canal bridge, O'Briensbridge		52.753°N 8.5068°W / 52.753; -8.5068 (O'Briens Bridge (Ardnacrusha canal))	-	West of the village of O'Briensbridge, Co. Clare	Carries the R466 from O'Briensbridge into Bridgetown
Ardnacrusha power plant	1928	52.705594°N 8.612313°W / 52.705594; -8.612313 (Ardnacrusha power plant)	-	Southwest of Ardnacrusha within County Clare approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the Limerick border	ESB Group private property. It is Ireland's largest river hydroelectric scheme.
The Shannon and Ardnacrusha canal rejoin at Thomas Island
The Shannon splits around King's Island in Limerick City with the Abbey river being a distributary branch to the east
X X
Abbey River crossings
Baal's Bridge[54][55]	1830 - 1831[54]	52.6663°N 8.6202°W / 52.6663; -8.6202 (Baal's Bridge, Limerick)	NIAH (Regional)[54]	Limerick	Carries 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.[56][57]
Bishop O'Dwyer Bridge[58]	1931[58]	52.6694°N 8.618°W / 52.6694; -8.618 (O'Dwyer Bridge, Limerick)	NIAH (Regional)[59]	Limerick	Carries Athlunkard Street from Sir Harry's Mall to the Grove Island Roundabout. Named in honour of Edward O'Dwyer, Bishop of Limerick.[58] Replaced Park Bridge built in 1835.[58]
Abbey Bridge[60]	1999[60]	52.6666°N 8.6193°W / 52.6666; -8.6193 (Abbey Bridge, Limerick)	-	Limerick	Carries 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.[60]
Mathew Bridge[61]	1844 - 1846[61]	52.6669°N 8.6237°W / 52.6669; -8.6237 (Mathew Bridge, Limerick)	NIAH (Regional)[61]	Limerick	Carries Bridge Street (R463) from King's Island to Rutland Street on the south side of Limerick city.
Sylvester O'Halloran Bridge[62]	1987[62]	52.6653°N 8.6238°W / 52.6653; -8.6238 (Sylvester O'Halloran Bridge, Limerick)	-	Limerick	Pedestrian Bridge from the Potato Market, King's Island to behind the Hunt Museum on the south side of Limerick city.
X X
Shannon River crossings at King's Island
Sarsfield Bridge[63]	1835[63]	52.6654°N 8.6303°W / 52.6654; -8.6303 (Sarsfield Bridge, Limerick)	NIAH (Regional)[64]	Limerick	Swing bridge (non-functioning).[63] Originally known as the Wellesley Bridge.[63] 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[63]
Thomond Bridge	1840[65]	52.670304°N 8.627174°W / 52.670304; -8.627174 (Thomond Bridge, Limerick)	NIAH (Regional)[65]	Limerick	Links Castle Street on King's Island to High Road on the Northwest bank
The Shannon and Abbey rejoin below Kings Island
Shannon Bridge	1986	52.6623°N 8.6351°W / 52.6623; -8.6351 (Shannon Bridge, Limerick)	-	Limerick	R527, last bridge in the city and over the Shannon
Limerick Tunnel[66]	2010	52.6552°N 8.6868°W / 52.6552; -8.6868 (Limerick Tunnel)	-	Limerick	Carries the N18, Western part of the Limerick Southern Ring Road.[66]
Shannon Ferry	1969[67]	52.6147°N 9.3804°W / 52.6147; -9.3804 (Shannon Ferry)	-	Killimer, County Clare - Tarbert Island, County Kerry	Ro-ro ferry. Part of the N67
Planned Crossings/Crossings Under Construction
Killaloe Bypass bridge [a]	completion due early 2025[69][70][71]	52.799°N 8.436°W / 52.799; -8.436 (Killaloe bypass bridge (proposed), Clare)[72]	-	Killaloe, Co. Clare	Bypass bridge approximately 1 km south of Killaloe, off the R494.[73][74] November 2022onwards[needs update][75][76][72] €8M funding reserved for the project by the Transport Department.[77][78][79][80]
Pedestrian Bridge/walkway Limerick [b]	2022 onwards[81]		-	Cleeves factory-O'Callaghan strand Limerick City	Pedestrian Walkway or Bridge (under discussion)[81][82][83][84][85]
Pedestrian bridge, city canal, limerick [c]	2022 onwards[86]	52.668°N 8.6075°W / 52.668; -8.6075 (city canal pedestrian bridge (proposed), Limerick)[86]	-	Park canal limerick, 20 metres west of railway bridge[86]	Pedestrian bridge connecting park

1. Name to be determined^[68]
2. Name to be determined^[81]
3. Name to be determined^[86]